Francisco Del Canto Viterale
-
Assistant Professor, Space Studies
- Social Space Studies; International Scientific Relations; International Space Relations; Geopolitics of Outer Space; Space Security; Space Diplomacy; Space Cooperation; Space Economy; Systems Models; Interdisciplinary Approach
Contact Info
- Email: f.delcantoviterale@UND.edu
- Office: 701.777.3462
Office Address
Clifford Hall Room 516
4149 University Ave Stop 9008
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9008
Biography
Dr. Del Canto Viterale currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Space Studies in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Also, he is a Research Associate at the Institute of Science and Technology Studies at the University of Salamanca, Spain, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Artefactos Journal of Science and Technology Studies.
His core area of knowledge is Social Science, and his area of specialization is the intersection between Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and International Relations (IR) with special emphasis on International Space Relations, Space Policy, and Space Diplomacy.
Dr. Del Canto Viterale has been working in academia for over 20 years in several countries. A substantial portion of his academic work has involved researching and teaching Social Science and Space Studies. He has extensive experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in a wide variety of topics within Social Science, International Relations, and Space Studies (International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, Science & Technology Policy and Diplomacy, Space Policy and Diplomacy, international economy, Advanced Social Research Methods, etc.)
Dr. Del Canto Viterale has conducted research for over twenty years on topics related to International Scientific Relations, Science and Innovation Policy, International Space Relations, Science and Space Diplomacy, and Systems Modeling. Because of his research work, Dr. Del Canto Viterale has published an innovative book called “International Scientific Relations” which summarizes 15 years of research work. Additionally, he has published several methodological and theoretical journal articles related to those issues.
Dr. Del Canto Viterale received his Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Deusto (Spain) in January 2014, and he was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Systems Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2014-2016). Prior to his doctorate, he earned a Bachelor of Science in International Relations (1998), a Post-Graduate in International Affairs and Diplomacy (1999) in Argentina, and a Masters in International Migrations, Cooperation and Conflict (2011) in Spain.
- SpSt 270 - History of Space Age
- SpSt 360 - NASA
- SpSt 450 - International Space Programs
- SpSt 540 - Space Economics and Commerce
- SpSt 551 - History of Space Age
- SpSt 553 - Space Diplomacy and Space Cooperation
- SpSt 554 - Geopolitics of Outer Space
- SpSt 562 - Soviet/Russian Space Program
- SpSt 563 - China's Space Program
- SpSt 570 - Global Governance of Space
RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST:
- Social Space Studies
- International Scientific Relations
- International Space Relations
- Geopolitics of Outer Space
- International Space Cooperation
- Space Diplomacy
- Space Ecosystems
- Space Policy
- Global Space Economy
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Models
- Interdisciplinary Approach
- Social Science Methods
RESEARCH PROJECTS:
- "Building a Space Hub in Grand Forks” - Funding/Award - John D Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences Research Seed Grant Program 2023.
- This research project addresses an important conceptual gap in the literature, as well as a practitioner’s gap: the research project aims to analyze the new political, economic, and social relevance of space hubs. The main research question and general objective of the investigation will focus on how small and medium-sized cities are trying to build up and improve local space ecosystems. The project will pursue an in-depth case study of a space hub, the city of Grand Forks, ND (GFK).
- “Geopolitical and Geo-economics Implications on Recent Advances in Space Propulsion and Hypersonic Technologies” - Funding/Award - Early Career Scholar Program 2024.
- This research project seeks to understand the rapidly changing security environment in space by bringing together technical expertise around space propulsion and hypersonic technology and international relations.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2025). Global Power Dynamics in the Contemporary Space System. Systems, 13(4), 276
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2025). The Scientific and Technological Space Race in the 21st Century. IX Research, Development and Innovation Congress, International University of Science and Technology, March 3rd, 2025. 31-55.
- Ahumada, A., Del Canto Viterale, F. (2024). Securing the Final Frontier: An Assessment of the United States Space Force’s Cybersecurity Capabilities. Astropolitics, 22:3, 145-169
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2024). The Emergence of Space Innovation Hubs: A Case Study of Grand Forks, USA. 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Milan, Italy.
- Del Canto Viterale, F., Crisman, K., de León, P., Dodge, M., Fernández-Tous, M., Fevig, R., Fieber-Beyer, S., Kugler, D. (2024). Pioneering Space Education at the Postgraduate Level – A Case Study of the Department of Space Studies, University of North Dakota. 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Milan, Italy.
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2024) Global Governance of the Space System: A Multilevel Governance Analysis. Systems. Volume 12, Issue 9, Pages 318
- Del Canto Viterale, F. and Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024) Electric Propulsion in Space: Technology and Geopolitics. Journal Astropolitics, pp. 1-30
- Bianco, A. and Del Canto Viterale, F. (2024) The Complexity of Outer Space as a Global Challenge in 21st Century Society. Central European Political Science Review, Summer 2024, Volume 25, Number 96, pp. 111-132.
- James, P., Del Canto Viterale, F. (2024). The dawn of a New Space Age: implications for twenty-first century international security. In: Gibson, T. Jefferson, K., Editors .2024. International Security Studies and Technology. Edward Elgar Publishing
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2023) Transitioning to a New Space Age in the 21st Century: A Systemic-Level Approach, Systems, 11, 5, p. 232
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2021) International Scientific Relations. London: Anthem Press
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2020) Building Bridges Between Science, Technology, Innovation, and Global Affairs: A New Graduate Program. Global Research in Higher Education, Vol. 3, No. 4 December 2020.
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2019) Developing a Systems Architecture Model to Study the Science, Technology, and Innovation in International Studies. Systems-MDPI, 2019, 7, 46.
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2019) Relaciones Científicas Internacionales: Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación en el sistema internacional del siglo XXI. Roma: Aracne Editrice
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2018) University as a global actor in the international system of the 21st Century. Tuning Journal for Higher Education, Vol 6, No 1 (2018).
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2013) Systemic Perspective of the International Structure of Scientific Knowledge. New Atlantis, n.2, 2013.
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2013) Nueva estructura geopolítica y geoeconómica del conocimiento científico. Revista Vasca de Sociología y Ciencia Política, ISSN 0214-7912, N.º 55-56, 2013, págs. 1574-1594.
- Del Canto Viterale, F. (2011) New Migratory Era. In: INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITIES OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS (ICUSTA). (2011). Globalization: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. (pp. 81-117). La Roche Sur Yon: Institut Catholique d'Études Supérieures.
- Early Career Scholar Award 2024, VP Research and Economic Development, University of North Dakota. (December 11, 2024).
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University. (February 7, 2014 – July 30, 2016).
- Post-Doctoral Researcher, 2016, Johns Hopkins University, United States
- Certificate Preparing Future Faculty Teaching Academy, 2017, Johns Hopkins University, United States
- Ph.D., 2014, International Studies, University of Deusto, Spain
- M.A., 2011, International Migration, Cooperation and Conflict, University of Deusto, Spain
- Postgraduate, 1999, Pedagogy in International Affairs and Diplomacy, University of Salvador, Argentina
- B.A. 1998, International Relations, University of Salvador, Argentina
- International Studies Association (ISA) – Section Science, Technology and Arts in International Relations Member
- Southwestern Social Science Association (SSSA) - Section International Studies and Interdisciplinary - Program Chair International Studies (2024-2025)
- Southwestern Social Science Association (SSSA) - Section International Studies and Interdisciplinary - President International Studies (2025-2026)
- World Complexity Science Academy (WCSA) - Vice president (2024-2025)
- Institute of Science and Technology Studies - University of Salamanca (Spain) - Research Associate (2023-2025)
- Artefactos Journal of Science and Technology Studies - University of Salamanca (Spain) - Co-Editor
- Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI) - Space Working Group Member
- Visual International Relations Project - University of Southern California, Center for International Studies - Board Member
- North Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program - Reviewer
- Johns Hopkins University Postdoc Association - Member