Terms of use

1. Organizational purpose and scope

• 1.1 THI is an independent educational and research-focused initiative committed to the advancement of astrosociology—the multidisciplinary study of the social, cultural, and behavioral dimensions of humanity’s engagement with outer space. Our mission is to examine how space-related sciences, technologies, and policies intersect with human societies, institutions, and values, in alignment with emerging scholarship.

• 1.2 The Services provided by THI are intended to foster scholarly dialogue, public education, and collaborative exploration. They are not offered as, nor should they be construed as, legal advice, financial advice, medical advice, or professional consultancy of any kind.

• 1.3 THI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to expand, modify, restrict, suspend, or discontinue any portion of the Services without notice.

2. Eligibility and user responsibilities

• 2.1 By using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

  (a) you are at least eighteen (18) years of age or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction;

  (b) you possess the legal authority to enter into this Agreement; and

  (c) you will use the Services only in compliance with these Terms and applicable law.

• 2.2 You agree that you are solely responsible for:

  (a) maintaining the confidentiality of any account credentials or access codes you may receive;

  (b) ensuring that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete;

  (c) the consequences of any activity conducted under your credentials, whether authorized by you or not.

• 2.3 Users may not, under any circumstances, misrepresent themselves as agents, officers, employees, or representatives of THI unless expressly authorized in writing.

3. Intellectual property rights

• 3.1 Unless otherwise indicated, all text, research outputs, data, graphics, photographs, logos, audiovisual materials, digital assets, design elements, and other content available through the Services (collectively, “Content”) are the sole property of THI or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable intellectual property laws.

• 3.2 Subject to your compliance with these Terms, THI grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and use the Content strictly for personal, educational, or non-commercial research purposes.

• 3.3 Except as expressly authorized in writing, you may not:

  (a) copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, download, display, post, or transmit any Content in any form;

  (b) modify or create derivative works based on the Content;

  (c) use any trademarks, service marks, or logos belonging to THI without prior written consent.

• 3.4 Unauthorized use of Content may result in civil and/or criminal liability under applicable laws.

4. Acceptable use and prohibited conduct

• 4.1 By using the Services, you agree not to:

  (a) engage in any unlawful, fraudulent, or misleading activity;

  (b) interfere with the functionality, security, or accessibility of the Services;

  (c) upload, transmit, or distribute harmful code, viruses, or disruptive technologies;

  (d) misappropriate or misuse any data, documentation, or resources made available by THI;

  (e) engage in conduct that, in THI’s sole discretion, restricts or inhibits any other User from enjoying the Services.

• 4.2 THI reserves the right to investigate suspected violations of this Section and to pursue all remedies available under law, including reporting such violations to law enforcement authorities.

5. Research, educational content, and disclaimers

• 5.1 The Services may include research-based publications, theoretical essays, surveys, or materials inspired by ongoing academic discussions in astrosociology and related disciplines. These materials are provided for informational purposes only.
  
  

• 5.2 While THI endeavors to maintain academic rigor, we make no representation or warranty that any Content is complete, accurate, or applicable to your circumstances.
  
  

• 5.3 Reliance on any Content or participation in any THI programs is at your sole risk. You agree that you are solely responsible for evaluating the accuracy, usefulness, and appropriateness of any information provided.

6. Privacy and data protection

• 6.1 THI is committed to protecting your privacy. By using the Services, you consent to the collection, storage, and use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
  
  

• 6.2 We may collect both personally identifiable information (such as name, address, or email) and non-personal data (such as usage metrics, browser type, or cookies).
  
  

• 6.3 Except as required by law or expressly authorized by you, THI will not sell, rent, or otherwise disclose your information to third parties.

7. Third-party content and links

• 7.1 The Services may contain hyperlinks to external websites or references to third-party entities, including academic institutions, governmental bodies, or private organizations. These links are provided solely for convenience.
  
  

• 7.2 THI does not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of any third-party sites. Accessing such sites is at your own risk and subject to their respective terms of use.

8. Limitation of liability

• 8.1 To the maximum extent permitted by law, THI, its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and contributors shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Services.
  
  

• 8.2 THI shall not be held responsible for:

  (a) any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in the Content;

  (b) unauthorized access to or use of our servers and/or any personal information stored therein;

  (c) any interruption, suspension, or termination of the Services.
  
  

• 8.3 Your sole and exclusive remedy for dissatisfaction with the Services is to discontinue use.

9. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless THI, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in any way connected with:

(a) your use or misuse of the Services;

(b) your violation of these Terms;

(c) your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights.

10. Modifications to terms

THI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend, update, or revise these Terms at any time. All modifications will be effective immediately upon posting to the Services. Your continued use following such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

11. Governing law and jurisdiction

• 11.1 These Terms shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the United Kingdom, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
  
  

• 11.2 Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within the United Kingdom, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

12. Severability and waiver

• 12.1 If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
  
  

• 12.2 No waiver of any provision or right shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other.

13. Entire agreement

These Terms, together with any referenced policies (including the Privacy Policy), constitute the entire agreement between you and THI with respect to your use of the Services, superseding all prior or contemporaneous understandings, whether written or oral.

14. Contact information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at hi@thehumaninitiative.org.