Kenneth Hodgkins was with the U.S. Department of State from 1987 to 2019 and served as the Director for the U.S. Office of Space and Advanced Technology in the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science. The office is responsible for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in civil and commercial space and high technology activities, including the International Space Station, collaboration in global navigation satellite systems, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and nanotechnology, and represents the Department in national space policy review and development. ​

At the Department of State, Mr. Hodgkins was the U.S. Representative to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), as well as the Alternate Representative for the Committee’s Scientific and Technical and Legal Subcommittees from 1987 to 2019. Hodgkins is the leading authoritative voice within the United States on the procedures and dynamics of the Committee and its sub-committees.​

​In 2010 and 2017, respectively, Mr. Hodgkins was the first and only Department of State recipient of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ International Cooperation Award and the American Astronautical Society’s award for Advancement of International Cooperation.  He was also named by GPS World as a “GNSS Leader to Watch in 2009-2010.” Mr. Hodgkins is a member elect of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). Mr. Hodgkins was awarded by the University of Maine in May 2017 an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. In September of 2017, he was awarded by the IAA the Social Sciences Award for significant contributions to the advancement of astronautical sciences.

As a key member of The North World Approach, Mr. Hodgkins brings decades of experience in international diplomacy, space policy, and global governance. His expertise in negotiating multilateral agreements and shaping international frameworks will be instrumental in developing a structured, cooperative, and sustainable governance model for the Arctic. His deep understanding of policy coordination between nations ensures that The North World Approach remains at the forefront of diplomatic and regulatory solutions for this rapidly evolving region.

Mr. Hodgkins is the on the Advisory Council of The North World Approach, Co-Chair of The Off-World Approach and an Honorary Senior Advisor of The Hague Institute for Global Justice.