A new initiative at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, the SETI Post-Detection Hub, is dedicated to one purpose: preparing for humanity’s potential contact with an intelligent extraterrestrial civilization. Led by John Elliott, a computational linguist and coordinator of the hub, this research center addresses an often-overlooked question—what happens after first contact?

Elliott and his team believe that if aliens reached out to Earth tomorrow, humanity would be ill-equipped to handle such an unprecedented event. “We’d be like headless chickens,” he told The Guardian, likening the situation to the disarray seen in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elliott emphasized that the scientific, social, and political mismanagement in such an event could lead to chaos. To avoid this, the Post-Detection Hub aims to create a strategic and coordinated response plan that could prevent panic and ensure efficient handling of extraterrestrial contact.

The SETI Post-Detection Hub is focused on looking beyond the initial search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and taking the next steps to prepare for post-detection actions. Unlike existing efforts that focus on listening for alien signals, Elliott’s team is concerned with the “what next” scenario, including a centralized protocol that could bring together scientists, policymakers, and global organizations to respond to an alien signal.

In their work, Elliott and his team are building frameworks for a response that would need to balance scientific exploration with caution. This preparation requires intense coordination among international bodies, potentially involving the United Nations and other influential institutions. Elliott noted that dealing with alien contact could require navigating massive bureaucratic challenges, with extensive documentation, regulations, and diplomatic coordination among nations.

An active debate within the SETI community concerns whether humanity should respond at all if we receive a message from extraterrestrial intelligence. Many experts argue that revealing our presence to alien civilizations is a risky move that could lead to catastrophic consequences, including potential hostility from technologically superior beings. Despite this debate, Elliott believes that communication with alien life represents a unique opportunity for humanity and that the potential benefits of learning from another civilization could outweigh the risks. He stated, “If we have the opportunity, I don’t think we should miss it,” underscoring his position that human curiosity and the desire to connect should guide the response.

By establishing the SETI Post-Detection Hub, Elliott and his colleagues are looking to ensure that humanity is ready for this scenario—no matter how unlikely it may seem. The hub’s ultimate goal is to prevent uncoordinated responses that could result in widespread confusion or fear. With SETI programs and astronomers worldwide already committed to detecting extraterrestrial signals, the Post-Detection Hub represents a shift towards considering humanity’s long-term relationship with potential alien life.

Though contact remains hypothetical, Elliott believes that having a response plan in place is crucial, especially given the pace of advancements in astronomical technology and the likelihood of detecting signs of life beyond Earth. As the search for extraterrestrial life continues, the SETI Post-Detection Hub could be a key step in shaping a unified, thoughtful response—one that balances scientific exploration with caution and preparation, marking humanity’s readiness to enter a new era of cosmic connection.