Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Dame Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, PhD, is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science to a general audience and demonstrating that you “don’t need a brain the size of a small planet” to understand, participate in, and enjoy science.

She studied at Imperial College, where she obtained her degree in physics and her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Throughout her career, she has developed novel, bespoke instrumentation for high-profile projects, including:

• The James Webb Space Telescope
• Various satellites monitoring climate change

To further share her passion for science, in 2004, Maggie Aderin-Pocock founded Science Innovation Ltd. Through this company, she conducts public engagement activities, sharing her love of space and encouraging under-represented communities to take up STEM.

As a prominent science communicator, her achievements include:

• Co-hosting the world’s longest-running science television programme, The Sky at Night
• Winning a Royal Society book prize for her children’s book, Am I Made of Stardust?
• Receiving the Institute of Physics gold medal for exceptional services to science education
• Serving as the President of the British Science Association
• Serving as the current Chancellor of the University of Leicester

She was made a Dame in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list for her immense contributions to the field.