Inspirational speaker, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, is an award-winning space scientist and one of the UK’s most dynamic communicators of science. Known for her ability to make complex ideas accessible and engaging, Maggie inspires audiences across the board.

Her acclaimed BBC Two documentary Do We Really Need the Moon? won the Talkback Thames New Talent Award at the Women in Film and TV Awards, leading to the follow-up programme Do We Really Need Satellites? She has since become a familiar face on British television, appearing on The One Show, Channel 4’s Brave New World, Sky One’s Ducks Quack Don’t Echo, and co-presenting The Sky at Night on BBC Four. She also brings astronomy to young children through CBeebies’ Mini Stargazing.

Background

Maggie’s journey into science is as captivating as her work. Having attended 13 schools and diagnosed with dyslexia, she defied early expectations thanks to an enduring fascination with space—sparked by The Clangers and Star Trek—and the encouragement of her father. She went on to earn a degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London.

Her career spans both industry and academia, where she has led multidisciplinary teams to develop bespoke scientific instruments, from handheld land-mine detectors to optical systems for the James Webb Space Telescope, a major ESA/NASA collaboration. As Lead Scientist at Astrium, she contributed to cutting-edge research for the European Space Agency and NASA.

Media

Maggie is also a frequent contributor across radio and television, including BBC Breakfast, Doctor Who Confidential, Woman’s Hour, The Cosmos: A Beginner’s Guide, and Big, Bigger, Biggest Telescopes. She has appeared on Desert Island Discs and has been widely recognised for her work promoting science, receiving accolades including Red magazine’s “Red Hot Women” Award and being named a Woman of Outstanding Achievement by GetSET Women. She was awarded an MBE for services to science and education and was listed among the UK’s top 10 most influential Black Britons in the Power List. In 2023 she was honoured as a Mattel “Barbie Role Model,” and in 2024 she was made a Dame in the New Year Honours. She also served as President of the British Science Association from 2022–2023.

Author

An accomplished author, Maggie has written several books, including The Story of the Solar System, Am I Made of Stardust?—a guide for young scientists—and her most recent work, The Sky at Night: The Art of Stargazing (2023).

Inspirational speaker

Today, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a sought-after keynote speaker, celebrated for her infectious enthusiasm, her powerful personal story, and her commitment to opening the doors of science to everyone.

“So inspiring” Great Exhibition Road Festival

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