Iya Whiteley

Dr Iya Whiteley is a revolutionary space psychologist, with over 25 years of experience tapping into our equally unexplored Inner Space to strengthen our human potential to reach beyond Earth orbit and further reaches of Outer Space. She is constantly discovering creative ways of living and working together in environments where the team relies on their own abilities, skills and limited resources. Currently, the Director of the Centre for Space Medicine at Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London (UCL), Iya is researching applied ways of monitoring and improving well being of astronauts and applications of these techniques and technology to improve our everyday life on Earth. When looking for an expert speaker on applied space psychology, human factors, design of visual information presentation, team training and selection, call to book Dr Iya Whiteley today. 

Having completed a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction in Australia at the Swinburne University of Technology and UK at the University of Bath, Iya improved military pilots' decision-making speed by 200% with significantly fewer errors. The results of her PhD work led to lectures at NASA Ames, Boeing and receiving the US Air Force Research Laboratory award. In her varied experience, Iya supported NATO UK/Russia negotiations on the design of the emergency submarine rescue vehicle; led studies in linguistic and cultural misunderstandings, established working scientific collaborations between UCL (UK), the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (US), the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City and the Institute of Biomedical Science (Russia).

In 2017, Iya was sought to work as an Expert Presenter on Space Psychology for BBC Science. Iya worked on the BBC Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? programme with retired Canadian astronaut, Commander of the International Space Station (ISS), Chris Hadfield and Dr Kevin Fong, the expert in aerospace and emergency medicine. Together, they extensively tested and selected the one candidate to be recommended to become a future astronaut candidate. At this stage, Iya also turned her hand to writing, authoring Toolkit For A Space Psychologist: To Support Astronauts In Exploration Missions To The Moon and Mars.

Iya’s illustrious career began as a Clinical Psychologist and Aviation Psychologist for Emirates Airline – conducting psychometric evaluations of candidates from over 70 nationalities in the aviation recruitment process. Finding a passion for psychology and aviation, Iya then went on to become the Lead Human Factors Engineer for Marshall Aerospace and a Human Factors Consultant for SEA Group working on MoD and ESA projects. Headhunted to work at the European Astronaut Centre, she designed training programmes for astronauts. Transitioning from the applied to the academic field, Iya became the Deputy Director of the Centre for Space Medicine at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at UCL, in 2011. Later promoted to Director, Iya has worked with the Centre for over a decade, advising the UK Space Agency and chairing the Space Environment Working Group. 

She led the first UK Human Space Flight research effort, after the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher cancelled UK participation in the ESA Human Space Flight programme. Iya directed ESA Study on the development of Technology and Techniques for Psychological Support of the crew during exploration missions to the Moon and Mars. Today, Iya is a broadly qualified expert on human-computer interaction, experience in clinical psychology, cockpit design and multicultural crew selection.

With such a decorated career as a space psychologist, Iya is frequently requested by the New Scientist Live, the Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, companies and schools. Now, highly sought after as a speaker, Iya shares her expertise on working with highly trained professionals, from military officials to astronauts and surgeons. If you are looking for an engaging speech on space or to learn more on the intricacies of space psychology, don’t hesitate in hiring Dr Iya Whiteley today.