British space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a popular figure within the science arena. Maggie has worked on a variety of projects, in industrial, academic and government sectors. A graduate of Imperial College London, Maggie obtained a degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering whilst there. In her first job, Maggie worked at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, which is a branch of the UK Ministry of Defence. Here she acted as a systems scientist, specialising in aircraft missile warning systems. Later she was promoted to managing projects to develop hand-held instruments that would detect landmines.
Later, Maggie joined University College London, where she managed the build of a high-resolution optical spectrograph for the Gemini telescope in Chile. Maggie then became the lead optical scientist at EADS Defence and Space. Here she managed the build of a satellite, Aeolus, that measures wind speed in the Earth's atmosphere. This is designed to help with our understanding of climate change. She also worked on the James Webb Space Telescope, the world's largest space telescope, which was launched on Christmas day last year.
Inspiring people about the wonders and importance of space and science is a long-standing passion of Maggie's, so she founded her own company, Science Innovation Ltd. To date Maggie has spoken to over 350,000 people across the world, encouraging the next generation to follow in her footsteps to work in STEM ( Science Technology Engineering and Maths). Maggie regularly visits schools talking about how and why she became a scientist, dispelling myths surrounding scientific careers and gender.
Maggie is the current President of the British Science Association and sits on the boards of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Advisory Board of the Science Museum and Unboxed - A celebration of creativity across the UK. She is well known as TV presenter of BBC Sky at Night, CBeebies Stargazing and Jimmy Carr's I Literally Just Told You. She makes other appearances on programs such as The Wheel, Richard Osman's House of Games and Morning Live.
Maggie is also an author, with 3 published books including The Sky at Night Book of the Moon, and Dr Maggie's Grand Tour of the Universe. She has two more books coming out later this year. Maggie was honoured in 2009 with an MBE in recognition for her commitment to science and science education for young people.
Books
The Sky at Night: The Art of Stargazing
The Sky at Night: Book of the Moon
Webb's Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History
Am I Made of Stardust?: Dr Maggie Answers the Big Questions for Young Scientists
The Knowledge: Stargazing
Dr Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System
The Story of the Solar System: A Visual Journey
Exoplanets: A Ladybird Expert Book
How to hire Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Maggie Aderin-Pocock for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback for In-Person Events:
"She was BRILLIANT and AMAZING - we've received such positive feedback, she ignited the audience with her stories and enthusiasm. The surroundings, the food, the atmosphere and the speakers were just what we wanted. A great evening. " - Richard, Associate Regional Director - East of England, CBI
"As expected, Dr Maggie was fantastic. She was an amazing addition to our panel and we have not stopped having positive feedback from the event. We are so happy that Dr Maggie joined us, she had a huge impact on our event. We ended up with over 190 people attending. It was such a success that this event will now be an annual event." - Lucy, Executive Assistant & Event Manager, IP Group
"Everyone had great feedback about Dr Maggie, loved her talks and was lovely to talk to while on-site" - Matilda, Project Coordinator, Smyle
"The session went really went, Maggie was amazing and the quality of her narrative and on-point storytelling and key messaging was really impressive and inspiring." - Parker Hannifin
"Maggie, thank you so much for being our very first headline speaker for our BSI Young Professionals Exchange. Your contribution was instrumental to the success of this event and was most appreciated. Delegates were truly inspired by your words and many have already fed back on how they will now approach certain career aspirations/decisions." - Sarah, BSI Group
- 2024 - Appointed DBE for Services to Science Education & Diversity
- 2023 - Mattel created a Barbie doll of Maggie to celebrate International Women's Day
- 2023 - Chancellor of the University of Leicester
- 2022 - Appointed Vice-President of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
- 2021 - President of the British Science Association
- 2021 - Question setter for "I Literally Just Told You"
- 2020 - Commissioner on the UK Government's Commission on Race & Ethnic Disparities
- 2020 - Awarded the Institute of Physics William Thomson Lord Kelvin Medal & Prize
- 2018 - Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Leicester
- 2017 - Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from Loughborough University
- 2016 - Ranked as the 6th Most Influential Black Briton on the Powerlist
- 2014 - Presenter of "The Sky at Night"
- 2013 - Recipient of the Out of the Box Thinking Award from Yale University
- 2013 - Named on the Powerlist of the Top 100 Most Influential Black People
- 2012 - Presenter of "In Orbit: How Satellites Rule Our World"
- 2012 - Named on the Powerlist of the Top 100 Most Influential Black People
- 2011 - Presenter of "Do We Really Need the Moon?"
- 2011 - Winner of the New Talent Award from the WFTV
- 2009 - Scientific Consultant for "Paradox"
- 2009 - Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Science from Staffordshire University
- 2009 - Appointed MBE for Services to Science Education
- 2006 - Named a Women of Outstanding Achievement by GetSET Women
- 2006 - Research Fellow at the UCL Department of Science & Technology Studies
- 2005 - Awarded the Certificate of Excellence by the Champions Club UK
- Presenter of "Stargazing" on CBeebies & "Out of This World" on CBBC
- Honorary Research Associate of University College London's Department of Physics & Astronomy
