Available to book
Helen Sharman
Science
Team Building
Effective Leadership
Transform scientific engagement with Helen Sharman, speaker, astronaut and STEM advocate. Helen works with organisations to inspire scientific curiosity, space exploration and technological innovation, delivering pioneering insights as Britain's first astronaut and recipient of OBE and CMG honours.
Inspirational Female
Educator
STEM
Podcast
NASA
Professional Development
Astronaut
Scientist
Author
Inspirational
Public Relations
Motivational
Helen Sharman is the first British astronaut, the first Western European woman in space, and the first woman to visit the Mir space station. Her historic mission in 1991 marked a milestone in British space exploration and continues to inspire generations interested in science and technology.
A trained chemist, she was selected from over 13,000 applicants for Project Juno, having heard about the opportunity by chance on the car radio. Calm, capable and a team player, Helen was exactly the candidate the programme needed.
Helen’s story combines scientific rigour, human resilience and a spirit of exploration. She underwent 18 months of intensive training in Russia, including learning the language, enduring physical conditioning for life in microgravity, and preparing for various possible emergencies.
Her mission involved conducting various scientific experiments and outreach activities from orbit, including operating radio links with British schoolchildren. She continues to advocate for the role of science in shaping our understanding of the world and improving lives on Earth.
Following her spaceflight, Helen transitioned into a career as a science communicator and educator. She has received several prestigious honours, including an OBE and later a CMG for her services to science and technology outreach.
She has worked in research and leadership roles at institutions such as the National Physical Laboratory and Imperial College London. Currently, she serves as President of the Institute of Science and Technology.
Helen remains closely involved with public engagement around space and science. She hosts the Zero Pressure podcast and co-hosts Discover Your Inner Astronaut for Audible. Her spacesuit is on display at the Science Museum, and schools across the UK have named buildings in her honour.
Through her work, she encourages curiosity, collaboration and ambition in science.
Testimonials
Featured Projects
often considered together
Britt Frank
High Performance
Effective Leadership
Mental Health
The Tempest Two
Growth Mindset
High Performance
Resilience
James Whittle
Growth Mindset
High Performance
Resilience
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email helen.sharman@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Helen's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Helen Sharman draws on her direct experience as the first British astronaut to ground her talks in first-person accounts of the selection process, 18 months of training in Russia, and conducting scientific experiments aboard the Mir space station.
Helen Sharman CMG OBE speaks on space exploration, STEM advocacy, science communication, team building, and leading through uncertainty. She is the first British astronaut, selected from over 13,000 applicants for Project Juno in 1991, a credential recognised through her appointment as CMG for services to science and technology outreach.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
