Maggie Aderin

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin (formerly Aderin-Pocock), speaker, physicist, space scientist, and broadcaster, is one of Britain's most beloved science educators. Born in London, Dame Maggie attended 13 schools by age 18 and overcame challenges with undiagnosed dyslexia. Despite being advised to choose a more practical career by her teachers, she stayed focused on her dream of space exploration. She went on to earn a Physics degree and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London. Today, Dame Maggie is best known for teaching and sharing insights on physics, co-hosting the BBC astronomy show The Sky at Night since 2014 with Professor Chris Lintott. The program explores space science and the wonders of the universe. Dame Maggie's career includes significant contributions to the UK Ministry of Defence, where she helped develop aircraft missile warning systems and hand-held devices for detecting landmines. From 1999 to 2005, she worked at University College London, where she developed a high-resolution spectrograph for the Gemini Observatory in Chile. Her work on the Aeolus satellite, which measures wind speeds in the Earth's atmosphere, has advanced our understanding of climate change. Additionally, she contributed to the design of the James Webb Space Telescope, further ensuring her place in space science history. Dame Maggie's published works include Dr Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System, Am I Made of Stardust? and The Sky at Night: The Art of Stargazing. In 2023, Mattel honoured her with a Barbie doll to celebrate International Women's Day, highlighting her influence in promoting STEM education. She actively speaks at educational institutions, aiming to inspire young people to develop a passion for science. Even today, Dame Maggie says that because she is dyslexic, she finds it difficult to accept herself as a serious author despite having just won the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize for her most recent work. One in ten people in the UK suffers from dyslexia, a learning disability. Dame Maggie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009, recognising her contributions to science and education, and was later appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2024, for services to science education and diversity. In 2018, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Leicester. She later became the University of Leicester's chancellor in March 2023. Committed to inspiring future generations, she has made it her mission to encourage young scientists and educators. While not an astronaut, no better person can take you to space! Contact PepTalk to check Dame Maggie's availability for your event or to book another of our specialist speakers in science communication.