Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Encyclopedia
Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock Ph.D.
, MBE
(born 1968) is a British
space scientist.
She went on to study at Imperial College London
, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science
in Physics
and a Doctorate
in Mechanical Engineering
.
and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
on missile warning systems. She then worked on hand-held instruments to detect landmines. Maggie moved back to Imperial College London
in 1999 with a Fellowship from the Science and Technology Facilities Council
to work on a high-resolution spectrograph for the Gemini telescope in Chile, which probes the heart of stars by converting the starlight gathered by huge telescopes into the component rainbow colours, and then analyses them to work out what's happening billions of miles away.
She is currently the lead scientist for the optical instrumentation group for Astrium. She is working on and managing the observation instruments for the Aeolus satellite, which will measure wind speeds to help the investigation of climate change. Maggie is also helping to coordinate the development of the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope
, the planned replacement for the Hubble, and on other infrared mechanisms for monitoring climate change and on other optical systems and bespoke instrumentation for future space missions.
She is also a pioneering figure in communicating science to the public, specifically school children, and also runs her own company, Science Innovation Ltd, which engages children and adults all over the world with the wonders of space science. Maggie is committed to inspiring new generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists and she has spoken to about 25,000 children, many of them at inner-city schools telling them how and why she is a scientist, busting myths about careers, class and gender. Through this Maggie conducts "Tours of the Universe", a scheme she set up to engage school children and adults around the world in the wonders of space.
Dr. Aderin-Pocock was the scientific consultant for the 2009 mini-series Paradox
, and also appeared on Doctor Who Confidential
. In February 2011 she presented 'Do We Really Need the Moon?' on BBC 2.
She holds a Science in Society Fellowship awarded in 2006 by the Science and Technology Facilities Council
, as well as Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University
for her contributions to the field of science education. In 2006 she was one of six 'Women of Outstanding Achievement' winners with GetSET Women and in 2009 she was awarded a Member of the British Empire for her services to science and education.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(born 1968) is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
space scientist.
Personal life and education
Maggie Aderin-Pocock was born in London to Nigerian parents. She attended La Sainte Union Convent School in North London. She has dyslexia and, as a child, when she told a teacher she wanted to be an astronaut, it was suggested she try nursing, "as that was science too". However she gained four A Levels in maths, physics, chemistry and biology.She went on to study at Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
.
Career
Dr. Aderin-Pocock has worked on many projects, from private industry to government contracts to academic research. She began in the Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...
on missile warning systems. She then worked on hand-held instruments to detect landmines. Maggie moved back to Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
in 1999 with a Fellowship from the Science and Technology Facilities Council
Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy .-History:It was formed in April 2007 as a merger of the Particle...
to work on a high-resolution spectrograph for the Gemini telescope in Chile, which probes the heart of stars by converting the starlight gathered by huge telescopes into the component rainbow colours, and then analyses them to work out what's happening billions of miles away.
She is currently the lead scientist for the optical instrumentation group for Astrium. She is working on and managing the observation instruments for the Aeolus satellite, which will measure wind speeds to help the investigation of climate change. Maggie is also helping to coordinate the development of the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope
James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope , previously known as Next Generation Space Telescope , is a planned next-generation space telescope, optimized for observations in the infrared. The main technical features are a large and very cold 6.5 meter diameter mirror, an observing position far from Earth,...
, the planned replacement for the Hubble, and on other infrared mechanisms for monitoring climate change and on other optical systems and bespoke instrumentation for future space missions.
She is also a pioneering figure in communicating science to the public, specifically school children, and also runs her own company, Science Innovation Ltd, which engages children and adults all over the world with the wonders of space science. Maggie is committed to inspiring new generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists and she has spoken to about 25,000 children, many of them at inner-city schools telling them how and why she is a scientist, busting myths about careers, class and gender. Through this Maggie conducts "Tours of the Universe", a scheme she set up to engage school children and adults around the world in the wonders of space.
Dr. Aderin-Pocock was the scientific consultant for the 2009 mini-series Paradox
Paradox (TV series)
Paradox is a 2009 British science fiction police drama, starring Tamzin Outhwaite as Detective Inspector Rebecca Flint. Written by Lizzie Mickery and produced by Clerkenwell Films for the BBC, it was filmed and set in Manchester, England....
, and also appeared on Doctor Who Confidential
Doctor Who Confidential
Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary series created by the British Broadcasting Corporation to complement the revival of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Each episode was broadcast on BBC Three on Saturdays, immediately after the broadcast of the weekly...
. In February 2011 she presented 'Do We Really Need the Moon?' on BBC 2.
She holds a Science in Society Fellowship awarded in 2006 by the Science and Technology Facilities Council
Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy .-History:It was formed in April 2007 as a merger of the Particle...
, as well as Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.- History :...
for her contributions to the field of science education. In 2006 she was one of six 'Women of Outstanding Achievement' winners with GetSET Women and in 2009 she was awarded a Member of the British Empire for her services to science and education.