Space scientist. Science communicator. Business founder and BBC presenter. Dame Margaret (Maggie) Aderin-Pocock is reaching for the stars – literally and metaphorically. She is widely recognised as a leader in her field and for her extensive efforts to engage the public with science.
In interviews, Maggie consistently gives the same answer for what sparked her interest in space – the Clangers and the moon landing. She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t fascinated by space.
Maggie has gone from a girl with a big dream to one of the most prominent faces in her field. She has received numerous honorary degrees and awards, as well as being awarded an MBE in 2009 for her services to science education.
Her work has not only advanced space science but has also created significant, tangible impacts in education, public engagement, and diversity in STEM, with effects that will resonate for years to come.
Maggie’s journey through the education system wasn’t straightforward. It often shocks people when she shares she attended 13 different schools. Maggie says: “Most of the time when I tell kids today, they think it’s because I was naughty.” In reality, it came down to her parents splitting up when she was young and other circumstances where schools closed. She describes her education as “choppy”.
But there was another reason why Maggie struggled.
Although it wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 40s, many of the challenges she was facing were due to her dyslexia.
When I was at school, I found reading and writing challenging. I was an unlikely candidate for going to university. Now I see dyslexia as my superpower because of the skills it gives me in communication, empathy and storytelling.
Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking podcast | "I'm fascinated by everything." Maggie, an ambassador for Made By Dyslexia, shares her experiences.
Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking podcast | "I'm fascinated by everything." Maggie, an ambassador for Made By Dyslexia, shares her experiences.
Growing up, Maggie loved to learn and had an ingrained appreciation of a good education, passed down to her by her father. So, despite the upheaval in her school years, she always showed a drive to navigate challenges and build knowledge.
She has fond memories of visiting the Science Museum in London with her father, and being captivated by the space gallery. Little did she know years later she would sit on the board of the Science Museum.
I remember going to one school and saying that I wanted to be a space scientist and go to space. And the teacher said ‘Oh, well, you know, with your academic standing, why don't you go into nursing. That's quite scientific’. But I remember thinking that’s not what makes my heart sing.
She was also aware of Imperial from an early age.
In another foreshadowing of things to come, Maggie remembers looking across the road to Imperial and imagining a future there. She recalls:
I walked past Imperial and saw it as a place where clever people would go. It was a crazy dream of mine that I would someday study there.
And that dream did come true… Maggie studied at Imperial for seven years in total, completing both her undergraduate degree and her PhD.
When Maggie talks about studying at Imperial, she shares: “It’s funny. I can still feel it today – the excitement of it.” What still stands out for Maggie is the atmosphere. “It was a wonderful environment where like-minded people all came together. I’m still in touch with my favourite lecturer, Professor David Southwood. I think he was also tutor to Nicky Fox, who is now a director at NASA.”
She continues: “He was one of the lecturers from the space department that brought the subject to life. When I was scratching my head and didn’t understand things, he’d sit down with me and explain it. Having the support of people like that made the journey so much easier.”
At the start of her course, Maggie vowed to focus on her studies and do nothing but work hard. However, like many students, she was drawn to the social side of student life. She says: “I remember going to South Side Bar and Belushi’s Pizza. I made some really close friends – some of whom I’m still in contact with today.”
Imperial is right there in the heart of London, surrounded by amazing museums. Because of the location, you have the opportunity to do all sorts of things.
Maggie’s PhD focused on optical instruments for testing engine oils and looking at nanometre thin films in high pressure areas. She later went on to contribute to numerous space missions including the development of instruments for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. Her work in this area included designing and testing precision optical components that help the telescope observe distant stars and galaxies with unprecedented clarity.
My life in space science and the JWST, The Royal Institution | Maggie talks about her work on the James Webb Space Telescope in this Royal Institution lecture.
My life in space science and the JWST, The Royal Institution | Maggie talks about her work on the James Webb Space Telescope in this Royal Institution lecture.
When asked about her proudest moments, she says: “Being part of the team that worked on the James Webb Space Telescope has definitely been a highlight. It’s the largest space telescope ever built. It sits 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth, looking into deep, dark space and gives us new views of the universe.”
Check out Maggie's ten favourite images from the James Webb Space Telescope in the Sky at Night magazine.
Maggie has also recently published a book on it – Webb's Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History.
Her success in the field of space science challenges the stereotypes about who can be a scientist, showing that passion, determination, and hard work can overcome societal barriers.
"When I was growing up, the Barbies just didn't look anything like me." Maggie became a Barbie Role Model in 2023 for her work promoting science careers to girls.
"When I was growing up, the Barbies just didn't look anything like me." Maggie became a Barbie Role Model in 2023 for her work promoting science careers to girls.
Beyond her technical achievements, Maggie is perhaps best known for her role as a passionate science communicator. She has a natural ability to make complex scientific topics accessible to the general public.
As part of my PhD, I had to do what is called a transfer report. It was one of the first times I had done a presentation of this kind, but I loved it. Conveying the information in an accessible way gave me a buzz. I think that’s when the realisation came that I should work to my strengths and steer my career in that direction.
Maggie used to call it the “dinner party test”. She recalls watching people panic when she said she was a scientist in social settings but realised how engaged people were once she made it relevant to real life.
Maggie says: “We wanted science to be more diverse but were struggling to recruit anyone at all. I started to find ways of getting people engaged which also led to me doing media training and encouraging other people to do the same.”
Maggie founded Science Innovation Ltd to provide interactive science experiences to schools and the public. Through workshops, talks, and educational programmes, she has engaged thousands of students across the UK, particularly in underrepresented and disadvantaged communities. Her work in this area has inspired countless young people to consider careers in STEM.
In the last 20 years of Science Innovation Ltd, Maggie estimates that she’s spoken to around 550,000 people, which she finds “mind-boggling”. However, she’s reached many more as a co-presenter of the long-running BBC television series The Sky at Night, a show she watched growing up when it was presented by Patrick Moore.
'The Moon and Me' - there were queues across campus ahead of Maggie's sell-out talk at the Great Exhibition Road Festival in 2023.
Back where it all began - Maggie delivers her lecture in the Great Hall on the South Kensington Campus.
From as young as four years old, Maggie remembers her father asking what university she wanted to go to. Her father told her: “If you have big dreams and work at it, it might take you longer, but you’ll get there.” And she can’t remember a time when she hasn’t had a dream, viewing it as a comfort blanket when things didn’t go to plan.
Now Maggie tells the young people she meets to “have big crazy dreams” as she believes this has helped her achieve more than she ever thought possible. She adds: “When you have a big vision, it makes you resilient. You keep going when things get hard.”
I tell kids to reach for the stars. No matter what your stars are. Mine just happen to be the actual stars, but yours might be something completely different. Find something you love as you spend too much time working to not do something you love.
She shares: “I’ve had people come up to me on the street and tell me that I came to their school and that it inspired them to study science. The first question I always ask is: ‘Do you enjoy it?’”
Maggie says she was “totally gobsmacked” when she found out she’d won an Imperial Alumni Award. She adds: “I felt honoured that someone had been aware of my work and nominated me. I’m immensely proud.”
Imperial is one of the top universities in the world. As a black female scientist, I wanted to be taken seriously. And when I say I have a degree and a PhD from Imperial, people respect that.
Over the years, Maggie has returned to Imperial for events. “I used to dream of coming back as an old lady and giving lectures,” she reveals. However, the opportunity to return to campus came much sooner than she anticipated. Recently she filmed a special episode of The Sky at Night with fellow alumna and friend, Dr Nicola Fox, Head of Science at NASA, where they revisited old Imperial haunts, looked back at photos and relived their experiences here.
Moving forward, Maggie hopes to be involved with more projects, working with staff, students and alumni to tackle real-world challenges.
So, what’s next for Maggie? She says there is still “tons” she wants to do and “finds it quite scary”. Sitting on various government boards, she’s asking: “How can we make education better for everyone?”
Maggie has also been setting up a project with the International Rescue Committee to link scientists and engineers with people in different parts of the world who need support. Not only will cutting-edge science be key to its success, but so will the power of storytelling and creating connections.
Of course, there is still one big dream – to go out into space. Maggie isn’t worried it’s too late: “They put the actor who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek into space when he was 90, so I’ve got plenty of time”. And forget a quiet retirement, Maggie has a very different plan: “I’d love to retire to Mars.”
Maggie encourages everyone reading this to find their inner scientist, confident that all of us have the potential to follow our curiosity and solve problems. She believes this is crucial so we can all unite in addressing the challenges of today’s world.
Imperial's Alumni Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of our alumni community and the variety of ways they are making a real impact across the globe.
The Distinguished Alumni Award celebrates celebrates outstanding alumni who have demonstrated sustained excellence in their personal and professional achievements, are leaders in their field or have made a substantial impact on society.