Maggie Aderin-Pocock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maggie Aderin-Pocock
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Aderin-Pocock in 2024
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| Born |
Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin
9 March 1968 |
| Education | La Sainte Union Catholic School |
| Alma mater | Imperial College London (BSc, PhD) |
| Known for | The Sky at Night |
| Spouse(s) |
Martin Pocock
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Honorary degree, Staffordshire University (2009) Honorary Fellow, British Science Association (2010) Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Bath (2014) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Space science |
| Institutions | University College London |
Dame Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin-Pocock DBE (born 9 March 1968) is a British space scientist. She is also a well-known science educator. She works as a research associate at University College London's Department of Physics and Astronomy. Since March 2023, she has been the chancellor of the University of Leicester.
Since February 2014, she has helped present The Sky at Night. This is a long-running TV show about astronomy. In 2020, she won a special award for sharing physics with the public. She is the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the Physics News Award. From 2021 to 2022, she was the president of the British Science Association.
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Early Life and Education
Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin was born in London on 9 March 1968. Her parents were from Nigeria. She grew up in Camden, London. Her middle name, Ebunoluwa, means "gift of God" in the Yoruba language.
She went to La Sainte Union Convent School in North London. Maggie is dyslexic, which means she learns differently. When she was a child, she wanted to be an astronaut. A teacher suggested she try nursing instead. But Maggie kept pursuing her dream. She studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology in high school.
Maggie then went to Imperial College London. She earned a degree in physics in 1990. She completed her PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1994. Her research focused on measuring very thin lubricant films. This helped improve optical and mechanical systems. Her work led to a new instrument that was sold by a university company.
Career and Research
Aderin-Pocock has worked on many exciting projects. These include jobs in private companies, universities, and for the government. From 1996 to 1999, she worked for the Ministry of Defence. She helped develop systems for aircraft missile warnings. She also managed a project to create hand-held devices. These devices were used to find landmines.
In 1999, Aderin-Pocock returned to Imperial College London. She worked on a project to build a high-resolution tool. This tool was for the Gemini Observatory in Chile. It helped scientists study stars and space.
She also worked on the Aeolus satellite. This satellite measures wind speeds from space. This information helps scientists understand climate change.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Maggie Aderin-Pocock is passionate about sharing science. She wants to inspire young people to become scientists and engineers. Her company, Science Innovation Ltd, runs "Tours of the Universe." This program teaches kids and adults about space science.
She has spoken to about 25,000 children. Many of them are from inner-city schools. She tells them how she became a scientist. She encourages them to challenge ideas about careers and gender. She also helps judge the National Science + Engineering Competition. This competition celebrates young people's achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Media Appearances
Aderin-Pocock has appeared on many TV shows. She was a science consultant for the mini-series Paradox. She also appeared on Doctor Who Confidential. In 2011, she presented Do We Really Need the Moon? on BBC Two. She also presented In Orbit: How Satellites Rule Our World in 2012.
Besides The Sky at Night, she has presented Stargazing on CBeebies. She also presented Out of This World on CBBC with her daughter, Lauren. She has been a guest on popular game shows like Would I Lie to You? and QI.
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In 2014, some media comments unfairly questioned her expertise. However, the Royal Astronomical Society and her university, University College London, defended her. The media outlet later admitted that she was chosen for her knowledge.
She is an honorary research associate at University College London's Department of Physics and Astronomy. In 2020–21, she was part of a UK government commission. This commission looked at race and ethnic equality. She explained that the commission did not find evidence of widespread institutional racism in the areas they studied.
Since 2021, Aderin-Pocock has also helped create questions for the TV game show I Literally Just Told You.
Honours and Awards
Maggie Aderin-Pocock has received many awards for her work. She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009. This was for her services to science education. In 2024, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This was for her contributions to science education and promoting diversity.
Some of her other awards include:
- 2009 – Honorary Doctor of Science from Staffordshire University.
- 2011 – "New Talent" award from Women in Film and Television.
- 2012, 2013, 2016 – Listed among the UK's most influential Black people on the Powerlist.
- 2014 – Honorary Doctor of Science from University of Bath.
- 2017 – Honorary Doctor of Science from Loughborough University.
- 2018 – Honorary Doctor of Science from University of Leicester.
- 2020 – William Thomson, Lord Kelvin Medal and Prize for public engagement in physics.
In 2023, Mattel created a Barbie doll of Aderin-Pocock. This was to celebrate International Women's Day.
Personal Life
Maggie Aderin-Pocock married Martin Pocock in 2002. They have one daughter named Lauren, who was born in 2010. They live in Guildford, Surrey.
See also
In Spanish: Maggie Aderin-Pocock para niños
