Niamh Shaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niamh Shaw
Dr. Niamh Shaw in 2017
Alma mater	University College Dublin, (PhD)
Occupation	Science Communicator, writer and performer
Years active	2005 — today

Niamh Shaw is an Irish scientist, engineer, writer, and performer. She is also a STEM communicator, which means she helps people understand science, technology, engineering, and math in fun and interesting ways.

In 2019–2020, Niamh was an Honorary Ambassador for the Irish Girl Guides. This was to celebrate how she has inspired girls and women in Ireland to follow their dreams. Her first book, Dream Big: An Irishwoman's Space Odyssey, shares her 40-year journey to achieve her childhood dream of going to space.

Early Life and Education

Niamh Shaw studied at University College Dublin. She earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1990. She then completed a Master's degree in Biosystems Engineering in 1995. Later, in 2001, she received her Ph.D. in Food Science.

From 2001 to 2003, Niamh worked as a researcher at University College Dublin. In 2015, she took part in the International Space University Space Studies Programme. This program teaches about space science and exploration.

Niamh's Career Journey

In 2003, Niamh started performing and acting. She appeared in the TV show Fair City in 2007–2008. She also acted in movies like Dorothy Mills (2008) and A Shine of Rainbows (2009). Other films she appeared in include Hideaways (2011) and You're Ugly Too (2015).

Niamh is also an improvisation comedian. She has performed with several comedy groups, including The Craic Pack Comedy Improv.

Sharing Science with Everyone

In 2011, Niamh created her first theatre show, "That's About the Size of It". While making this show, she was invited to CERN. CERN is a famous science lab where physicists study tiny particles. Niamh talked about how to make science exciting for the public. Her show toured from 2011 to 2013.

She has created other science-themed shows too. These include Baking in Space (2018–2019) and My Place in Space (2014–2016).

From 2014 to 2019, Niamh was an artist in residence at Cork Institute of Technology BlackRock Castle Observatory. This meant she worked there, combining art with science.

Niamh helped start STEAMakers. This is a worldwide group that inspires young people to think about careers in STEM. She often speaks at STEM events to encourage "Women in STEM". This promotes more girls and women to join science and technology fields. In 2014, she gave a talk at TEDxUCD.

Since 2016, she has taught at the International Space University Space Studies Programme. She has been a lecturer and a co-chair for different departments.

Since 2014, Niamh has focused on her dream of going to space. She wants to go as an artist and a regular citizen, not as a trained astronaut.

In 2019, she visited NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. She spoke at their Cross Industry Innovation Summit.

Niamh joined the Homeward Bound (organization) for their 2023 trip to Antarctica. To get ready, she created an educational program. This program teaches students about climate change and the extreme environment of Antarctica. She worked with the Environmental Awareness Office of Laois County Council on this project.

Public Speaking and Lectures

Niamh has given talks at many important events. These include WIRED UK and New Scientist Live in the UK. She also spoke at the NASA Johnson Innovation Summit in Houston, Texas, USA.

On March 9, 2019, she spoke at Áras an Uachtarain, the home of the Irish President. She responded to President Michael D. Higgins's speech about "Women in STEM". This was part of a special event for International Women's Day.

Since 2015, she has lectured on communication and arts at the Space Studies Programme.

Performer, Writer, and Artist

Niamh's theatre project, Diary of a Martian Beekeeper, started in 2017. It was funded by Science Foundation Ireland. The show explored the huge team effort behind human space exploration.

Her second STEAM show was called To Space. It was about her dream to visit the International Space Station. She shared her mission with the astronauts on board. This show toured Europe and Australia from 2014 to 2016. It was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2015) and Adelaide Fringe (2016).

Niamh has also presented her work at science conferences. She writes regularly for the BBC Sky at Night astronomy magazine. She also contributes to Irish radio and newspapers on science and technology topics.

Her other projects include "Dream Big" (International Space University, 2015) and "Speaking with Plants" (University College Dublin, 2014). Her work has received support from organizations like the European Space Agency and The Arts Council of Ireland.

Simulating Mars Missions

In 2017, Niamh was part of Crew 173. This was a simulated Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station in southern Utah. She was the artist and journalist for a team of six people. They lived as if they were on Mars.

After this mission, she experienced a zero-gravity flight. This happened at the Star City Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

In 2018, she was an advisor and artist at D-MARS. This is a new simulated Mars facility in the Ramon Crater, Israel. She documented their first mission, D-MARS01.

Niamh has worked with Lottie Dolls to create workshops for young girls. These workshops combine drama and space exploration. She even took a "Stargazer Lottie" doll with her on her Mars simulation missions.

Based on her experiences, Niamh created her third theatre show, Diary of a Martian Beekeeper (2018).

On TV, Radio, and in Print

Niamh often appears on TV and radio to talk about science and her space adventures. She has been on The Tommy Tiernan Show, The Late Late Show, and Today on RTÉ One. She has also written articles about space and science.

Awards and Recognition

In 2014, Niamh was named one of Ireland's talented 38 Technology Women.

She won a Science Foundation Ireland Outstanding Contribution to STEM Communication Award in 2018. She shared this award with Dr. John O'Donoghue.

On International Women's Day 2019, Niamh was invited to speak at Áras an Uachtaráin. This was a special event celebrating Irish Women in STEM. She responded to President Michael D. Higgins's speech.

Niamh was the Honorary Ambassador to the Irish Girl Guides for 2019/2020. In 2022, the European Space Agency recognized her as a European Space Champion. This was for her excellent work in promoting space exploration.

Images for kids

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  Dr. Niamh Shaw in 2017