Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a scientist and broadcaster.

She is the presenter of the The Sky at Night, has fronted a number of space documentaries, and regularly appears on science and non-science programmes.

From a modest background and diagnosed with dyslexia, Maggie overcame the naysayers to study at Imperial College where she obtained her degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. After her studies, she toured the UK speaking to inner-city schools about what scientists do, why they do it, and how to be one with the aim of inspiring the next generation of physicists.

Since then, she has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments, ranging from hand-held land mine detectors to an optical subsystem for the James Webb Space Telescope. She has worked for the MoD on missile warning systems, and for aerospace giant EADS on projects to monitor the earth’s atmosphere.

Maggie is a research fellow and an Honorary Research Associate at University College London, and continues to work to engage the public with science. She was made an MBE for services to science and science education.