Dame Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin-Pocock DBE (née Aderin), born on 9 March 1968, is a trailblazing Nigerian-British space scientist, science communicator, and advocate for diversity in STEM. Renowned for her efforts in public science education and space exploration, she has received widespread acclaim both in the UK and internationally.
Aderin-Pocock is an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London (UCL). In March 2023, she was appointed Chancellor of the University of Leicester, a prestigious academic leadership role.
Since 2014, she has co-hosted the long-running BBC astronomy show The Sky at Night alongside Chris Lintott, making complex space science accessible to millions.
A Career of Firsts and Influence
Dame Maggie, as she is fondly called, made history as the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the Physics News Awards. She also served as President of the British Science Association from 2021 to 2022. In 2020, she was awarded the William Thomson, Lord Kelvin Medal and Prize by the Institute of Physics for her outstanding work in public engagement with science.
She has also been repeatedly listed on the UK Powerlist of the most influential Black Britons:
In 2012: Named among the top 100 most influential Black people in the UK
In 2013 and again in 2016: Listed in the top 10, ranking as high as #6 in 2016
National Honors and Recognitions
2009 – Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to science education
2024 – Elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to science and diversity
2023 – Honored by Mattel with a Barbie doll in her likeness as part of International Women’s Day celebrations
Other Notable Awards & Achievements
2005 – “Certificate of Excellence,” Champions Club UK
2009 – Honorary Doctorate, Staffordshire University
2011 – “New Talent” Award, Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV)
2013 – Yale University “Out of the Box Thinking Award” for her advocacy on dyslexia
Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Bath (2014), Loughborough (2017), and Leicester (2018)
2022 – Appointed Vice-President, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Background and Legacy
Though born in London, Aderin-Pocock has proudly acknowledged her Nigerian heritage, often using her platform to inspire African and Black youth across the world to pursue careers in science and technology. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, she overcame early academic challenges and has since become a global symbol of determination, excellence, and representation in science.
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