An event to celebrate Women in Space. Date: 18th June Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location: Durham university, Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) , South Rd, Durham DH1 3LS Room TLC 106 (first floor) Women in Space Block 1 – 9:00-11:10 AM 9:15 - 9:30 AM Welcome by Ariadna Calcines Rosario, Associate Professor and Head of Optics at Durham University 9:30-10:30 AM Meganne Christian FRAeS, ESA astronaut and UKSA Senior Exploration Manager 10:30-10:50 AM Caroline Harper, UKSA Head of Space Science 10:50-11:10 AM Siân Cleaver, AIRBUS Orion ESM Power & Avionics MSD Lead, STEM Ambassador, Diversity Advocate Coffee break 11:10 – 11:30 AM Block 2 – 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM 11:30 -11:45 AM Isabelle Crossley, DU PhD student and Member of Durham University Spaceflight (DUSF) 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM Amna Riaz, Northumbria University Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Space Technology Group 12:00- 12:15 PM Carly Beckerman, Deputy Director of Durham Space Research Centre (SPARC) and Associate Professor of International Relations 12:15 -12:30 PM Monika Sharma, Head of Digital Technologies and Game at Gateshead College, Advocate for Diversity 12:30 – 12:45 PM Meet the Exhibitors Lunch 12:45 – 2:15 PM 12:45 PM Group picture with Victoria Greener Block 3 – 2:15 – 4:00 PM 2:15 – 3:00 PM Panel: “The Invisible Force” Discussing essential roles with lower visibility across the space sector and highlighting the extraordinary work of Women in this field. 3:00 – 3:15 PM Final Remarks by Joanne Rout, DU Senior Business Development Manager -Advanced Technologies, Orbit Enterprise Hub Manager and volunteer mentor with The Girls’ Network 3:15 – 3:30 PM Connecting Women in Space around the World 3:30 – 4:00 PM Networking and informal discussion 9:00 - 9:15 AM Registration. Tea and coffee on arrival EVENT PROGRAMME EVENT PROGRAMME Dr Meganne Christian FRAeS is a member of the European Space Agency astronaut reserve and Senior Exploration Manager (Commercial) at the UK Space Agency, advising on human and robotic spaceflight in the post-ISS landscape. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a PhD in Industrial Chemistry from the University of New South Wales. From 2014 to 2023 she was a materials science researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, and participated in parabolic flight campaigns to test graphene coatings for thermal management in satellites. She has also undertaken two missions, including a winter-over, to Concordia Station in Antarctica, where she was a research scientist in charge of atmospheric physics and meteorology. In November 2022, she was selected from a pool of over 22,500 applicants across Europe to be one of the 17 members of the European Space Agency’s first astronaut class in 13 years. MEET THE SPEAKERS MEET THE SPEAKERS Meganne Christian FRAeS Dr Caroline Harper is Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency. She has responsibility for the overall management of programmes to develop innovative scientific instruments and data processing for space science missions, in partnership with other space agencies around the world. She is Vice-Chair of the European Space Agency’s Science Programme Committee and leads the UK SPC delegation. She is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and author of ‘Unseen Universe’, a book about the James Webb Space Telescope. She is passionate about communicating science to all, and about how new discoveries can be used in different ways for the benefit of people and the planet. Caroline Harper Siân Cleaver is a British aerospace engineer and project manager based in Bremen, Germany, where she works for Airbus Defence and Space. She currently serves as the Major Spacecraft Domain Lead for Power and Avionics for the Orion European Service Module (ESM). In this role, she oversees the delivery of the power and avionic systems for the Orion spacecraft, a key component of NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon. Siân’s career in the space industry began with a childhood interest in astronomy, which led her from an all-girls grammar school in Essex to Durham University, where she studied Physics and Astronomy (MPhys, 2008-2012). She started her professional life at Airbus in the UK as a systems engineer and project manager for future science and exploration missions before moving to Germany to join the international industrial effort behind the next generation of human spaceflight via the Artemis programme. Alongside her engineering work, Siân is a media-trained speaker experienced in explaining complex aerospace topics to the public. She has contributed to live broadcasts for BBC News and Sky News and even demonstrated the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover prototype live on Blue Peter. She also participates in and chairs panel discussions at industry events, focusing primarily on human spaceflight, the Artemis program and the logistics of lunar exploration. Siân is also active in efforts to support a more inclusive industry. She previously chaired the UK Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Young Professionals’ Board and founded the ‘Balance for Business’ diversity network at her Airbus site. When she is not working on spacecraft systems, she is a student private pilot, scuba diver, and astronomer. Siân Cleaver Isabelle is a Physics PhD student and a member of Durham University Spaceflight (DUSF), where she helped take the team from its first rocket launch to delivering record-breaking flights, including achieving the UK amateur altitude record. Her interest in space began through the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC), and since then she has been very passionate about what can be learned through building rockets. Building on this, she now leads Launch 4 Change, a national outreach programme funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, combining rocketry and climate science to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators. Isabelle Crossley Amna Riaz Amna Riaz is a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Space Technology Group at Northumbria University. She completed her DPhil in Optical Communications at the University of Oxford and held a postdoctoral position at McGill University, where she worked on visible light communications for RF-denied environments. She is now a key researcher for the development of the FOCUS payload (Free- space Optical CUbesat System) within the ALIGN mission — the UK's first university-led multi-satellite optical communication programme, Northumbria University. Her research focuses on free- space optical communications for CubeSat platforms, with a particular interest in thermal management and high-speed inter- satellite laser links. She is passionate about increasing the representation of women and underrepresented groups in space technology and STEM. Monika Sharma Monika Sharma is Head of Digital Technologies and Games at Gateshead College, but her journey into tech and education hasn’t been a straight line. Originally from a theatre background, she developed specialisms in data analytics and software development, and moved into Further Education driven by a desire to open up opportunities for others - particularly those who don’t traditionally see themselves in digital careers. Through her work, she now leads programmes spanning from entry level to higher education, working closely with employers to ensure learners develop the skills needed for real careers in Digital. Alongside this, she is the founder of Girls Into Tech, an initiative created to tackle the lack of representation in Digital by inspiring the next generation of young women to see a place for themselves in the industry. As a brown, neurodivergent woman in tech, she brings both professional and lived experience to her work, and is passionate about building a more inclusive, representative and future-facing digital workforce. Carly Beckerman Dr Carly Beckerman is an Associate Professor of International Relations at Durham University and Deputy Director of the Durham Space Research Centre (SPARC). Her research explores the politics and psychology of decision-making in international affairs, with a particular focus on political risk, security and the geopolitical implications of emerging technologies, including space and cyber technologies. Carly has held leadership roles across interdisciplinary research at Durham, including at the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, and has worked internationally at the intersection of policy, technology and global security. Through SPARC, she works to bring together expertise across science, engineering, law and the social sciences to create a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of space. Rachel Murphy Emily Jane Peters MEET THE PANELLİSTS MEET THE PANELLİSTS A former Physics teacher with a MSc in Space Science and Technology, I now work as a Project Officer & Grant Manager on the National Space Innovation Programme, supporting organisations across the UK in developing novel technologies for space applications. A unit of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the UK Space Agency leads the UK’s civil space program across policy, research and industry growth to strengthen national space capabilities. Rachel has spent 30 years working in contract and programme management, across a range of sectors but with a common theme of supporting the economic development of the North East of England. She has been at Durham University for 8 years, designing and delivering research translation programmes and is currently senior manager of Impact Acceleration Accounts which support academics to work with external partners and create impact. She is a huge advocate of EDI initiatives, as well as of wellbeing support and is currently studying part time for a degree in nutritional therapy! Clare Willis Meryem DAG An accidental career civil servant, Clare has worked at the UK Space Agency since 2019, she has primarily focused on government intervention support to enable early-stage technology development through the National Space Innovation Programme, with recent experience leading National Exploration project delivery where success relies on managing launch opportunities and international collaboration. Throughout her career, Clare finds that the people are what make the job interesting. From her first role reducing re- offending at her local prison by making education more accessible, to working alongside space experts creating novel solutions to understand the universe. Meryem is a PhD student in Astronomy and Space Instrumentation at Durham University and serves as the PhD EDI Representative for the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI). She completed her undergraduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Later, she pursued an MSc in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Istanbul University. Her master’s thesis focused on Mirya-μ1, Türkiye’s first and largest cosmic ray detector dedicated to space weather monitoring. She later began her PhD research at Durham University in CfAI and Center of Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA). Her research focuses on MKID-based astronomical spectroscopy, superconducting detectors, close binary star systems, and galactic transients, with additional interests in machine learning applications in astronomy. Outside academia, she is a private pilot student and an ocean diver. With 18 years of experience in education, Charlotte is currently a Lead Practitioner at King James I Academy. She began her career as a biology teacher, having lacked the role models and encouragement to pursue physics at university. However, once she entered the classroom, she realised her passion for physics had never disappeared. Driven to share that enthusiasm, she completed an Additional Specialism in Physics qualification and has since dedicated much of her career to making physics more accessible, engaging, and inclusive for all students. She is passionate about challenging stereotypes in physics education and promoting the belief that physics is for everyone. Through her work in school, with feeder primary schools, and during her two years as a Senior Teaching Fellow for The Ogden Trust, she has focused on inspiring young people, particularly girls and underrepresented students, to see themselves as future scientists and physicists. Charlotte Thompson Joanne Rout is a Senior Business Development Manager at Durham University and focuses on building external partnerships in Advanced Technologies, working closely with the Durham Space Research Centre Team. She spent much of her career in industry in technical and commercial roles. She has been a volunteer STEM Ambassador for over 20 years and uses industry and space contexts to engage school students with STEM. She is currently mentoring students in Teesside with the Girls' Network. Joanne Rout Event Organisers SPARC North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA) IAA SPACE NEE DUSF The Girls' Network List of exhibitors Ariadna Calcines Rosario Meryem Dag Deborah Malone Christina Munn Joanne Rout James Osborn Martyna Winiarska Claire Whitehill Vicki Greener Sameeksha Saini Rachel Murphy Lorraine Coghill Lai Zhang Viktoria Kutnohorsky Lazar Staykov Zoe Le Conte Kelly Hetherington Deanne Whatt Lindsay Bell ESTRELLAS is organised by Durham University with support from Durham University Space Research Centre, Durham University Impact Acceleration Accounts and the EPSRC North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account: EP/Z536301/1. The logo of ESTRELLAS and this programme have been designed by Meryem DAG