Pictured is Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock speaking at the graduation ceremony.

Renowned space scientist receives Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University

Space scientist and BBC Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University “in recognition of her contributions to science”.

Pictured, from left to right, are Loughborough University Chancellor Lord Sebastian Coe, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, and Professor Robert Allison, Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University.

The degree was conferred upon her by Loughborough University Chancellor Lord Sebastian Coe at yesterday's winter graduation ceremony, which honoured the achievements of more than 1,100 students.

Maggie's passion is presenting science to a general audience, and she strives to demonstrate that you 'don't need a brain the size of a small planet' to understand, participate in and enjoy the subject. 

Maggie has worked on many innovative projects and has also become a successful TV personality. She is currently presenting Sky at Night on BBC 4, Mini Stargazing for Cbeebies and is a panellist on Sky One's science quiz show, Duck Quacks Don't Echo. She also makes regular appearances on The One Show, Newsnight and Woman's Hour.

To further share her love of science, Maggie conducts 'Tours of the Universe' and other public engagement activities, showing school children and adults around the world the wonders of space.  

Maggie has won a string of accolades for her work and was awarded an MBE for her services to science and education in 2009.

Back in 2014, the University had the honour of welcoming Maggie to the campus as she delivered the first-ever Claudia Parsons Memorial Lecture. Her talk, titled Women in Science: The Challenge, saw her discuss pioneering women in space science, her own adventures and triumphs and how female representation can be changed across STEM subjects.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University Professor Chris Linton said:As a university, we have celebrated the achievements of many great scientists over the years, and today we celebrate another; Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

“Maggie is an outstanding role model, leading the way for future generations of scientists and encouraging audiences to embark on their own journeys in scientific exploration.”

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 17/178

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Loughborough is one of the country's leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world to study sports-related subjects in the 2017 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2016 THE Student Experience Survey.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 6th in the Guardian University League Table 2018, 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and 10th in The UK Complete University Guide 2018. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education's 'table of tables' and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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