We're on the lookout for more space professionals and researchers to come and share their stories with young people at our careers conferences in Leicester.

The UK Space Industry has a total income of £14.8 billion and employs close to 42,000 people. The UK currently makes up 5.1% of the global space economy (2016/17) and the government aims to increase this to 8% by 2020, and 10% by 2030. You can see the current report on gov.uk.

At our careers events we provide opportunities for students to meet people working in the space sector; from scientists to space engineers; Earth observation specialists to astrophysicists – and beyond. 

There are many paths to a career in the space sector, and many options once you get there. We want to provide young people at our events with a broad range of examples, and we believe the best way to learn about these options is to hear from the people themselves! 

We find that it helps to have speakers whose stories show relatable pathways, and especially early career speakers who are not so far removed from school themselves.

"The conferences are a wonderful opportunity for young people to find out about the huge range of careers within the space industry, as well as discover more about the journey of local scientists from school to their chosen profession. 

I think these personal stories are essential if we're going to smash the myth you have to be Einstein to be a scientist, and I feel that sharing my madcap journey into science helps young people to see that they too could pursue such a career if they wanted to. 

One of the best things about talking to young people is their optimism and proactive outlook, which makes me feel very positive about the future of scientific endeavour and of the space industry in the UK."

Dr Suzie Imber, Associate Professor in Space Physics at the University of Leicester


Speakers at our careers conferences talk about their pathway into the space sector, and bring examples of their work to talk about. 

We ask speakers to include at least one interactive element in their talks, and we can work with speakers to help them develop their talks and pitch them for different age groups. 

We run two conferences for Year 10 (aged 14 and 15) and two for year 12 (aged 16 and 17), with occasional subject specific conferences throughout the year. We're also looking to put on more events for younger secondary school groups in 2020 and beyond.

This is a volunteer opportunity, but we can contribute to travel expenses and we will provide you with lunch and lots of tea and coffee on the day. You can commit to one event per year, or more if you wish.

"The National Space Academy careers days are enormous fun for me as a presenter – everyone involved in them at the Space Centre and from all the external companies are really enthusiastic about their work for space and it is quite infectious! This enthusiasm then gets passed on to the young people who attend.

It's great to show the visiting students the range of space activities that we do, even as a small part of the UK space sector, and the range of people that we have working at MSSL. It means that we are opening their eyes to the opportunities to work in the most exciting field.

On a personal level, I really look forward to going back to the Space Centre each year. It's a great chance to develop public communications skills and to chat with people involved in space education. Plus, on occasion, you get to meet an astronaut!"

Dr Colin Forsyth, Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory (Dept. Space and Climate Physics)

We'd especially love to hear from you if meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • You are an early career scientist, mathematician or engineer with a space connection
  • You have recently finished a science degree and now work in the space sector
  • You have recently finished an apprenticeship and now work in the space sector
We are also very keen to hear from you if you meet any of the following criteria in addition to those above:
  • You were a first-generation student (i.e. the first in your family to go into Higher Education)
  • You identify as black, Asian, mixed race or from an ethnic minority background
  • You identify as belonging to any group which is underrepresented in the space sector

However, we're open to all expressions of interest, We want to show the broad range of opportunities available within the space sector. Young people who attend our careers conferences would love to hear your story.

Email National Space Academy Administrator Lisa Colford (lisac@spacecentre.co.uk), if you would like to be involved, and help us educate and inspire the next generation of space scientists. Please do share this call out with your networks.

Core Team (10)

Lead Educators (23)

Contributors

Partner

Space Park


Building upon the heritage and space-science excellence of the University of Leicester, Space Park is a collaborative community of industry, academics and students working together to drive growth in space and space-enabled sectors.

Partner

The Air & Space Power Association


The Air & Space Power Association (ASPA) is an authoritative voice and platform for discussion and debate on how air and space power influences today’s world and its relevance to the future. Our mission is to promote the understanding and advancement of military air and space power in the UK and beyond. Our aim is to provide a focal point for all stakeholders in the air and space domains. Through conferences, dinners, lectures and debates, the ASPA stimulates discussion around the air and space power environment. 

Contributor

NCEO


The National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) provides innovative approaches to scientific investigations of the global and regional Earth system.

Partner

RAL Space


Designing, testing and building satellite instruments and telescopes that observe our Earth and explore the furthest reaches of our Universe. We are lucky to be invited to RAL Space with our Space Engineers and visiting international students every year. 

Contributor

The Met Office


The UK's National Weather Service using satellite images and data to accurately forecast daily changes in weather. They also run world class research into climate change. The team have supported us at Careers Conferences.

Partner

RAF


The primary role of the RAF is defence of British and European airspace with additional roles of search and rescue and disaster relief. The RAF supported the development of the Teaching Laboratory at the National Space Centre and has donated some exhibits that are housed there.

Contributor

Mullard Space Science Laboratory


Carrying out research into a wide range of physical phenomena. They are actively involved in the development, construction and exploitation of high precision instrumentation for use on satellites. Dr Colin Forsyth regularly joins us at our Careers Conferences. 

Partner

University of Leicester


Every year since 1967 a Leicester-built instrument has operated in space. We work closely with the University of Leicester and look forward to the development of Space Park Leicester.

Contributor

Nottingham Geospatial Institute


A leading cross-disciplinary research and teaching institute at The University of Nottingham. NGI specialises in spatial and location-based science and engineering, empowered by satellite positioning, remote sensing and integrated technologies.

Contributor

ESERO-UK


ESERO UK promotes the use of space to enhance and support the teaching and learning of STEM in schools and colleges throughout the UK. They are funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Department for Education.

Contributor

ITP Aero


ITP Aero includes the design, research and development, manufacturing and casting, assembly and testing of aeronautical engines. ITP Aero have supported us at Careers Conferences and have provided work experience to our Space Engineers.

Partner

Inmarsat


Inmarsat has been at the forefront of mobile satellite services for several decades and is the leading provider of global voice, data and IP communications solutions. Immarsat have supported us at Careers Conferences.

Partner

ESA


ESA's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. We have partnered with ESA to develop several teaching resources.

Funder

The Ogden Trust


The Ogden Trust encourages and promotes the teaching and learning of physics. With their funding we teach physics to teenagers, and run CPD sessions for teachers.

Contributor

Rolls-Royce


A world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air. Rolls-Royce have supported us at Careers Conferences and have provided work experience to our Space Engineers.

Contributor

Airbus Defence and Space


One of the UK's largest space sector employers, and also a key player in aerospace and defence technologies. Airbus Defence & Space have supported us at Careers Conferences and have provided work experience to our Space Engineers. 

Contributor

PPG


PPG Industries are a global paintings and coatings company. PPG has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and have helped us to reach thousands of young people with space science in the classroom.

Partner

STFC


Keeping the UK at the forefront of international science. They tackle some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security.

Funder

Lloyd's Register Foundation


Helping to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement and the application of research. Lloyds Register Foundation support our International Scoping Project.

Funder

National Space Centre


The UK's largest visitor attraction dedicated to space and space exploration. The centre welcomes around a quarter of a million visitors each year since its opening in June 2001. We are part funded by the National Space Centre and our science lab sits within the centre itself.

Contributor

Surrey Satellites Technology Ltd. (SSTL)


SSTL has launched more than 35 small satellites, making it the most successful and experienced small satellite supplier in the world. The team regularly support us at Careers Conferences.

Funder

UK Space Agency


Reporting to the Minister of State for Universities and Science, the UK Space Agency is at the heart of UK efforts to explore space, exploit space-based applications and technology and support our academic and industrial communities. We work to increase understanding of space and its practical benefits and inspire our next generation of UK scientists and engineers.

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