Transforming our future: the UK's space sector

Professor Sheila Rowan FRS is the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. Since 2009, Professor Rowan has been Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research contributed to one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of this century: the first detection of gravitational waves announced in February 2016. This resulted in a share of the 2016 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for her and the members of her team in Glasgow. She received the Hoyle Medal and Prize of the IOP in 2016, the Harold Hartley Medal of the Institute of Measurement and Control in 2020 and was made a CBE in 2021.She received the (inaugural) Philip Leverhulme Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Sheila served from 2018 - 24 on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, latterly as its Senior Independent Member and Co-Chair. From 2016 - 21 she was the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government, and from 2021 - 23 served as President of the Institute of Physics (IoP). She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board for the UK National Quantum Technology Program.

Over a thirty-five career, David Parker has become one of the UK’s leading space programme experts. Following engineering roles in industry studying new astrophysics and planetary missions, he later secured UK leadership for projects such as Aeolus and LISA Pathfinder. Joining the Research Councils in 2004 to represent the UK in ESA’s science and exploration programmes, he helped create the UK Space Agency in 2010, becoming its Chief Executive in 2013. As a Director of ESA (2016-23), he established its space exploration programme and doubled its budget. Now a visiting Professor at the University of Southampton, he consults for ESA and is a non-executive member of the UK Space Agency’s Board. Holding a BSc in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a PhD sponsored by NASA, in 2019 he received the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Geoffrey Pardoe award for long and valued service to the space sector.

Stuart Martin is a highly accomplished figure in the UK space industry, best known for his tenure as CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult from foundation in 2012 until stepping down in 2023. Under his leadership, the Catapult fostered innovation and growth within the space sector, promoting the use of satellite technology for a wide range of applications across many different industries.  Stuart’s expertise lies in strategy development and innovation, and he remains active supporting a number of space companies and related public bodies on the board or as an advisor.  Current roles include serving as a Board Member at the UK Space Agency, Chair of Trustees at the National Space Centre, Chair of Space Solar Ltd and Non-Exec Director of AAC Clyde Space.  Stuart is also Visiting Professor of Space Applications at Imperial College.

Professor Sheila Rowan FRS is the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. Since 2009, Professor Rowan has been Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research contributed to one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of this century: the first detection of gravitational waves announced in February 2016. This resulted in a share of the 2016 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for her and the members of her team in Glasgow. She received the Hoyle Medal and Prize of the IOP in 2016, the Harold Hartley Medal of the Institute of Measurement and Control in 2020 and was made a CBE in 2021.She received the (inaugural) Philip Leverhulme Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Sheila served from 2018 - 24 on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, latterly as its Senior Independent Member and Co-Chair. From 2016 - 21 she was the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government, and from 2021 - 23 served as President of the Institute of Physics (IoP). She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board for the UK National Quantum Technology Program.

Sharon joined Astroscale Ltd. in September 2020 to support the development of the Astroscale business in the UK and Europe. She is a senior leader with extensive experience and a strong reputation built up over 30 years. As Director for Government & Regulatory Affairs, Sharon leads on the company’s interaction with all levels of Westminster and relevant Government agencies as part of Astroscale’s commitment to getting licensing and regulation in place that will foster a sustainable space environment and market.

Sharon’s experience includes general management, strategic business development, driving companies from start up, through high growth and commercial development, senior customer account management, and business operations. Her experience also includes operational leadership for an international team of 500 staff.

Sharon regularly represents Astroscale and the in-orbit servicing industry in panel discussions on the value of a sustainable space environment and what we need to do to get there. 

Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS FRAS is Executive Chair, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Michele is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Professor of Space Physics at Imperial College. She led unmanned exploratory missions to Saturn and Jupiter, was Principal Investigator of the magnetometer instrument onboard the Cassini mission to Saturn and is Principal Investigator of the magnetometer for the European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) that launched in April 2023.

In addition to being awarded the Royal Astronomical Society Geophysics Gold medal, and a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List, Michele was also awarded the Institute of Physics Richard Glazebrook Gold Medal and Prize. She is President-Elect of the Institute of Physics and will formally take up the role of President in autumn 2025.

Professor Kate Robson Brown is Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, at University College Dublin, Ireland. In this role she leads both UCDResearch (discovery and applied research) and NovaUCD (enterprise and commercial activities). She is Professor of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Anthropology. She is a member of the Ireland National Advisory Forum for Space Research,  Honorary Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science and AI, President of the European Low Gravity Research Association,  ESA Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate advisor, co-chair of the UK Space Academic Network, and a Visiting Professor in Data Science at Strathmore University in Nairobi.  She is a Trustee of the Natural History Museum. Her research explores the computational modelling of the microstructure of living tissues and manufactured materials and their response to changing and extreme environments, including space. She has a collaborative ESA and UKSA funded experiment currently in orbit on the ISS.