Maggie Aderin

**Dame Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin** DBE HonFreng (born on 9 March 1968), wey dem formerly dey call **Maggie Aderin-Pocock**, be British space scientist den science educator. She be honorary research associate for University College London ein Department of Physics and Astronomy, wey she dey serve as Chancellor of University of Leicester since 1 March 2023. Since February 2014, she dey co-present de long-running astronomy TV programme *The Sky at Night* togeda plus Chris Lintott.

For 2020, Maggie receive de William Thomson Lord Kelvin Medal and Prize from de Institute of Physics secof ein public engagement work for physics for ein public engagement insyd physics. She be de first Black woman wey win gold medal for de Physics News Award, wey she serve as presido of de British Science Association from 2021 reach 2022.

= Early life den education =
Dem born Margaret Ebunoluwa Aderin for London on 9 March 968 to Nigerian parents, Caroline Philips den Justus Adebayo Aderin. She grow up for Camden, London. Ein middle name Ebunoluwa cam from Yoruba words: “ebun” wey mean *gift* den "Oluwa” wey mean *God*. De name be variation of Oluwabunmi anaa Olubunmi, wey mean *gift of God* for Yoruba language.** She attend La Sainte Union Convent School for North London insyd. She get Dyslexia. Wen she be kiddie, she go talk one of ein teachers say she wan cam be astronaut, de teacher suggest say make she try nursing instead, saying “because that one self be scientific.” Later she pass ein A-Levels for mathematics, physics, chemistry, den biology.

She study for Imperial College London, wer she graduate plus BSc for Physics for 1990. Later she cam plete ein PhD for Mechanical Engineering for 1994 under de supervision of Hugh Spikes. Ein research focus on de development of ultra-thin film measument system wey dem use spectroscopy den interferometry, wey fit measure reach about 2.5 nanometers (nm) level. De work involve improving de optical performance den mechanical design of de system, plus developing control den image-processing software. At dat time, oda techniques fit only measure to de micron level den dema resolution no be good like dis one. Secof dis development work, dem later sell de instrument thru PCS Instruments, one company wey cam out from Imperial College London as a university spin-off.

## Publications

* Maggie Aderin, *Starchild: My Life Under the Night Sky*, BBC Books, 2026 
* (as Maggie Aderin-Pocock), *The Story of the Solar System: A Visual Journey*, BBC Books, 2024 
* (as Maggie Aderin-Pocock), *Dr. Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System*, Buster Books, 2019, 
* (as Maggie Aderin-Pocock), Chelen Ecija, *The Knowledge: Stargazing*,  Quadrille Publishing, 2015, 
* Aderin, M. "Space Instrumentation: Physics and Astronomy in Harmony?" Paper presented at the Engineering and Physics – Synergy for Success, 5 October 2006, UK.
* 
* Barlow, M. J., A. S. Hales, P. J. Storey, X. W. Liu, Y. G. Tsamis, and M. E. Aderin. "Bhros High Spectral Resolution Observations of Pn Forbidden and Recombination Line Profiles." *Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union* 2, no. Symposium S234 (2006): 367–68.
* Aderin, M. E. "Bhros Installation and System Performance." Paper presented at the Ground-based Instrumentation for Astronomy, 21–25 June 2004, USA.
* Aderin, M., I. Crawford, P. D'Arrigo, and A. Charalambous. "High Resolution Optical Spectrograph (Hros): A Summary of Progress." Paper presented at the Conference on Optical and IR Telescope Instrumentation and Detectors, 27–31 March 2000, Munich, Germany.
* Aderin, M. E., and I. A. Burch. "Countermine: Hand Held and Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection." Paper presented at the Second International Conference on Detection of Abandoned Land Mines, 12–14 October 1998, London, UK. 
* Aderin, Margaret Ebunoluwa. "Interferometric Studies of Very Thin Lubricant Films in Concentrated Contacts."
* 
* 
* Cann, P. M., M. Aderin, G. J. Johnston, and H. A. Spikes. "An Investigation into the Orientation of Lubricant Molecules in EHD Contacts." In *Wear Particles: From the Cradle to the Grave*, edited by D. Dowson, G. Dalmaz, T. H. C. Childs, C. M. Taylor and M. Godet. 209–18: Elsevier Science Publishers, 1992.
* 

= References =


## External links

*Academic webpage