Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Space scientist, educator and broadcaster, Dr Maggie has spent her career opening up science to wider audiences whove never seen themselves reflected in STEM.

This portrait is part of the Empowering Her Collection, featuring the women shaping Britain today.

A woman who looked to the moon and made space feel possible.

Her path wasn't easy. Dyslexic, moving between thirteen schools growing up, she built a career few would have predicted. Working on the James Webb Space Telescope, then bringing science to hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren, before becoming one of the most recognisable faces of British science as co-presenter of BBC's The Sky at Night.

As a Black woman in a field with vanishingly few, she has spent that career making sure other children could see themselves in it too.

Dr Maggie Alderin Pocock Head Shot

During the portrait sitting, Dame Maggie answered questions from local schoolgirls with the same seriousness she'd give a lecture hall.

Her work reflects a rare kind of generosity: taking a subject built on precision and complexity, and making it feel open, playful and possible for anyone curious enough to look up.

This portrait reflects that spirit directly. It draws on her lifelong fascination with the moon, using circular form and celestial symbolism to capture curiosity, wonder and imagination.

In Conversation: behind the portrait

An edited excerpt from the conversation between Caroline de Peyrecave and -, recorded during the portrait’s unveiling at Caroline’s studio.

Nazanin: Wow, that is so beautiful. Oh my goodness! There's something special about the eyes. It’s absolutely amazing. You are incredible I think. The hands as well. I’ve got something about hands. Oh and the Origami. And the carpet. Thank you. That's really beautiful. It’s absolutely stunning.

Caroline: You're welcome. Thank you. Enjoy it and enjoy it with Richard.

Nazanin: No, it's really, really beautiful. Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Caroline: So it's called Held in Plain Sight. And this [the Origami still life] is called What Cannot Be Folded.

Nazanin: Oh, nice. Yeah, that does it again. What cannot be folded. Yeah. Really beautiful. Thank you.

Caroline: You’re welcome.

Watch the full conversation with all eight sitters

Recorded at Green & Stone Gallery at the Private View of Empowering Her. This conversation features Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Emma Barnett, Sally Phillips, Lady Phyll, Daryl Fielding, Zoe Stratford and General Dame Sharon Nesmith.

  • “

    — Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Explore the collection

  • Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe Portrait Thumbnail

    Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

    A writer, mother and human rights advocate, Nazanin’s six years of unjust imprisonment demanded extraordinary resilience.

  • Sally Phillips

    Comedian, actor and writer, Sally Phillips has built a career by telling the truth through humour.

  • General Dame Sharon Nesmith

    The first female four-star general and the highest-ranking military officer in the British Army, General Nesmith's career has reshaped what's possible for women in the Army.

  • Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

    Co-founder of UK Black Pride and a global LGBTQ+ advocate, Lady Phyll has spent her life creating space for others to exist fully and safely.

  • Emma Barnett

    Award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Emma has built a career centred on listening deeply.

  • Zoe Stratford

    Captain of England’s Red Roses and World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, Zoe has become one of the defining leaders in women’s rugby.

  • Daryl Fielding

    Marketing leader and creative force behind Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, Daryl Fielding helped transform how women and girls see themselves.

  • Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock

    Space scientist, educator and broadcaster, Dr Maggie has spent her career opening up science to wider audiences who’ve never seen themselves reflected in STEM.