Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut to orbit Earth for eight days, has made an indelible mark in the fields of science, technology, and space exploration. In 1991, she became the first Briton to travel to space, following her selection from over 13,000 applicants. Her historic mission aboard the Soyuz TM-12 not only made her the first British astronaut but also the first Western European woman to venture into space and visit the Mir Space Station. Since her return to Earth, Helen has been a passionate advocate for science and space exploration, dedicating her life to inspiring future generations.
As a renowned figure in science outreach, Helen currently serves as the President of the Institute of Science & Technology. She also holds the position of UK Outreach Ambassador for Imperial College London and serves as an ambassador for the Royal Osteoporosis Society. In her various roles, Helen specialises in motivational speaking, with a particular focus on inspiring women, promoting STEM careers, and sharing her experiences as an astronaut. She uses her story to motivate audiences, offering insights into teamwork, preparation, and the challenges of living and working in space.
Before her journey into space, Helen had an impressive academic background, holding a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield and a PhD from Birkbeck, University of London. Her early career saw her working as a chemist for Mars and a Research & Development Technologist for GEC. However, it was in 1989, after responding to a radio advert, that she was selected as Britain’s first astronaut, making her mark in history. Since then, Helen has received numerous accolades, including an Honorary Fellowship from the British Science Association and the prestigious Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her contributions to science and technology.
In addition to her remarkable career in space and science, Helen has authored two books: her autobiography Seize the Moment and a children’s book The Space Place. With 11 honorary doctorates and countless awards to her name, Helen Sharman continues to be a leading figure in science communication, dedicated to encouraging the next generation to explore the wonders of space and innovation.
Helen Sharman is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Helen was approachable, inspiring, engaging and entertaining – excellent! We would highly recommend her.”
“The feedback from our event has been overwhelming. You proved a huge hit and very inspiring. We were so thrilled that you were able to join us and even more delighted by your words of wisdom, all delivered in a beautifully self-deprecating way and with a great sense of humour.”
“We were delighted with our first virtual event, with Helen Sharman, which covered the challenges of working as a team in extreme conditions and in isolation. The results were excellent and much appreciated by the wider group. Helen handled the brief superbly, and she was calm and patient as we worked through the technical details before the event.”
“It was AWESOME, it went super smoothly and Helen was a peach. Her story is amazing! And the guys at AWS and CC really tied in what they were saying with her.”
The Inspirational Leadership Speakers Agency is one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspiring global leaders. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, each with top industry insight into leadership.
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