More Women In Space events promised following inaugural success

Organisers of Women In Space have promised future events following rave reviews from attendees of its first Networking Reception, held in London earlier this month.

Around 100 guests attended the inaugural Women In Space Networking Reception on 8 November, which aimed to bring together and inspire women working in the space industry, highlighting the need for diversity and creativity in the sector.

L-R: Della Granville, Dr Louise Butt, Avril Jolliffe, Laurie Farris and Stephanie Ayres.

The invitation-only event, held at the US Embassy, was the idea of Avril Jolliffe, Director General for Industry, Trade and Economic Security at the Ministry of Defence and was supported by The Aerospace Corporation, Maxar and Space South Central.

Laurie Farris, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs for the US Government’s International Trade Administration in the UK, kindly hosted the event at the US Embassy and opened the event with a warm welcome to women from across the sector.

In her keynote, Avril Jolliffe emphasised the recruitment and retention challenges faced by the space sector, stating: “We need to use our imagination to break out of the habit of hiring the same sorts of people and instead embrace diversity in all its glorious forms.”

A central theme for the speakers that followed was the many different routes to space careers and how factors like not having STEM qualifications, pivoting career paths or changing sectors don’t have to be barriers to success.  Della Granville, Director of UK Business Development and Government Relations at Maxar; Stephanie Ayres, Public Affairs and Communications for The Aerospace Corporation; and Space South Central’s Enterprise Network Director, Dr Louise Butt, shared their inspiring stories.

Della Granville addresses delegates at the Women In Space Networking Reception.

Women at all stages in their careers and representing a range of organisations then networked over drinks and canapes.  There were delegates from UK government – including the Ministry of Defence, UK Space Agency and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – the US government, UK space clusters, universities, and space industry businesses from start-ups and SMEs to global corporations.

After being inundated with positive feedback, the people and organisations behind Women In Space are keen to hold similar events in the future.  One attendee wrote: “So thrilled to have joined so many inspiring women in the space sector.  

“The challenges that humanity faces today are so huge and require our collective creativity from across the breadth of society to address them.  It was great to hear about the varied paths that so many of us have taken into the sector.”

Describing the event as ‘a truly inspirational evening’, another wrote: “It was a total triumph!  I felt it was a really special moment: we are on the cusp of something very empowering for women in space.”

Avril Jolliffe said:

“The event provided a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment to network with influential women from a range of government, academic and industry partners. 

“It emphasised the multitude of backgrounds, pathways and pivots we have taken in our careers to get to where we are.  There is no ‘right’ way into the space community, and that is what makes our sector so great.

“It was a genuine pleasure to be part of the energy unique to a room full of women who want to lift each other up.”

Stephanie Ayres added:

“In these challenging times, we need to know that we can move quickly to remove any barriers to protecting and defending our values and way of life.  To do that well, we need competent collaborators on speed dial.  

“This event gave me the opportunity to get to know the women who will be at the forefront of securing our future either in, through or from space.  I very much look forward to the next event.”

Della Granville said:

“My experience in space informs my belief that we need both technical and broader non-STEM skills in the space workforce.  We need people with qualities such as leadership, drive, determination, persistence, adaptability, passion, collaboration, communication, work ethic, and emotional intelligence. 

“Organisational culture is also a huge factor regardless of the education of the workforce.  I am lucky to work for a company that prizes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and holds us all accountable through clear corporate values. 

“We need to build a space network that supports women and drives DE&I.  We need to help one another and pay forward to those climbing up: to quote a Maxar Value: ‘We Work Better Together!’.”

Space South Central will help deliver the next Women In Space event.  Dr Louise Butt said:

“While our sector is changing rapidly, less than 30% of women make up the UK space workforce.  We must break down the barriers that discourage broader participation in space-related careers and prevent women from realising their full potential. 

“This year, Space South Central committed to making space careers as attractive and rewarding as possible, recognising the importance of a diverse workforce to ensure a prosperous future for all humanity. 

“We were delighted to support the first Women in Space event, an opportunity for our community to meet new faces, share stories and nurture our space sisters.”