Dr Sarah Beardsley, RAL Space Director to move on

Sarah has led RAL Space for 4 years, during which she has cemented the organisation’s position as the UK’s National Space Laboratory. 

Sarah also developed and launched the RAL Space Strategy, and reshaped the department to ensure it is set up to respond to the rapidly-evolving space sector, and to provide leadership on the thinking, capabilities and facilities needed to power its success. 

Impact across science, engineering and technology development

STFC’s mission to discover the secrets of the Universe has motivated Sarah throughout her 26 years at RAL Space. From her early work as an instrument scientist on the organisation’s first mission to the Moon, through to RAL Space’s proliferation of recent instruments to study the Moon, Sun and Earth systems, Sarah has been a vocal advocate for the role that research and technology development play in ensuring our society’s resilience and economic growth. 

Sarah’s tenure has overseen an expanding service for small and large space businesses to get their missions space-ready, with the National Satellite Test Facility’s first years in operation and the opening of the Small Satellite Calibration Facility with the National Physical Laboratory.  

At the heart of Sarah’s leadership is her passion for championing opportunities for her teams’ development, particularly for early careers staff. Her work with the STFC graduate scheme has supported a generation of scientists and engineers to get the skills and experiences they need for the careers of the future. She has inspired the public and connected them with the excitement and impact of space missions.   

Dr Sarah Beardsley said: 

“Working alongside such a talented, committed and inspiring group of people has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. RAL Space has been a huge part of my professional life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent so many years working with colleagues who care so deeply about what we do and the impact we have.” 

Dr Roger Eccleston, STFC Executive Director, National Laboratories said:

“Sarah’s leadership is rooted in her belief that our strength lies in the expertise and commitment of our people. Because of this, she galvanised teams to achieve an extraordinary amount, both in RAL Space and across STFC. It has been a pleasure to work with her, and I wish her every success in her next steps.” 

Professor Michele Dougherty, STFC Executive Chair said:

“Sarah’s inclusive, collaborative approach has brought together space activities from across STFC and UKRI for the first time and ensured that we can be a driving force in delivering the government’s ambitions for space. Her boundless energy and strategic vision has put RAL Space in a strong position to deliver on its mission to ensure the success of the UK space sector. I wish her all the best for her future endeavours.”