The RAL Space Early Careers Conference was created to bring together the early space career community to build connections, celebrate the work they are doing and look to the future of space together.
The conference will bring together a range of professionals who will share their experiences, advice and insight into the space sector, giving attendees a great opportunity to network.
There will be the opportunity for attendees to develop their communication and presentation skills and showcase their work by designing a poster or delivering a lightning talk.
Register:
Register for free via Eventbrite
About the conference:
When:
Wednesday 29 May 2024, 09:00 - 17:00
Where:
RAL Visitor Centre R112
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell Campus
Didcot
OX11 0QX
or online via Zoom
Who for:
The conference is aimed at anyone who feels that they are early career in the space sector. We welcome individuals from all types of space related backgrounds.
Additional information:
Although the conference is free to attend all other arrangements (accommodation and travel) must be made individually by attendees. Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided at the conference. There will be an option to sign up for a site tour on the day, numbers are limited so it will be first come first serve.
Contact:
If you have any further questions regarding the RAL Space Early Careers Conference 2024 then feel free to email the conference committee at the following email: RALSPACEESCC24@stfc.ac.uk
Programme:
Welcome Talks Speakers: Conference Committee, Hugh Mortimer – Senior Research Scientist / National Laboratories Associate Director, Helen Johnson – Head of STFC Skills Centre
Introduction to RAL Space, overview of STFC Skills Centre and their early careers support and opportunities.
Skills Gap Workshop Speakers: spacecareers.uk - non-profit organization supporting careers in the space sector.
Interactive workshop discussing the professional skills needed to be successful in the space industry.
Career Journeys Panel
Speakers: Hugh Mortimer – Senior Research Scientist / National Laboratories Associate Director (chair), Joanna Hart – Space Partnership Director, Sir Martin Sweeting – Executive Chairman at SSTL, Oscar Gonzalez – Project Scientist for UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Panel discussing speakers’ careers, training and experience people have found useful, skills people have needed and how to overcome imposter syndrome.
Lightning Talks
Speakers: Attendees!
There will be two sessions of lightning talks giving an opportunity for attendees to discuss their careers, research and give advice to their peers. There is the option to submit a talk in the registration form – if we are oversubscribed the committee will select which talks we would like to include but thank you to everyone who makes a submission!
Future of the Space Sector Panel
Speakers: Zoe Dale – Graduate Cluster Manager at STFC (chair), Sarah Beardsley – Director for RAL Space, Jenny Turvey – Strategic Space Policy Lead at DSIT
Panel discussing where the space sector is going, the shift in priorities and the role of the space sector in the climate crisis.
Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Meganne Christian – Reserve Astronaut for UKSA and ESA / Commercialisation Lead at UKSA
More information will be announced shortly!
Poster Session
We will be holding a poster session during the coffee breaks to give attendees a chance to network and see what their peers have been working on. We encourage attendees to submit their posters! The poster can be on anything career-related: your research, a particular experience you’ve had or maybe some skills you have found important. We ask that all posters contain one piece of advice to others early in their career. Please submit posters via our email: ralspaceESCC24@stfc.ac.uk.
Networking Event
We will be hosting a networking event after the conference at DiSH on the Harwell Campus. Please feel free to join us to network with your peers!
* More speakers to be announced shortly! *
