Ahlam Abdi (Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology BSc, 2023) is the Space Science Programmes Officer at the UK Space Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, responsible for the United Kingdom's civil space programme. The agency supports the government to boost UK prosperity, understand the Universe and protect our planet and outer space.

Where did your love for space begin?

My love for space came about at a really young age. I found a book filled with stories, including a page about the gas giants, specifically Saturn, and I was surprised to learn that there were other planets out there. The questions have never stopped.

What does your role at the UK Space Agency involve?

My role involves managing UK contributions to international space science missions under the National Space Science Programme and the Science & Exploration Bilateral Programme.

How did your time at King's shape your path towards space science?

I began my journey into the space sector by joining the KCL Space Society, where I ran their podcast Across the Kármán Line. Through this, I was able to meet people from across the international space sector, ranging from professors working in space-related fields to students studying space ethics. This experience helped me understand the breadth of opportunities the space sector could offer as a career.

After this, I went on to become President of KCL Space, hosting conferences such as the annual UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS) conference. Alongside more informal events, like pizza socials, I met the lifelong friends I have today, many of whom are also working in the space sector.

How did you land your current role?

I joined UKSEDS as a trustee, which allowed me to gain insight into what the UK Space Agency does. This led me to apply for a role as a Space Exploration Officer, where we explored topics such as where humans may one day live and work in space.

This path has led me to my current role in space science, managing space science missions and leading stakeholder engagement work.

What research or practical experiences during your degree helped develop your skills?

I was fortunate to secure a place on the King’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship under Dr Teppei Katori with the Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics group. I contributed to building Particle Shrine, which was displayed at Science Gallery London. This was a valuable experience that inspired my third-year project, in which we modelled the behaviour of muons and muon neutrinos.

Which skills from your degree have been most useful in your career?

One of the skills I developed during my degree was the ability to convey complex information to a range of audiences. This was largely due to the work we undertook in our third-year projects, where we presented our work to experts in the field and answered questions about the research methods we used. As a result, I now have the confidence to present my work to a variety of audiences, including the public.

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