Astronaut Dr Kathy Sullivan at the Media Studio
Dr. Kathy Sullivan and Dr. Helen Szoor-McElhinney discuss a career of firsts.
We’ve had the privilege of welcoming a variety of experts into the studio: from climate scientists and human rights lawyers to leading figures in AI, and everything in between. One of the perks of my job is that I get to film and edit incredibly interesting conversations.
Last week was particularly special. We were visited by Dr Kathy Sullivan, a scientist, astronaut, and explorer. Dr Sullivan was not only the first American woman to perform a spacewalk, but she also made history as the first person to have been in both outer space and the deepest part of the ocean. As a renowned oceanographer and former NASA astronaut, Dr Sullivan has skilfully navigated both domains.
Kicking off with a lecture at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, Kathy had a packed schedule in Scotland; this included workshops with postgraduate students and visits to sites of interest, such as the ship in Dundee, the RRS Discovery, that inspired her career in oceanography — do look it up on your next trip north.
Kathy visited the Media Studio to contribute to The Bayes Centre’s Space Bridges project, a UK Space Agency-funded initiative offering short courses to upskill and inspire the future space workforce. We produced videos for five courses in record time, and it’s been both a pleasure and an exciting challenge, incorporating innovative elements like space-themed virtual backdrops and open-source stock from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We have striven to excel and match the efforts of the rest of the team.
The discussion between Dr Kathy Sullivan and Dr Helen Szoor-McElhinney, who moderated the event, was thoroughly engaging. They covered topics such as Kathy’s scientific career, the space industry, the future of space exploration, her role as a NOAA administrator and user of space data, alongside plenty of anecdotes and stories reflecting her profound curiosity and dedication to the field.
We can’t wait to share the video with all of you so that you can feel inspired and motivated to pursue your own ambitions. In the meantime, find out more about the courses and see if you can find the spark to be part of the future space workforce. The project is dedicated to encouraging applications from those who have taken a career break or come from a disadvantaged background.
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