Dr Helen Sharman

Astronaut Dr Helen Sharman is a pioneer, role model, and world-class inspirational speaker. She became the first British Astronaut in May 1991, when she launched into Earth orbit as part of a space station crew.

An engaging speaker, Helen shares her own experiences of astronaut training, rocket launch, and life in space to discuss teamwork and leadership, communication and collaboration, motivation and resilience, risk, problem solving, and the benefits and challenges of spaceflight.

Dr Helen is often invited to speak worldwide at company, public, industry, association, government, academic, and school events.

“Challenges and uncertainty are part of daily life for astronauts. The right preparation and a good understanding of teamwork saves lives and enables people to push through individual boundaries to make fantastic achievements for everyone.”

Booking is easy with Great British Talent. To find out availability and fees for Dr Helen Sharman or any other talent for your corporate event or project, contact our Great British Talent agents via [email protected], or call us on +44 1753 439289.

Alternatively, fill out our talent enquiry form here – we’ll aim to respond within the hour. Our knowledgeable team of experts can handle all aspects of your booking to ensure it runs flawlessly.

Type Of Speaker

Business & Finance Diversity Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Exploration & Military Female Speakers High Performance Leadership & Teamwork Personal Development Resilience Speaker STEM Stem

More About Dr Helen Sharman

Following a degree in Chemistry at the University of Sheffield, Dr Helen Sharman started her career in industry in research and development of display screens at GEC before moving to Mars Confectionery as a Research Technologist to work on chocolate and ice cream. Later she enjoyed operations management at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory, Kingston University and Imperial College London, where she is now the UK Outreach Ambassador.

She didn’t think she stood a chance of being selected when she applied to go into space after hearing an announcement on the car radio. Over 13,000 people applied for this one-off opportunity to become the first British astronaut. But Helen was exactly the type of person they were looking for – calm, practical, friendly, professional, and a team player.

Before starting her training, she underwent a rigorous selection process with psychological and medical assessments, technical understanding, and practical skills, followed by 18 months of spaceflight training, which included learning Russian and preparing for high-g speeds.

Helen launched into space in May 1991; acting as part of a crew for special operations and conducting experiments in space, she also communicated with British school students via a radio link.

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Dr Helen Sharman | Life After Space

Helen is the President of the IST (Institute of Science and Technology) and she sits on the Science Museum’s Advisory Board. She is an active member of the Association of Space Explorers.

Hele hosts the Zero Pressure podcast series, a relaxed conversation with others, looking at how science and technology can contribute to solving complex, interrelated global challenges of today and the future.

She was also the host of the eight-part podcast series, Discover Your Inner Astronaut. Together with astronaut Nicole Stott, they pick their favourite stories from space to help us build on our everyday skills and emotions to enhance our lives.

In 1993, Helen published Seize the Moment: The Autobiography of Britain’s First Astronaut, which tells her life and space story.

Dr Helen Sharman | Awards and Accolades

Helen has won numerous prizes for radio and TV programmes and for her inspirational talks on teamwork, STEM, and our future with a commercial space economy.

In the New Year Honours List 2018, Helen was made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George for services to Science and Technology Educational Outreach.

Other accolades and awards include:

– OBE for her Pioneering Work
– Star in the Sheffield Walk of Fame
– Member of the Association of Space Explorers
– Chartered Chemist and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
– Member of the Society for Chemistry and Industry
– Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
– Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society
– Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
– Fellow of the Institute of Science and Technology

She also holds honorary degrees and fellowships from the British Science Association, Brunel University, Kingston University London, Plymouth University, Robert Gordon University, Science Museum, Sheffield Hallam University, Southampton Institute, Staffordshire University, University of Birmingham, University of Exeter, University of Hull, University of Kent, University of Leicester, University of Sheffield, and University of Surrey.

Dr Helen Sharman | Speaker

Helen is often invited to speak worldwide at corporate, public, government, academic and school events, on subjects including teamwork, leadership and achieving goals. These relate to her career, training and experiences as an astronaut, which she combines with her subsequent management experience.

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Dr Helen Sharman | Speaking Topics

– STEM
– Leadership
– Teamwork
– Astronaut Training
– Life in Space
– Communication
– Collaboration
– Motivation
– Resilience
– Problem Solving
– High-Pressure Environments
– Mindset

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Dr Helen Sharman for your next live event or corporate video.

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Testimonials

We were delighted with our first virtual event, with speaker Helen Sharman, which covered the challenges of working as a team in extreme conditions and in isolation. The results were excellent and much appreciated. Helen handled the brief superbly, and she was calm and patient as we worked through the technical details before the event.
Clinigen

Amazing presentation from Helen Sharman. Totally on-point. Hit all the right notes. Superb. Recommend her without hesitation.
BNP Paribas London

Space is genderless. Our audience were captivated, listening to Helen. Thousands of hopefuls applied for her job, but the final selection was based, in large part, on how well the astronauts worked together. Helen broke new ground for Britain. She was motivated to do a good job, to the very best of her ability, and to enable others to do the same. True leaders are “enablers”, people who have the qualities to help and support their colleagues. A superb speaker, Helen’s closing advice was simply to “Go for it”. That is what we intend to do.
NHS Confederation Annual Conference

Thank you so much for your presentation at our Staff Conference. Our theme “To be the best” could not have been emphasised more clearly. Your speech was inspirational and certainly struck home with the right messages including how vital we are to each other. The subject of space travel is fascinating in itself, but you somehow managed to bring that experience to life in all of us, leaving us with the feeling of being part of that mission with you. I can safely say that all our expectations were exceeded.
Flagship Housing Group Ltd

I just wanted to say an absolutely huge thank you to Helen (& to Diana) for Helen’s talk at Bluedot 2019. It was a complete tour de force. She performed it with her heart and soul and was inspiring, entertaining, wonderfully informative and clear. The Q&A was really great: I’m delighted that we managed to spot so many of the younger members of the audience with their hands up!
Professor Teresa Anderson MBE, Director, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Site 2019

I write to offer sincere thanks for the splendid talk you gave at the School. You captured students’ imagination and filled them with enthusiasm. You did more in that hour-and-a-half then we shall do for the remainder of the year.
Loughborough Grammar School

I must reiterate my thanks for a truly thought-provoking and inspiring presentation. You covered precisely the ground that I hoped you would, with messages very relevant to us – not being afraid to ask for help when we need it, the adaptability to change, trusting technology, sharing unpleasant tasks, and all members of the team contributing what they can. You brought home the concept that energy and commitment are essential ingredients to success, in your own style. I‘ve had extremely positive feedback. The silence in the room whilst you were speaking and the level of interest in the questions afterwards demonstrate that you commanded everyone’s complete attention! It was great to have you as our guest speaker. Again, many thanks.
Ernst & Young, UK

I was lucky enough to hear Helen speak at the recent UK Space Conference in Liverpool. She was a superb presenter – lively, engaging, humorous, honest and insightful. She gave the audience an inside perspective on her selection and mission to the Mir space station.
Richard Hollingham, Science and Space Journalist

Helen Sharman was excellent. Thanks especially for all the extra care and time she spent meeting everyone after her talk with our wonderfully engaged crowd. People travelled specially from Glasgow and London to hear Helen, and we were delighted to see so many young people at this event. One of our aims is to show how creative and fun it is working in Science and that so many doors are open to everyone to explore further and make a difference. Helen completely embodied this by delivering such a wonderful presentation.
Leeds Festival

This short note is to express our thanks for the superb presentation you gave at our Conference. The response from everyone was overwhelming: we’re sure this was a result of the momentum and motivation they drew from your presentation. The effect has been so stimulating for our staff that we are considering how we can use your motivational approach. Thank you again.
Moat Housing Group

We’ve received many accolades for securing such an outstanding speaker. We very much appreciated Helen’s tone, enthusiasm and content, ideally suited to our audience. Thank you for making our event such an outstanding success.
Deputy Chairman, Birmingham City