Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and presenter of BBC One’s The Sky at Night and CBeebies Stargazing, is being honoured with a Barbie Role Model.
Ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, Aderin-Pocock — who was declared the new chancellor at the University of Leicester earlier this month — is one of a group of STEM professionals celebrated by Barbie and its parent company Mattel.
The astronomer told the BBC she has spent much of her career “trying to show girls how fascinating space science can be”. Aderin-Pocock’s doll dons a purple dress dotted with stars, and is accompanied with a telescope accessory for stargazing.
“I want to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially girls, and let them know that STEM [science, technology, engineering, and maths] is for them,” she said. “When I was little, Barbie didn’t look like me, so to have one created in my likeness is mind-boggling. It’s such an honour to receive this doll that is celebrating my achievements.”
The other dolls in the series will celebrate the Wojcicki sisters: former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, founder of 23andMe Anne Wojcicki, and Professor Janet Wojcicki. The group also includes marine researcher and microbiologist Dr. Antje Boetius, founder of ETU Education Yinuo Li, and electrical engineer Katya Echazarreta.
Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, said in a statement, “STEM is a field where women are severely underrepresented, and our hope is that honoring these seven leaders in science and technology will encourage girls to follow their passion in this field.”
