We were privileged to host Dr Alice Bunn OBE, our second academic enrichment guest speaker of the term.
Dr Alice Bunn is a globally recognised leader in science and engineering, with a distinguished career spanning strategic leadership, international diplomacy, and public engagement. Dr Bunn is regularly called upon as a media expert contributor to all things space and engineering, appearing on BBC, Radio 4, ITN, Sky News and a speaker at international summits and conferences such as Davos, UN Summits, TEDx and more.
Dr Bunn delivered two key-note presentations, the ‘New Space Race’ presentations highlighted society’s growing dependence on space systems for critical services such as weather forecasting, navigation, and early disease warning. Dr Bunn also outlined key space-related risks including the Kessler syndrome, the challenges of lower-cost but less ‘space-qualified’ launches, rising commercial traffic, and exploring the future of space technology through innovations like spacecraft refuelling.
The lecture also included two career-based workshops to interested students from Sevenoaks School and Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School. Questions included: What is the future of mechanical engineering? What is becoming the most important skill in MechEng? What educational paths were most significant in helping you your current professional position?
It is clear that international diplomacy and cooperation is as important in space as it is on land.
