No two days are the same in my role, which is exactly how I like it! One day, I might be planning ahead, crafting a communications strategy for high-profile initiatives like our International Bilateral Fund; the next, I’m meeting with external stakeholders to bring these plans to life, joining an international visit for a conference, or translating complex space topics into accessible content through a press release for GOV.UK.

A big part of my job is relationship-building - whether it’s working with industry partners, government teams, or colleagues at other space agencies, my goal is to ensure the UK Space Agency’s international work is seen, understood, and celebrated. That can mean handling press or media inquiries, but also working closely with colleagues to shape the right messaging and find impactful ways to showcase how we, as an agency, bring the value of space to people worldwide. I also lead communication efforts for big international events like the Space Symposium and the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), to put the UK front-and-centre on the global stage.

My fast-paced, always-evolving role brings together creativity, my passion for turning ideas into reality, and love of travelling and working with people from all over the world - all things that bring me massive joy!

Hands-down having the daily realisation that I am living 10-year-old Mariam's dream! I'll be in a meeting or editing a video, hearing my colleagues talk about the work that we're doing to make human habitation on the Moon possible, or our involvement in going to Mars - and I get the overwhelming feeling that this is exactly where I belong.

As a huge space nerd, I grew up thinking that a career in space was not possible unless I somehow became an astronaut or scientist. But now, I get to play a role in shaping how we tell the story of space exploration and innovation to the world. Whether it's creating accessible content, engaging with international partners, or standing in a room full of people who share the same passion, it's a constant reminder that space is for everyone - including a kid who once thought it was out of reach!

I have always refused to buy NASA merch from any shops, having told myself that I would one day find a "legit" way to score it from the source itself, even before I started working in space. In 2022, we hosted a NASA Moon-to-Mars Workshop in London and as a thank you, I was personally given a NASA pin by Dr. Kurt “Spuds” Vogel, the Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at the time. This was totally unexpected (I was already over the moon at just leading the comms for the event) - and definitely a career highlight for me!