Niamh’s journey is one of transformative ambition. Leaving behind careers in academia and the performing arts, she pursued her dream of experiencing space, sharing the wonder of science with global audiences. As a speaker, she blends warmth, humour, and expertise to inspire audiences with stories of Antarctica, Mars mission simulations, and her commitment to a sustainable future.
As a keynote speaker and MC, Niamh captivates audiences by framing space as a perspective that highlights our interconnected role in planetary stewardship. Her talks on climate action, transformational change, and “Dreaming Big” have resonated with over 25,000 people. With over a decade of experience inspiring audiences from students to corporate leaders, and as the author of Dream Big (Mercier Press), Niamh empowers others to embrace their potential and make an impact.
With a PhD in science and two honours degrees in engineering, Niamh is a recognised advocate for environmental stewardship. She has delivered her message on platforms including The Irish Times, BBC, RTE, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. She is the first Irish ESA (European Space Agency) Champion and an international Fellow of The Explorers Club. Her experience includes Mars analogue missions and zero-gravity flights, demonstrating her commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration and education.
Highlights:
- First Irish person to complete a simulated Mars mission (USA), a zero-gravity flight (Moscow), and a Mars analogue field trip in the Kalahari Desert (Africa)
- Expeditions in extreme environments, including the Arctic Circle and Antarctica (Women in STEM Leadership Voyage)
- Featured in over 200 science/space segments on BBC News, Sky News, RTE Prime Time, RTE Radio, BBC Radio, The Irish Times, and BBC Sky at Night
- Host of Humans of Space podcast, interviewing over 15 NASA, ESA, and CSA astronauts, including Chris Hadfield
- Delivered over 50 national and international keynotes, including TEDxUCD, TEDxAUBG, and at Áras an Uachtaráin
Dreaming Big: Dr. Niamh Shaw is on a personal mission to reach space, driven by a desire to challenge her own limits and share Earth’s profound beauty from above. As a first-generation college graduate from small-town Ireland, her journey reflects the power of breaking through self-imposed barriers. Growing up in a home that encouraged STEM, she often wrestled with unconscious biases about what she could achieve as a woman in science. In her keynote, Dr. Shaw reveals how shifting from a “finite” to “infinite” mindset transformed her ambitions and can inspire audiences to do the same.
This empowering talk is ideal for Women in STEM events and audiences seeking motivation to rewrite personal narratives. Key takeaways include embracing new stories, understanding the power of mentors, and realising that “seeing is believing.” Her message resonates across generations, sparking courage and a renewed sense of possibility.
Women in STEM Events: Dr. Niamh Shaw, a respected science communicator, returned from an unforgettable 2023 Antarctic voyage with 99 Women in STEM leaders, each dedicated to addressing climate change. Immersed in the vast Southern oceans, she encountered penguins, whales, and towering icebergs, witnessing firsthand nature’s stark climate story. This powerful experience left her deeply committed to sharing insights on global climate change and the urgent lessons learned from Antarctica.
Through engaging storytelling, Dr. Shaw recounts her Antarctic journey, explores what followed, and dives into the Homeward Bound initiative—a global expedition program for Women in STEM leaders. Her talks provide a rare blend of adventure and science, making climate change personal, tangible, and impactful. Dr. Shaw’s presentation offers audiences an inspiring, story-driven experience, perfect for organizations seeking to raise climate awareness and connect communities to meaningful action.
Living in Space – Discover Sustainable Living Through the Eyes of a Mars Explorer: Dr. Niamh Shaw offers a fresh, eye-opening perspective on Earth from her experience on a simulated Mars mission in Utah’s desert. Spending 15 days with limited resources changed her approach to everyday life and deepened her commitment to climate action. In her talk, she reveals how space exploration teaches us sustainable living practices that can be applied to our lives, workplaces, and communities.
Her engaging workshops and presentations on Space for Sustainability and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are designed to inspire audiences to reimagine how we care for our planet. By highlighting resourcefulness in extreme environments, she shows how sustainable solutions in space can transform how we live on Earth. Dr. Shaw’s events are perfect for those looking to explore exciting, science-based insights with real-world applications, bringing a sense of urgency and hope to sustainability efforts.
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