Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a prominent British space scientist, has been recognized as a “Barbie Role Model” by toy manufacturer Mattel for making space and science more accessible to girls. Her customized ‘Her’ doll is dressed in a starry outfit and comes with a miniature telescope accessory, paying tribute to her work with the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Aderin-Pocock is one of the seven women honored in this collection, including YouTube CEO Anne Wojcicki and Prof. Dr. Antje Boetiusi, a professor of Paediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of California.
Dr. Aderin-Pocock is hopeful that the new Barbie doll based on her will inspire young girls to pursue their dreams, stating that she wants to “remind girls that when you reach for the stars, anything is possible.” She has spent her career making space science more accessible to girls. She was recently appointed as the new chancellor at the University of Leicester, known for space research.
Mattel UK’s Marketing Director, Kelly Philp, expressed Barbie’s commitment to showcasing more STEM careers for girls, as the field is widely recognized for under-representing women globally. Philp says, “In the UK, women make up only 26% of the STEM workforce, so highlighting exciting careers such as Dr. Maggie’s in space science is one way Barbie aims to inspire girls to consider STEM fields as viable career options.”
