Scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock Honored With Her Own Barbie

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist and presenter of BBC’s The Sky at Night, has been honored with her own barbie. Aderin-Pocock was named as a Barbie Role Model for her work promoting science careers to girls.

For International Women’s Day, Mattel is making dolls of seven women worldwide who work in STEM, to encourage young women to pursue careers in the field.

Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock barbie

“I hope my doll will remind girls that when you reach for the stars, anything is possible,” Aderin-Pocock said in a BBC interview.

“These subjects are just too important to be left to the guys because through science, you can literally change the world.”

The London born scientist obtained her PhD in mechanical engineering at Imperial College. In an  interview with Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, she talked about her hatred for school after being diagnosed with dyslexia at 8 years old. While she struggled with reading and writing, science intrigued her.

Dr Aderin-Pocock said she fell “in love with the idea of space travel” and had since spent her career “trying to show girls how fascinating space science can be”.

“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.

“These subjects are just too important to be left to the guys because through science, you can literally change the world.”

Her doll has a starry dress reminiscent of the night sky and comes with a telescope accessory for stargazing, in relation to her work looking deep into space with the James Webb telescope.

Aderin-Pocock has worked on the Gemini telescope in Chile, the James Webb space telescope, was honored in 2009 as member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and recently named chancellor at University of Leicester.

With this new series, Barbie aims to highlight women in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

According to the American Association of University Women, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. And by showcasing multiple successful women in STEM, Mattel hopes bridge that gap by sparking children’s interest.

“Barbie is dedicated to showcasing women who are role models from all backgrounds, professions, and nationalities so that girls around the world can see themselves in careers that might not always seem as accessible,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel.