Professor Michele Dougherty, the newly appointed Astronomer Royal, is best known for discoveries that have reshaped how scientists think about the possibility of life elsewhere in the Solar System. Now the first woman to hold the historic title, she brings a strong belief in the likelihood of extraterrestrial life grounded in science.
In a role steeped in tradition, Dougherty blends a career in planetary physics with a commitment to public engagement, aiming to spark national curiosity about space and its potential to reveal life beyond Earth.
