By Neve Dawson, Third-Year English and History
Artemis programme member and University of Bristol alumni, Col. Anne McClain is set to return to Bristol to discuss her life and career after 204 days out of the atmosphere.
As a Senior Army Aviator, Navy Test Pilot and Flight Engineer, Col. Anne McClain’s career so far has been nothing but decorated and inspiring. To name an example of her success, the former student has led not one but two spacewalks on the International Space Station totalling 13 hours.
For McClain, however, another large-step for mankind must always be taken. Following her membership to the NASA Artemis programme in 2020, McClain joined the race to put astronauts back on the moon by 2024 and create a permanent base on the natural satellite.
The Bristol’s alumni might just feature the first woman to step on the moon, making McClain a front-page promoter for not only scientific endeavour but also for all women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Col. McClain returns to her former University on the 31st of July to give a public talk and Q&A as well as to receive a well-deserved honorary degree. Tickets are free and distributed on a ‘first come, first serve basis’.
When asked about the upcoming event, McClain stated:
‘I am humbled to be receiving this honorary degree. Bristol was a great place to launch my career from, and I am looking forward to being back!’
Located in Priory Road Lecture Theatre, McClain will share her experiences, covering everything and anything from her MSc in International Relations to her career on Earth and outside of it.
Professor Lucy Berthoud is said to host the event, representing the Space System Engineering Department at the University - one of the best aerospace departments in the country producing a plethora of successful students and pioneering research. Professor Berthoud said:
‘We are thrilled to welcome Colonel McClain here to receive an honorary doctorate from Bristol. Her career is a shining example to all our graduates as to what they can achieve!’
