Members

Join a growing network of universities, academics, researchers, stakeholders and organisations working together to share knowledge, build connections and create impact.

SPAN provides a collective voice for space-related research in the UK, with dedicated Working Groups that bring together the community to share expertise, discuss key issues and foster collaboration. See the SPAN organogram for an overview of the Working Groups and how they connect across the SPAN community, and view upcoming meeting dates to find out when each group meets.

To join a Working Group and get involved, please contact info@span.ac.uk.

The SPAN Board comprises the Chair of SPAN, Chairs of the Working Groups, representatives of contributing universities, UKSA, government-funded laboratories and UKRI, as set out in the SPAN Terms of Reference.

Join a growing network of universities, academic contributors, engaged stakeholders and organisations working together through SPAN to share knowledge, build connections and create meaningful impact.

SPAN Board Members

Professor Mark Sims

Professor in Astrobiology and Space Instrumentation. * - SPAN Co-Chair.

Professor Anna Hogg

Professor of Earth Observation at University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment. * - SPAN Co-Chair. - Chair of the Earth Observation Working Group.

Professor Kate Robson-Brown

UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact. * -SPAN Board (Former Co-Chair).

Professor Andrea Cammarano

Professor of Space Engineering and Head of the Astronautics Research Group at University of Southampton. * - Chair of the Engineering and Technology Working Group.

Dr Carly Beckerman

Associate Professor of International Relations at Durham University. * - Chair of Space and Society Working Group.

Professor Don Pollacco

Department of Physics at University of Warwick. * -Lead of SPAN Space Environment - Special interest Group, which spans across all working groups.

Professor Matthew Middleton

Professor of Astrophysics at University of Southampton * - Chair of the Space Science and Exploration Working Group.

Dr Nicholas Walton

Director of Research at the Institute of Astronomy at University of Cambridge. * - Chair of the Data and Analysis Working Group.

Dr Alessandra Marino

Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Studies at Open University and member of AstrobiologyOU. * - Deputy Lead of Space and Society Working Group.

Berend Winter

Thermal and Mechanical Engineering. Mullard Space Science Laboratory Department of Space and Climate Physics at University College London * - Deputy Lead of the Engineering and Technology Working Group.

Dr Hugh Mortimer

Research Scientist, RAL Space. * - Deputy, Earth Observation Working Group

Dr John Coxon

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow at Northumbria University. * - Deputy Lead of the Space Science and Exploration Working Group.

Latest News |

14 September 2026

SPAN Meetings 2026 – Q3

SPAN meetings offer key opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and hear updates on papers in development. Your input is welcome and vital to shaping this work.

New UK Space Strategy

We shared yesterday the news that the Government has published the new UK Space Strategy, alongside its Technical Delivery Annex. Ahead of publication, SPAN was invited to provide a response from our Co-Chairs, Professors Anna Hogg and Mark Sims. Their statement has been included in the Government's announcement:

SPAN Summer Engagements – 2026

Over the summer Anushka Sharma had the privilege of moderating discussions and speaking on panels across the UK space sector, from security and defence at Farnborough International Airshow, to running a session on SPAN at the National Astronomy Meeting in Birmingham, and most recently joining a panel on DWC Resilience forum hosted at Fieldfisher