Book Tickets

Join us to hear from Niamh Shaw about the creation of her latest book 'Dream Big' from Mercier Press. What do you do with impossible dreams? When do you let them go? Niamh Shaw, scientist, engineer and performer, had always felt that something was missing in her life. Stepping away from a full-time academic career, she initially thought that it might be acting. But when in that career, she knew that she still hadn't found what she was looking for. While making her first theatre show, looking at her life choices and childhood ambitions, the realisation that she still wanted to fulfil her childhood dream to go to space, but had done nothing to achieve this goal, was painful and disappointing for her. Why had she given up on this dream? She realised that if she didn't pursue it, she would spend the rest of her life regretting that she had given up on herself. And so this 40-year-old woman from Ireland began an art and science journey she is determined to finish.

Niamh Shaw is a communicator, writer and explorer of space activities and her work focuses on sharing the 'bigger perspective' of space to envisage a healthier, fairer and more equal, sustainable planet. Based at International Space University in Strasbourg Niamh wants to use the perspective of space to consider smarter and more sustainable alternatives for all Earth citizens. A polymath with 2 degrees in engineering, a PhD in science and almost 20 years of performance & writing experience, and recently launched a new podcast series 'Humans of Space' and an online family video series 'Galaxy Squad'. She has spoken at prominent events including WIRED Live UK, NASA Johnson Space Centre (USA), TEDxUCD and New Scientist (UK). Her first book 'Dream Big- an Irishwoman's Space Odyssey' from Mercier Press was published in March 2020 and launched virtually during Space week after a 6-month delay due to the pandemic. She writes regularly for BBC’s Sky at Night magazine. Niamh continues to work on her project 'Walking Slowly to Space', a global walking project to meet & chat with diverse communities, & share & exchange ideas about science, space and the wider message of a safer, healthier & fairer planet for all.

Find Niamh's book Dream Big here.

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