Space is a source of knowledge about the origin of the universe and life on our planet. However, with earth observation satellites, it can also provide us with extraordinarily valuable information on phenomena exacerbated by human activity, such as climate change.
Sandra Benítez is astrophysicist, science communicator, and head of communications at the European Space Agency (ESA). She will unveil the latest developments in space exploration, introduce us to the ESA’s main areas of research, and explain how space can be used to monitor, prevent, and fight climate change.
Sandra Benítez holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the Max Planck Institute in Munich, and she currently works as a science communicator at the European Space Agency (ESA). Among her various projects, she coordinates the CESAR programme for science outreach to educational institutions and universities.
CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) is an educational programme developed by ESA, the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), and Systems Engineering for the Defense of Spain (ISDEFE). The program aims to provide European high school and university students with practical experience in astronomical research, especially in the fields of space sciences, radio astronomy, and optical astronomy.
Previously, she has worked as a science communicator at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, as well as at the Museum of Astronomy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has coordinated numerous science outreach projects in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including the mobile astronomy outreach project, Galileo Mobile.
She delivers lectures and talks to promote science in educational and professional settings and has contributed to the development of a wealth of educational and outreach materials.
Sergio Martín Herrera holds a degree in Audiovisual Communication (2001) from the University of Salamanca. Between 2016 and 2018, he acted as editor and host of Los Desayunos de TVE. He was assistant editor of TVE news, editor of Canal 24 horas, editor of the news website www.rtve.es and editor of TVE news’ social media team. He currently oversees Zoom Net, TVE’s technology and digital culture programme.
