About

Beth Probert (she/her) is a PhD researcher, award-winning software engineer, mentor, writer, speaker, and STEM Ambassador.

Beth’s academic background is in Astrophysics, having completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Bath in 2019. After graduating, she spent 5 years working as a software engineer specialising in mission critical systems, including the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation.

She is currently a PhD researcher in the Applied Space Technology Laboratory, based in the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Her research is investigating technologies to accelerate the transition of spacecraft into an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network to secure a sustainable space environment.

Her research envisions transforming space operations into a decentralised autonomous community controlled by its members through a distributed ledger. This will enable machine-to-machine tasking, enabling radically new services whilst ensuring a sustainable future for space exploration and utilisation.

Beth has presented at several conferences including the International Astronautical Congress and Farnborough International Airshow. Her enthusiasm and expertise has been recognised by a number of institutions. In 2020 she was a finalist in the IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards, recognising her as one of the UK’s top 6 women engineers. In 2021, she was awarded Computer Weekly’s Rising Star in Technology prize, and featured on their Longlist of Most Influential Women in Technology in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, she won the Everywoman in Technology Rising Star Award, and in 2024 she was featured in the New Scientist Magazine as a role model for women working in science and engineering.

She is also passionate about improving accessibility and diversity in science and engineering. Beth has founded Women’s Networks, served as the Vice Chair of the WISE Professionals’ Board from 2020 – 2023, and engaged in various outreach activities as a STEM Ambassador. She is also an active volunteer and contributor to the OpenFlexure project, where she uses her software engineering expertise to support the development of open source, 3D printed microscopes used in research and healthcare applications worldwide. Beth has also been a committee member of British Computing Society’s Special Interest Group in Software Testing since 2022.