Build your confidence in networking with Space4Climate

This article is based on a presentation by Space4Climate Communications & Engagement Manager, Sally Stevens, given at the 2026 UK Earth Observation Conference.

After a career in media, Sally moved into climate science communication,  putting cutting-edge research and satellite Earth Observation into the hands of non-specialists in policy and industry to promote climate action and adaptation, in the UK and Europe.

By Sally Stevens

Satellite Earth Observation is being embraced by a wider audience than ever before as the world looks for cutting-edge information and solutions to improve resilience to the devastating impacts of climate change.

Academics and professionals with expertise in this critical area are increasingly called on to communicate to new, non-specialist connections and funders and this not only brings challenges but also opportunities to advance your profile, your career and even your funding.

Space4Climate is the not for profit membership organisation for the UK satellite Earth Observation community and bridges the worlds of academia, policy and industry, so we are uniquely placed to help young professionals to build new connections – take advantage of what we can offer.

If you are at a UK university, research institution, funding body or Government department, you are automatically eligible for membership of Space4Climate, as UK Space Agency, NCEO and Defra cover these fees.

So what can we do to help boost your career and help you to fulfil your ambitions?

Space4Climate is a ready-made community of influential people in policy, industry and research who are interested in what you do.

We are:

• • A safe place to grow your confidence in communicating your work.
  • A showcasing platform through our portfolio of S4C case studies, the Space4Climate website, our Group Meetings for our 106+ membership organisations and our LinkedIn audience of 5,800+.
  • We produce briefings and backgrounders.
  • We give presentations and have stands at trade and industry exhibitions and conferences – you can join us at these.
  • We seek out and are invited to fill speaking opportunities in front of influential audiences nationally and internationally such as COPs.
  • We host and attend networking events and make can direct introductions connecting you with stakeholders and end users.

Here are two things that I focused on in the short talk I gave at the UK EO Conference at Warwick University.

Networking to reach new audiences

The first is networking.

You probably do this as part of your everyday role but let’s think about ways to build your confidence and make more targeted connections among new audiences.

Preparation will make you feel more confident:

• • Pick out in advance maybe three or four people or organisations that you really want to meet
  • Think about why they should want to meet you, so what you can say in a very short space of time to engage with them?
  • How can you leave some information with them to read or refer to later?

Regional Space Clusters are a friendly place to start, you can speak to the networking event host in advance, and they will probably be able to introduce you to one or two or your ‘want to meets’.

If you are new to networking, or new to a group, you could go to the first session as a pair.

Be approachable and memorable. I sometimes wear a big space-related brooch, a bright shirt, or carry a relevant tote bag or brochure – or a branded shirt!

I have a digital business card that I edit for each event or print out an A4 flier or carry, one of our Satellite Mission Explainers, depending on the group and have it ready on my mobile so people can either photograph it or follow the QR link to the S4C website or LinkedIn page.

Use open body language, wear a comfortable smile and look out for others who are on their own and introduce yourself and aim to bring people in to your conversations.

Elevate your Elevator Pitch

The second focus is Elevator Pitches – your opportunity to capture the attention of an potential connection or valuable influential figure in just a few seconds.

Again, prepare in advance and, as always, start with your audience:

What do you have that will be useful to them …  how can you meet the challenge they are facing?

• Be concise: Tailor your message, talk their language – what are the current buzz phrases in their world? No jargon from your world!
• Be relevant: Why should they care? What’s the ‘So what?’ from their point of view (not yours)?  Get to the impact quickly. What difference will your research / product /connection make – what makes you / this unique?
• Be ready: Think in advance about what questions people in this group might have and be ready with interesting answers. Practice your Elevator Pitch in advance – out loud, to people.
• Be nice! Use open body language, make eye contact and smile comfortably. To a non-technical person, don’t talk down – try to gauge where their level of technical knowledge is and be ready to meet it. Be interested in them, too, ask them open questions.

If you want to practice some of these technics, come along to a Space4Climate event, get in touch with me in advance and I can help you with some background on the occasion, the topics and the people involved.

The best way to find out about our events? Sign up to the Space4Climate newsletter, just email me, Sally, at s.stevens@reading.ac.uk referencing this blog and your member organisation.