Caroline Harper

Caroline joined the Space Agency at its creation in 2011, transferring into the new organisation from the Science & Technology Facilities Research Council. She became Head of the Agency's Space Science Programme in April 2020. This Programme provides support for the design, development and operation of innovative scientific instrument payloads and data processing capabilities for European Space Agency missions. Caroline's role includes working with the space R&D community in academia and industry to develop the sector through strong, focused participation in missions with ESA and with other national space agencies. She has also been responsible for the Agency's first national cubesat programme, launched successfully in July 2014, and for managing some of the Agency's International Partnership Programme (IPP) overseas development aid projects. She is the UK delegate on a number of international steering groups, including ESA's Science Programme Committee. Caroline is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and staff well-being champion, offering support and mentoring to colleagues as part of the Agency's staff well-being initiative.