New Space Workforce Xperience Webinar

Keynote Speaker Kirsten Banks (Astrophysist) 

Kirsten Banks is a proud Wiradjuri woman who is a rising star in the field of astrophysics and science communication.

After growing up in Ku-ring-gai country in Sydney, Kirsten completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018. She is currently pursuing a PhD in astrophysics at UNSW.

Kirsten is also a passionate science communicator and frequently engages with the public through social media and public speaking events.

She has appeared on numerous television programs and has been featured in various print and online publications.

She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in science and is actively involved in promoting science education and outreach to underrepresented communities.

Annie Handmer Bio

Annie is the Satellite Policy and Industry Engagement Manager at Optus Satellite and Space Systems. She is also an Honorary Affiliate at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Science, in the School of History and Philosophy of Science. She researches and writes about space policy, space law, and space debris. In addition, Annie is currently serving as the International Astronautical Federation’s International Programming Committee Co-Chair for the International Astronautical Congress 2024, Milan, and 2025, Sydney. Annie has experience working in finance, central government, and the private sector. Prior to Optus, her most recent roles were as a product manager with a startup which used satellites to do in-space imaging, and contracting to NSW Government doing futures and foresight analysis for how technology will impact society in the next decade.

Andrew Murphy Bio

Andrew Murphy is a keen Graduate and space nerd who started working with Optus in 2022. He has a dual bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and physics where he learnt about the foundations of space engineering that has led him to exercise his lifelong passion for space at Optus. Andrew has worked across several areas including Spacecraft Engineering, Systems Engineering, Marketing and Sales where he has gained an end-to-end understanding of satellite business. Andrew is extremely passionate about helping to build the space industry in Australia, and to teach younger generations about physics, maths, and space (his favourite subjects).

Shae Ingram Bio

Shae Ingram is a Graduate Spacecraft Engineer at Optus. She recently graduated from a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering, where she was heavily involved in student societies, including serving as Co-President of the Sydney Women in Aerospace Engineering society at the University of Sydney. Shae has been working full time with the Satellite and Space Systems team at Optus since the start of this year, where she currently works specifically in payload engineering, looking at how to send and receive signals to communicate with the Optus fleet of satellites. Shae is super passionate about advocating for women in engineering and promoting careers in STEM by sharing her experiences and creating visibility around what an engineer can look like. She also really enjoys educating young people about engineering, and how satellites are used to solve problems on Earth from Space.