“Thank you for providing an inspirational, interactive learning experience that was out of this world!”
Student, Digital Astronomy Workshop, Astronomy School
About our Founder
After a first career in the creative industries, our Founder, Science Director and CEO, Melanie Davies, studied Geoscience and Physics at the Open University and went on to study Astronomy at the University of Sussex. She has worked for many years as a Space Science Communicator, many of those at the historic observatory at Herstmonceux.
Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival, September 2014 © Melanie Davies
In 2015, while studying part-time for a Masters Degree in Astronomy, Melanie followed her dream and set up Creative Space. Like the Universe, the company has grown from a seed of an idea into a big reality that continues to expand today.
Melanie was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2014 and has a boundless passion for all things space; her enthusiasm for the subject is palpable. With her background in art and design, she’s developed a trademark style, delivering her cosmic message through awesome graphics and truly creative techniques.
In 2022, Melanie took retirement and handed over the reigns to fellow member of the Royal Astronomical Society Zee Dinally FRAS, CEO of Immersive Experiences – The UK’s largest provider of award-winning planetariums.
We’re delighted to have received support from Zee and his amazing team to continue our work for many more years to come!
Creative Space Science CIC (Creative Space for short) was developed to communicate those sometimes difficult-to-explain concepts in the Universe… in a way we can all understand!
Whether it’s an informal talk without the astro-jargon, interactive workshop, or out-of-this-world virtual planetarium show, we deliver subject-specific or topical activities with knowledge and vigour. And with so much interest in the subject, we now run an Astronomy School, with evening and weekend courses for anyone interested in space – from complete newbies to enthusiastic observers.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we give back to the community by hosting free public engagement events and community projects within our wonderful seaside town of Hastings. These space-themed activities have included a pop-up space and discovery centre, a solar eclipse event, public observing nights, and special Moon events featuring real Moon rocks on loan from NASA.
From an embryonic start, Creative Space has evolved to become a go-to resource for all kinds of space education and fun. The Creative Space team now inspire thousands of children and grown-ups every year. Together, they continue to develop new projects and ideas for bringing space science to life.
We’d like to expand our portfolio of community projects and are always on the look-out for new collaborations with institutions and charities. We rely heavily on funding and would like to acknowledge the extremely generous grant-giving by Hastings Borough Council, Locate East Sussex, Hastings Round Table, The Magdalen & Lasher Charity, British Association of Planetaria and Foreshore Trust.
We would also like to say a huge thank you to the many STEM Ambassadors and members of local astronomical societies for their unstinting support as volunteers.
“There’s no such thing as boring science in my world. Space science adds colour and meaning to our existence, it encourages thought and investigation, paving the way for the inventions of the future.”
Melanie Davies, Founder and CEO, Creative Space Science CIC
