Susan Charlesworth is a motivational speaker who brings the rare perspective of a psychologist, astronaut trainer, and leadership expert. With over fifteen years of experience at the European Space Agency, she has worked with astronauts, mission control, and Antarctic expedition teams, teaching them how to perform under extreme pressure. These are environments where communication failures or poor decisions can have serious consequences, and Susan translates those lessons into strategies leaders and organisations can apply on Earth. Her background in psychology and human factors makes her uniquely skilled at bridging technical expertise with human potential.
Susan’s career is marked by several high-profile achievements. She was awarded the Institute Lecture by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, co-authored the Handbook of Mental Performance: Lessons from High Performance Domains, and delivered a widely acclaimed talk at TEDx Brighton titled “Let’s Teach Our Children to Problem Solve Like Astronauts.” In addition, she created Launchpad, a leadership programme designed for technically brilliant professionals navigating the pressures of mid-career. Through this, she equips leaders to grow their influence, improve culture, and sustain wellbeing without sacrificing performance.
Her talks are dynamic, story-driven, and enriched by striking visuals from astronaut training and mission simulations. Susan’s ability to draw on her experience of training European and Chinese astronauts, as well as preparing Concordia crews for year-long isolation in Antarctica, gives her keynotes an authority and excitement that few others can match. Audiences walk away not just inspired but armed with practical tools to enhance communication, resilience, and creativity in their own teams. She has delivered talks and workshops across aerospace, engineering, infrastructure, and other industries, working with forward-thinking organisations determined to unlock the full potential of their people.
What sets Susan apart is her ability to make complex, high-stakes environments relevant to everyday business challenges. She shows leaders how to adapt to uncertainty, make better decisions under pressure, and create high-performing teams in fast-changing industries. With her background as Director of Charlesworth Human Performance Ltd, her role as Space Careers Lead at the UK Space Agency, and her contribution to Women in Aerospace Europe, Susan is a trusted authority in her field. By booking her as a motivational speaker, event organisers gain more than expertise; they gain an engaging, inspiring presence who connects human performance at the edge of space with success in the workplace.
