Nelly Helen Neji Ebruka

I am currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant for a second year undergraduate course, i.e The Politics of Policy-Making. In this role, I deliver and facilitate weekly tutorials, support students in applying policy theories to real-world cases, and provide academic guidance on core readings and assessments. I encourage active participation through structured discussions and group tasks, and work closely with the course convenor and a fellow tutor to ensure a high-quality learning experience.

Supporting the coordination of seminars, conferences, and academic events (promotion and communications). Managing the centre's publicity and outreach (emails, flyers, website updates, social media, departmental circulation). Supporting centre communications and stakeholder engagement across departments and partner institutions. Providing administrative and operational support for the Centre’s programmes, website, and reporting.

As the host of "Space Dialogue with Nelly,"(SDSwN) a virtual series, I engage space experts in discussing critical issues in the African space industry. I also develop and disseminate high-quality promotional social media content aimed at Africa’s space ecosystem. Additionally, I represent Spacehubs Africa at key industry events to foster partnerships and collaborate with both internal team members and external service providers who support our initiatives. I report directly to the Managing Director in executing our projects.

I founded the LearnSpace Foundation in 2019 to promote space technology education and awareness in Nigeria, with a long-term vision of contributing to Africa’s growing space ecosystem through youth engagement, education, and public outreach. Some contributions include: • Supported and led coordination for the first Space Science and Astronomy Competition in Ikom Local Government Area,Cross River State, November 2024. • Organised and co-hosted the first national rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition in Africa, in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), March 2022. • Organised the Rise for SDG 4 Campaign, a space-themed reading competition for public secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria, March 2021. • Organised Inspire Nigeria: Space and the Future, a space education programme for high school students in Lagos, Nigeria, in collaboration with the One Child One Lens Initiative, October 2021. • Hosted the first virtual youth town hall on space in Nigeria, bringing together young people, educators, and space professionals to discuss access, careers, and national space ambitions, October 2020

As a student Ambassador, I represented the university at Higher Education fairs , interacting with prospective students and sharing information about the opportunities at St Mary's. I also featured in several video contents and actively participated in broader marketing initiatives to enhance the university's outreach efforts.

In this role, I contributed to a literature review on the Commonwealth from an international relations perspective. Responsibilities included gathering and analyzing relevant academic materials, synthesizing key findings, and drafting of the review.

At the DSA, I supported the legal team by contributing to the drafting of agreements on projects with partners and service providers, engaging in discussions where legal advice was required, and assisting with staff orientation on contractual responsibilities and employment terms. Overall, I contributed to legal and administrative work during my stay.