2025 ELE Symposium Keynote

The keynote address for ELE 2025 is sponsored by the Feigenbaum Forum. We are thrilled to announce that the keynote will be delivered by Dr. Sian Leo Proctor whose pioneering work bridges the worlds of science, space exploration, humanity, and creative expression. Her talk at ELE 2025 will explore living and thriving at the intersection of art, science, and engineering.

Dr. Sian Proctor is a Visionary Artist, Futurist, and Explorer whose work bridges the worlds of science, space exploration, humanity, and creative expression. Born on Guam to a father who worked at NASA's tracking station during the Apollo missions, Proctor's artistic vision has been shaped by a lifelong connection to space and Earth sciences.

With advanced degrees in Environmental Science, Geology, and Science Education, Proctor's art is deeply informed by her scientific background. As a geoscience professor at Maricopa Community College, she honed her ability to communicate complex ideas through creative expression, laying the groundwork for her unique artistic style.

Proctor's journey as a space artist gained momentum through her experiences as an analog astronaut, participating in multiple simulated space missions, including a NASA-funded four-month Mars simulation. These experiences profoundly influenced her artistic themes, exploring human adaptation, isolation, and discovery.

In 2021, Proctor made history as the mission pilot for SpaceX Inspiration4, becoming the first African-American woman to pilot a spacecraft and the first Black commercial astronaut. More significantly for her art, this mission allowed Proctor to experience the Overview Effect firsthand, transforming her perspective and artistic vision.

As the first African-American to paint in space, Proctor's post-Inspiration4 work offers a rare blend of scientific accuracy and cosmic inspiration. Her art captures the fragility and interconnectedness of Earth as seen from orbit, inviting viewers to experience our planet from this unique vantage point.

Dr. Sian Proctor's journey from a child of the Space Age to a pioneering space artist and astronaut embodies the intersection of science, exploration, and creativity. Her work continues to push boundaries, offering a visionary artistic lens through which to view our planet and humanity's relationship with the cosmos.

Text and Image Credits: Both the text of the biography above and the photos of Dr. Proctor used in this website were provided by the agency representing Dr. Proctor for speaking arrangements.