Exclusive: It is imperative humans expand their understanding of space, argues Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Life must exist beyond Earth, a leading space scientist says, adding it is yet another example of human pride to suppose otherwise.

The British space scientist Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who will be giving the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures this year, said that while science had made giant leaps in the understanding of space, including the sheer size of the universe, there was still much to learn – not least whether we are alone.

The Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution supported by CGI will be broadcast on the BBC and iPlayer in late December