Celebrating women in tech at Spring Forward festival

A Brighton-based festival celebrating women's achievements in the digital sector returns for its third year on International Women's Day (March 8).
Rifa Thorpe-Tracey (Photograph: Julia Claxton) gLadV61vFQRTWYsn_3MQRifa Thorpe-Tracey (Photograph: Julia Claxton) gLadV61vFQRTWYsn_3MQ
Rifa Thorpe-Tracey (Photograph: Julia Claxton) gLadV61vFQRTWYsn_3MQ

The month-long celebration also coincides with Women’s History Month, and aims to empower and encourage more women into the digital industry.

Events include workshops, discussions and lectures run by women.

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Rifa Thorpe-Tracey, new festival director, said: “The recent global Women’s March has had a profound impact worldwide and we are realising that it’s more important than ever for us to come together to highlight women’s achievements, to learn new skills and to continue to inspire each other.”

The largest event of the 2017 Spring Forward programme is SheSays Brighton - a women’s networking group run by Rifa - with more than 250 people expected at Sallis Benney Theatre on March 9.

Five speakers will present on the theme of ‘The Future Female’, including award-winning virtual reality expert Samantha Kingston. Also speaking is podcast entrepreneur Imriel Morgan of Shout Out Network, founder of creative tech network WiTCiH Bishi, futurologist Natalie Kane and head of design at Good Lab, Lauren Currie.

CodeBar, which runs free weekly workshops for women, LGBT and people who are underrepresented in the tech industry, will hold a free programming session on March 21 from 6.30pm at 68 Middle Street.

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Jo Summers will play a key role organising Spring Forward this year, and is also hosting her regular Pixels and Prosecco event on March 24 from 6.30pm at 68 Middle Street.

It is an evening featuring five women in the games industry who will share their experience in developing games and surviving in a largely male-dominated sector.

For a full list of Spring Forward events, visit: wespringforward.com