Fight for justice: Lessons for tech at the Women and Diversity Festival

Former sub-postmistress Jo Hamilton will discuss ethics and transparency

Jo Hamilton, a key figure in the Post Office Horizon scandal, will share her story at the Women and Diversity in Tech Festival 2024.

The event, hosted by Computing and CRN, brings together diverse voices in the tech industry, encouraging open discussion on equality and inclusion. This year, the festival expands its focus to cover a broader range of diversity and representation.

Jo, a former sub-postmistress, was one of over 700 people wrongfully prosecuted due to errors in the Post Office’s Horizon computer system.

Between 2000 and 2014, many sub-postmasters were accused of crimes they did not commit. Hamilton’s conviction was overturned in 2021, but not before years of personal and professional damage.

At the Festival, Jo will discuss her experience of the faulty technology that led to false accusations, and the long battle for justice that followed. Her story has wide relevance for the tech industry, showing how flawed systems can have devastating impacts on individuals. It also highlights the importance of ethical responsibility in technology design and implementation.

The Women and Diversity in Tech Festival offers a platform for IT leaders to share their stories, sparking conversations on the need for diversity, ethics and transparency in technology.

As tech becomes more central to everyday life, there’s a growing need to ensure that systems work for everyone, regardless of background.

The Women and Diversity in Tech Festival is a space to explore these issues, bringing together voices from across the industry. With speakers like Jo Hamilton, Sophie Creese and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, the event offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for diversity in tech, while encouraging the next generation to take part in building a more inclusive future.

Click here to learn more about the Festival, and here to get your tickets.