Dorset’s place in Tomorrow’s Tech celebrated at re:connect 2024
re:connect 2024 brought together the tech community in Dorset at Bournemouth and Poole College to shine a spotlight on the breadth and diversity of tech and tech enabled businesses in Dorset. With the ambition of bringing together a thriving community of modern, innovative and ambitious talent, the intimate conference enabled attendees to learn from each other and industry experts.
Organisers Seemin Suleri and Sharon Jones first met through Digital Dorset’s Dorset Coding Day initiative. Seemin said: “re:connect is not just a conference, it is a movement to set an example of how to bring together tech communities. It is diverse by nature, attracting a varied set of ages, ethnicities and genders.
"We welcome and celebrate the individual contributions from everyone. It shows us, that even with limited resources, what is possible when you set your mind to it.”
The day was a mixed programme of keynote speakers, panel discussion, networking and hands on workshops. Supported by Equal IT and Head Channel, there were also stands and input from the College, Dorset LEP, STEM Returners and Dorset Council, demonstrating the focus of local support to upskill and enhance opportunities in the area.
Highlights in the day included Sally Goble’s humorous account of Managing through Large Scale Organisational Change, where her anecdotes of start-up life were relatable and her advice practical and supportive. Andy Stanford Clark outlined the groundbreaking Mayflower (400) Autonomous Ship and how degree 4 autonomy has been achieved and the rapid and relentless pace of advances in technology and innovation were highlighted by Ana Avaliani, Director of Enterprise at the Royal Academy of Engineering in closing the conference.
The workshop and panel sessions featured Dorset based organisations and innovation, from spatial computing and extended reality, through intelligent traffic systems and cybersecurity.
We embrace the opportunity and responsibility to challenge the status quo, and to ensure that the tech community is both inclusive and diverse so that all of humanity is able to benefit from these advances.
Sai Kamisetti provided the data to challenge gender inequality in tech, and empowered participants to stand their ground, and continue the mission to make STEM fields more welcoming and inclusive for women and minorities.
Senior Software developer Mark Oliver, who joined this session, said: “It will take everyone to improve the gender gap in IT, as currently it is estimated it will be 169 YEARS before the gap is gone. The more diverse your team is the more productive and effective they are.
"The data to back that up was staggering, and is a problem at all ages of a persons life.”
Sharon and Seemin believe Dorset is leading the way in building an inclusive tech community. They are actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to build on this first intimate conference and deliver more in 2025.
