Laura Knight: shortlisted in the TechWomen100 Awards.

Berkhamsted School would like to congratulate our Director of Digital Learning, Laura Knight, for being shortlisted in the TechWomen100 Awards 2023.  

The TechWomen100 Awards were established to celebrate the successes of women who have made indelible marks in the tech industry. From PwC to BT, Laura joins a list of finalists who work for some of the biggest companies in the tech world.  

Having enhanced Berkhamsted’s use of technology to elevate pupil’s learning, as well as providing digital wellbeing guidance for schools across the country, it is unsurprising that Laura joins these women on the shortlist.  

While Laura began her journey at Berkhamsted as a Head of Modern Language, her passion for the tech world has always played a large part in her life both inside and outside of our school.   

“I have had an interest in technology from being a teenager, I was even involved in the first deployment of iPads at Berkhamsted- which was a big deal back in the early 2010s” Laura says.

While technology may have transformed plenty in recent years, Laura’s passion for ensuring that technology is used in a safe and beneficial way within Berkhamsted, and other schools, has remained equally fervent throughout her career.  

Since joining Berkhamsted in 2010, Laura has led the development of technology-enhanced learning in the curriculum. Laura played a key role in Berkhamsted’s 1:1 Microsoft device roll-out, one of the most highly regarded 1:1 device programmes in UK education. This programme-which provides each pupil from Year 5 to Year 13 with their own digital device- encourages personalised learning experiences for every pupil in our schools.  

“For me, it’s about more than just the device, it’s holistic. I have to consider how to effectively train staff and parents to ensure pupils can take ownership of their learning” Laura said of the programme.

But being shortlisted is not just the result of Laura’s work within our school. Laura advises UK education policy, leads conferences with schools nationally, and even has even reviewed Government policy at an international level. Laura is a key member of the ISC Digital Advisory Group, and chaired the group between 2021-22. In the coming weeks, Laura will lead upcoming conferences with Keynote Conferences, Graydin, and Rugby School to explore how schools across the country can harness artificial intelligence in innovative and effective ways. Laura is also giving a keynote at EDUtech Europe in Amsterdam, and leading workshops for the Independent School Bursars’ Association, iSAMS, and the Independent Schools Association. 

As an A.I. thought leader, Laura is currently interested in the pressing issue of the use of A.I. in education, her most recent research paper explored how, when the use of A.I. is carefully governed by educators, A.I. could become an empowering extension of pupil’s learning. Laura is also a member of the Bourne-Epsom Protocol; the national cross-sector group created by Sir Antony Seldon, seeking to develop the use of AI in education. Laura is leading a workstream on future skills and is looking forward to gathering best practice in this innovative and exciting space. 

While women make up a minor 26% of the UK tech sector, Laura serves as a role model for all girls interested in the highly male dominated STEM sector. We would like to thank Laura for demonstrating to all young women what can be achieved as a woman in an industry from which their gender is too often excluded.   

Congratulations Laura!