Published on 05 February 2018
6 February 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act, giving the vote to women over the age of 30. We caught up with Digital Forensics Investigator Charlotte Knill.
“I haven’t had to overcome any obstacles to achieve my ambitions. In fact, quite the opposite. People who I have met along the way have been very helpful, supportive and encouraging in what I wanted to do.
“Digital Forensics is quite a niche market within the field of computing careers in general and I have never felt that there have been any perceptions about women working in this particular field. But when I was at university, I didn’t know of any women the Digital Forensics industry who I could go to for advice.
“I think now is a good time for women working in the industry to become role models for the future generation of girls who want to take this unique career path.
“Whatever you want do, no matter what it is, just work hard and go for it.
“It didn’t bother me that there may be more men working in the industry than women. I think that sometimes the more that this is discussed the more off-putting it can actually be – and I prefer to be encouraging.
“If you want to do it then go for it, you’ll surprise yourself along the way.”
Charlotte Knill graduated BSc Computer Forensics in 2016, and now works as a Digital Forensics Investigator for Northumbria Police.