Three days of tech in the heart ❤️ of Norwich

The Schedule

1. Day #1: Thursday, 27th Feb

2. 11:00

3. Registration

   Registration

   X

   In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 11:00am

4. 11:45

5. Welcome and Introductions

   Welcome and Introductions

   X

   In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 11:45am

6. 12:00

7. Thursday Opening Keynote

   Thursday Opening Keynote

   X

   In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 12:00pm

   

   Matt Pocock Developer Advocate at Vercel

   Matt Pocock

8. 13:00

9. Lunch

   Lunch

   X

   In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 1:00pm

10. 13:45

11. Mob, Pair, or Fly Solo?

    Mob, Pair, or Fly Solo?

    X

    Collaboration lies at the heart of sustainable software delivery. With pair and ensemble programming becoming ever more established practices you might wonder if they're for you (or your team), or maybe you're just curious about how multiple people working on the same problem can be as, or more effective than working individually. This session looks at the benefits of ensemble programming but also when it might be more appropriate to tackle problems in smaller groups, or even individually. On the face of it pair and ensemble programming appears to an inefficient way to deliver software, but that's because it's often perceived like a production line where each item is independent of any others. However, software delivery is a creative process where our choices today have a material impact on our ability to effectively deliver further change tomorrow and in the distant future. By understanding the forces that eventually limit our ability to make changes efficiently we can try to slow the rate of entropy. Programming in groups increases the rate of communication and consequently leads to a better understanding of the codebase and its evolution which in turn helps minimise problems like Technical Debt because they are tackled at source. That said, there is still room for individualism in a team as one size never fits all.

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 1:45pm

    

    Chris Oldwood Dev

    Chris Oldwood

12. A11y beyond the theory: Integrating accessibility testing into your workflow

    A11y beyond the theory: Integrating accessibility testing into your workflow

    X

    Ensuring that we build accessible solutions is about more than the moral obligation of removing accessibility barriers for all. It has significant financial and commercial implications too. With more than 30% of the population living with some form of impairment, the industry is finally coming to terms with the importance of accessibility. However, while the theory appears to be understood, accessibility considerations in software solutions are still treated as a nice-to-have and an afterthought. One of the big reasons for this is that testing for accessibility requires extra work. In this hands-on talk, we'll go through a brief outline of what A11y is and its importance. We'll then dive into key practical tools that can be used by everyone in the software development lifecycle to ensure that the solutions we produce are as accessible as possible. If you're interested in making sure you provide accessible software solutions for everyone, then this talk is for you.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Thu, 27th Feb 1:45pm

    

    Nhlanhla Lucky Nkosi Executive | Software Engineer, BBD

    Nhlanhla Lucky Nkosi

13. Defy Architectural Uncertainty by Building Schrödinger's App

    Defy Architectural Uncertainty by Building Schrödinger's App

    X

    Can an application be a monolith and microservices at the same time? Spoiler alert: yes! In this session, we will explore a TypeScript codebase that defies the traditional boundaries. Much like Schrödinger's famous thought experiment, the application exists in multiple states simultaneously during development, but it's true form is only revealed at the moment of deployment. We'll uncover tools that empower developers to dance between monoliths and microservices, embracing the fluidity of development. Whether you're a seasoned developer, a curious architect, or simply excited about the future of software, this session is for you. So, buckle up as we dive into the unknown, question the status quo, and redefine the boundaries of what's possible in modern application development.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Thu, 27th Feb 1:45pm

    

    John Meeuwissen Fullstack Developer and Integration Specialist @ Masking Technology

    John Meeuwissen

14. 14:30

15. Turning Production Incidents into Systemic Wins

    Turning Production Incidents into Systemic Wins

    X

    It took less than a month of being a professional software engineer before I caused my first production issue, and since then, I’ve continued breaking things in increasingly convoluted and surprising ways. Through a light-hearted exploration of the memorable mishaps and recovery stories I’ve encountered from my experience doing Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) and incident response, I'll highlight how incident response practices in cloud and platform engineering contribute to building resilient systems. Along the way, I'll share insights into patterns and strategies that not only help prevent incidents but also create a culture where failures transform into learning opportunities, fostering growth and improving the reliability of the systems we rely on.

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 2:30pm

    

    Julian Wreford Gearset, Software Engineer doing Operational Ownership

    Julian Wreford

16. Rustification of Python

    Rustification of Python

    X

    A tour of all the ways the Python ecosystem is being improved by tooling and libraries written in Rust.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Thu, 27th Feb 2:30pm

    

    Ben Askew-Gale Python Software Developer at NatWest

    Ben Askew-Gale

17. Migrating from a monolith to a new service

    Migrating from a monolith to a new service

    X

    This is a story about how our team at Stack Overflow split out a small feature from a monolithic application into its own microservice. We moved the data to a new database, rebuilt the UI as a microfrontend using a new framework, and managed to deploy it without any downtime. In this talk, we’ll dive into the challenges with Eventual Consistency, multi-tenancy, cross-origin resource sharing (CORS), and many more. You'll hear the choices we made, along with other options we considered, and what we learned from this experiment.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Thu, 27th Feb 2:30pm

    

    Connell Sharp Senior Software Engineer at Stack Overflow

    Connell Sharp

18. 15:15

19. How I accidentally built a decentralised social network

    How I accidentally built a decentralised social network

    X

    Our journey so far of building Frontpage, a decentralised link aggregator. How the tech works, what the product vision is, and things we learned along the way. A tour of the architecture, design, and implementation of building and scaling a social network with Vercel, Fly.io, Rust, and Next.js

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 3:15pm

    

    Tom Sherman Software Engineer

    Tom Sherman

20. React and the Art of Gamification

    React and the Art of Gamification

    X

    Unlock the power of gamification in your React applications to enhance user engagement and enjoyment. Dive into React's versatile architecture and component-based approach, ideal for seamlessly integrating game mechanics like scoring, achievements, and interactive challenges. Drawing on principles from educational settings, discover the psychology behind gamification and learn how to apply these concepts in React to create compelling user experiences that keep users coming back.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Thu, 27th Feb 3:15pm

    

    Courtney Yatteau Developer Advocate at Esri

    Courtney Yatteau

21. Maximizing Scalability with Go and Redis: A Telemetry Processing Journey

    Maximizing Scalability with Go and Redis: A Telemetry Processing Journey

    X

    At Delivery Hero, we process a staggering 10,000 requests per second globally, particularly in our critical TIER1 flow, where we handle telemetry data primarily from riders' phones. In this session, we'll delve into how we harnessed the power of Go and Redis to handle this high-load, mission-critical system at an incredibly low cost. Key Points: Go and Redis as the Perfect Pair: Discover how Go and Redis form the backbone of our telemetry processing infrastructure. Go's concurrency model and performance complement Redis's high availability and resilience, enabling seamless handling of our demanding operations. Efficient Data Management with Redis: Explore how Redis's versatile features, including sorted lists and key expiration (TTL), enable efficient telemetry data storage, event queue management, and fraud prevention. Learn how Go's native support for Redis interactions streamlines integration and enhances overall system performance. Scalability Made Simple: Dive into how Go and Redis effortlessly scale to handle our high-volume telemetry flow. With Go's lightweight footprint and Redis's scalability features, such as automatic sharding and replication, we ensure our system remains responsive and reliable, even under peak loads. Cost-Effectiveness and Resource Optimization: Learn how we achieved cost-effectiveness by leveraging the smallest Redis instances available, strategically deployed across multiple regions. Explore how Go's efficient resource utilization and Redis's pay-as-you-go pricing model contribute to significant cost savings without compromising performance. Customized Data Flows and Experimentation: Our implementation with Redis has opened doors for various experiments, including different location frequency updates, giving us the flexibility to optimise and innovate based on unique service needs.testing different telemetry processing strategies, empowering continuous optimization and innovation.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Thu, 27th Feb 3:15pm

    

    Andrii Raikov Principal Software Engineer at Delivery Hero SE

    Andrii Raikov

22. 16:00

23. Break

    Break

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 4:00pm

24. 16:30

25. Sponsor Session

    Sponsor Session

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 4:30pm

26. 17:00

27. The Past, Present and Future of Software Architecture

    The Past, Present and Future of Software Architecture

    X

    Take a journey through the evolution of software architecture, from its beginnings in the 1960s to its role in today’s systems. This keynote explores its evolving definition, the challenges of mastering this intricate discipline, and practical insights to help you begin your journey as an architect. As we wrap up, we’ll explore how AI is transforming the field, offering a vision of the opportunities and innovations shaping the future of software architecture.

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 5:00pm

    

    Codie Newark Full Stack Engineer at Artlist, Hobbyist Hacker

    Codie Newark

28. 18:00

29. Conference Social

    Conference Social

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Thu, 27th Feb 6:00pm

30. Day #2: Friday, 28th Feb

31. 08:30

32. Registration

    Registration

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 8:30am

33. 09:15

34. Welcome and Introductions

    Welcome and Introductions

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 9:15am

35. 09:30

36. 2025 The Year of Strategic Distinction, What's Your Tech Leadership Distinction

    2025 The Year of Strategic Distinction, What's Your Tech Leadership Distinction

    X

    In Onyi's keynote, he will share the importance of tech leaders standing out in an ever disruptive and fast-paced technology-driven world. Onyi's delivery will shape your understanding on topics such as; the essence of cutting edge leadership, the 3 levels of sight every tech leader needs, how to create a brand of distinction and much more.

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 9:30am

    

    Onyi Anyado Global Leadership Speaker, Futurist and Corporate Trainer.

    Onyi Anyado

37. 10:30

38. Break

    Break

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 10:30am

39. 10:45

40. Beyond Containers: The Future of Cloud-Native Development with Server-Side WebAssembly

    Beyond Containers: The Future of Cloud-Native Development with Server-Side WebAssembly

    X

    As we look to 2025, WebAssembly is poised to become a central pillar in cloud-native computing, offering unparalleled flexibility and performance. We'll explore the next frontier for WebAssembly components in server-side applications and multi-cloud environments, and how WebAssembly could transform software engineering with faster, more secure, and composable architectures.

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 10:45am

    

    Dave Rant Engineering Lead

    Dave Rant

41. Making **it Happen

    Making **it Happen

    X

    A talk about how it's never too late, or too soon, you're never too old, or too young, to make what you want to happen, happen. Or to at least have a go. Send that email, make that phone call, apply for that job. It would (hopefully) be empowering, motivational, and encourage people to make and take opportunities. Shared through the lens of being 36 and finally becoming a web developer, having learnt HTML at 7 and built my first website at 11. About the fact that your path will change and getting where you want to be isn't a straight route and that's OK.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 10:45am

    

    Kate Howlett Junior Web Developer - Finally

    Kate Howlett

42. Product: Uncovering the Jobs To Be Done

    Product: Uncovering the Jobs To Be Done

    X

    How do Product Managers know what we should be working on? What will add value? What do users want? An intro on using the JTBD framework alongside prioritisation tools to focus on building the right product.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 10:45am

    

    Iz Wright Product Manager at Gearset

    Iz Wright

43. 11:30

44. Docker is a gateway drug - Just say YES to containerisation

    Docker is a gateway drug - Just say YES to containerisation

    X

    As an 20 year veteran .NET developer, who had spent a lot of time building web applications hosted on virtual machines running IIS - first using WebForms and then MVC, and when Docker first came along, although I though it was cool, I largely ignored it for many years. Until one day I didn't .... In this talk I will take the audience through a journey of discovery - learning about docker and containerisation, about micro-service architecture (the good and the bad), about how it can help the local development process, how it helps teams, and some of the really cool things it can do. In 10 tips and tricks, I'll go through some of the things I've learned, that have helped me, and that I think are just plain cool. Without giving away too many spoilers it will involve linux, raspberry Pis, and and a certain mid 90s first person shooter, although not all at the same time.

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 11:30am

    

    Carl Sargunar .NET developer and fan of learning new things, then sharing that knowledge

    Carl Sargunar

45. Ctrl+Alt+Shift: Taking Your Career from Developer to DevOps Engineer

    Ctrl+Alt+Shift: Taking Your Career from Developer to DevOps Engineer

    X

    In this talk, we'll start by exploring the question, 'What is DevOps?' and dive into the essentials for software developers transitioning into the DevOps world. Drawing from my own experience, I'll share practical insights and lessons learned during my journey from Senior Software Developer to Lead DevOps Engineer. We’ll cover key tools and best practices, with a focus on Azure. Whether you're a developer considering a move to DevOps or simply curious to learn more, this talk will offer valuable takeaways for anyone looking to embrace the DevOps mindset.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 11:30am

    

    Luke Kittridge Luke - Lead DevOps Engineer - NIQ Brandbank

    Luke Kittridge

46. Visual Communication

    Visual Communication

    X

    Objective The objective of the session is to convince the audience that visualisation in it’s many guises can be a tool that is used to help during every stage of product/feature lifecycle Background The techniques discussed are all derived from real life experience, more heavily realised and utilised over the last 8yrs, but some aspects have been used prior to that. The talk includes a combination of established drawing techniques (such as sequence diagrams)
 Structure The talk begins with an introduction as to why we are talking about visualisation. taking us from times when there was very little definition in terms of use case, feature, and design, quite often there was nothing documented and no discussions. through to the realisation that we’re doing things wrong and the decision to use ACs (of varying quality) etc, which is where a lot of folks are now. We then walk through a scenario using traffic lights as our design goal. the traffic light concept is understood by many, so it’s easy to understand. There’s a comparison of ACs (not in detail) and the visual approach to demonstrate the effectiveness of representing the behaviour visually vs doing so purely via ACs * key point - visually representing a problem gives more understanding to more folks quicker. We then take a step back and look at the problem we are attempting to solve with these traffic lights, this is the business problem. we take a written scenario and suggest a few solutions, and then we draw out the problem. This promotes discussion, the participants can see that working through the problem visually helps to eliminate assumptions. * key point - diagramming isn’t only for the engineering teams, and the lack of understanding of the real business problem can lead to the implementation or a solution that doesn’t match the problem
 Having explored the business problem, we then revisit our traffic light ACs, diagram and see what was really required and adjust as necessary, again with comparisons of the 2 approaches. This may sound a little out of order, but teams frequently focus on the design of a solution a not enough time discussing and understanding the problem. this revisit hopes to highlight that omission. we then take a quick segway to look at other industries using visualisation, the purpose here is to reinforce that visualisation is beneficial and used outside of IT to great effect We then delve into the engineering side of the feature and talk through design, sequence diagrams, etc, we pick a scenario and talk about the benefits of using this, and how the visual design is easier to follow, and of benefit to more people than just those writing the code. We see how easy it is to identify edge cases via the visual representation * key point - visualisation enforces best practice for design Taking the design, we then move into tasking. This is a technique that we created a number of years ago, which results in an approach to tasking that is superior to the traditional methods of just adding the tickets to jira. This approach highlights benefits such as: 
simpler prioritisation calls opportunities for resource parallelism
identification of real mvp for a feature
more accurate tasking * key point - more accurate, and informative approach to tasking We then extend this tasking technique and show haw it can be used to quickly demonstrate progress. This is something we use in our projects and we use the diagrams to guide the standups and other ceremonies a client may request. * key point - team communication. everyone can quickly tell where there project is at Finish off with a reference to a free version of a tool we’ve put together to automate this process

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 11:30am

    

    Dan Edwards Director of Engineering at Lydtech Consulting

    Dan Edwards

47. 12:15

48. Lunch

    Lunch

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 12:15pm

49. 13:15

50. The Microservices Problem No One Warned Us About (And How You Can Avoid It)

    The Microservices Problem No One Warned Us About (And How You Can Avoid It)

    X

    Tired of firefighting when a downstream service throws a curveball? We were too, so we figured out a way to build microservices that expect the unexpected. In this talk, I'll share our journey from fragile systems to an architecture where resilience is the norm, not the exception. Get an honest glimpse into our early microservices struggles – how our initial approaches led to chaos, and the breakthrough architectural pattern that changed everything. This talk isn’t just a war story; it’s a blueprint for resilience. You'll walk away with a crucial pattern that you can immediately apply to your systems, turning potential disasters into manageable events, and achieve a 99.999% uptime.

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 1:15pm

    

    Ivett Ördög Engineering culture advocate, public speaker, creator of a gamified devops training tool "Lean Poker"

    Ivett Ördög

51. Resilience in Tech (and every other industry probably)

    Resilience in Tech (and every other industry probably)

    X

    "If you become drained, bitter, brittle and reactive, you won't be effective." A deep dive into how we can manage ourselves, so that we're nicer to work with, more productive and just generally a well rounded human. We'll cover a whole range of topics, including work/life balance, giving/taking feedback, managing expectations, avoiding exhaustion, escapes. Also.. how to deal with folks who are drained, bitter, brittle and reactive!

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 1:15pm

    

    Emily Delva Project Manager and Permanently Exhausted Pigeon

    Emily Delva

52. Bridging the Gap – How Developer-Designer Collaboration Lowers Barriers to Tech Adoption

    Bridging the Gap – How Developer-Designer Collaboration Lowers Barriers to Tech Adoption

    X

    In this talk, I’ll share the story of my journey as a designer, from my university days and early career at a machine-learning startup to my current role at Gearset, a DevOps scale-up. Along the way, I’ve learned how essential the collaboration between developers and designers is in creating user-friendly software that lowers the barrier to entry for new technologies. Through real-world examples and lessons learned, I’ll explore: The importance of collaboration: Why developers and designers must work together to create truly impactful solutions. Lowering barriers with design: How intuitive, user-centred design makes technology more accessible and widely adopted. Overcoming challenges: The common pitfalls we face—such as siloed workflows and late-stage feasibility concerns—and how to navigate them effectively. Each story highlights the power of collaboration: My first experience working with developers and the lessons it taught me about effective teamwork. Inspirational moments from partnerships with developers that transformed projects. How we’re designing at Gearset to make technology approachable for users, with practical examples of our process. This talk aims to inspire, showing how meaningful our work is in shaping accessible, user-friendly technologies. Whether you’re a designer or a developer, you’ll leave with insights on how to collaborate better and practical tips for bridging the gap to bring innovative solutions to life.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 1:15pm

    

    Ella Bektas Gearset - UX Designer

    Ella Bektas

53. 14:00

54. Throw exceptions... out of your codebase

    Throw exceptions... out of your codebase

    X

    Throwing exceptions is often used to handle errors, validations, and other specific use cases. It is considered by many to be the standard way of indicating a failure and providing feedback to the caller. However, this approach can cause significant issues like being hard to detect, obfuscating the flow or leaving the system invalid. In this talk, I want to show you a faster alternative that offers more transparency and predictability. We will see how to integrate ideas from the Functional paradigm, such as "Monads", into an Object-Oriented codebase using a real-life project: Vonage's open-source .NET SDK. This talk will be the perfect opportunity to show you what they are and how easy they are to use.

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 2:00pm

    

    Guillaume Faas Senior .Net Developer Advocate chez Vonage

    Guillaume Faas

55. Authentic Leadership: Transformation and Empowerment of Technical Teams

    Authentic Leadership: Transformation and Empowerment of Technical Teams

    X

    In this engaging and insightful talk, we will explore the concept of authentic leadership and its transformative impact on technical teams. The session will delve into how technical leads and engineering managers can empower their teams by fostering a culture of trust and effective delegation. By embracing authentic leadership principles, leaders can cultivate self-organising and autonomous teams that not only thrive but also provide ample opportunities for career progression for every team member. Attendees will learn practical strategies to build a supportive environment where team members feel valued, motivated, and capable of driving innovation and success. In this talk we will discover how authentic leadership can be the catalyst for creating high-performing, resilient teams that excel in today's dynamic tech landscape.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 2:00pm

    

    Kire Simonovski Technical Lead

    Kire Simonovski

56. Code Reviews - How to be a d*ck (and how to not be!)

    Code Reviews - How to be a d*ck (and how to not be!)

    X

    Code reviews are an essential part of the software development process, allowing teams to ensure code quality, share knowledge, and catch potential bugs or issues before they make their way into production. However, the way code reviews are conducted can greatly impact team dynamics, productivity, and individual morale. In this thought-provoking and engaging talk, we'll delve into the art of conducting effective code reviews with empathy and professionalism. While the provocative title may catch your attention, the true focus of this talk is to explore the importance of fostering a positive code review culture within development teams. Drawing upon real-life experiences and industry practices/opinions, we will navigate the delicate balance between offering valuable feedback and avoiding behaviours that can harm collaboration and team spirit. Participants will gain insights into the following key areas: 1. The purpose and benefits of code reviews: Understand why code reviews are vital for team collaboration, knowledge sharing, and code quality improvement. 2. Effective communication techniques: Learn how to provide feedback in a way that is clear, respectful, and constructive. Discover strategies for balancing praise and criticism to motivate and inspire team members. 3. Embracing empathy and understanding: Explore the importance of empathy in code reviews, considering the efforts, perspectives, and challenges faced by fellow developers. Discover methods to communicate feedback without belittling or demotivating others. 4. Navigating disagreements and conflicts: Gain strategies for handling disagreements and conflicts that may arise during code reviews. Learn how to engage in healthy discussions and resolve differences of opinion while maintaining a positive team atmosphere. 5. Cultivating a collaborative code review culture: Discover techniques for establishing guidelines and practices that foster a supportive and inclusive environment. Explore the benefits of knowledge sharing, mentorship, and continuous improvement. Join us for an enlightening session that explores the art of effective code reviews while fostering a positive and collaborative team environment. Whether you're a developer with little experience or an experienced professional, this talk offers practical tools and techniques to enhance your code review skills. Discover how to provide feedback in a mindful and empathetic manner, promote constructive collaboration, and contribute to the success of your development team. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your code review practices and contribute to a thriving development culture.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 2:00pm

    

    Tom Alabaster Mobile App Tech Lead - Naked Wines

    Tom Alabaster

57. 14:45

58. Break

    Break

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 2:45pm

59. 15:00

60. What went wrong? 3 real life app launch catastrophes, and how to avoid of them

    What went wrong? 3 real life app launch catastrophes, and how to avoid of them

    X

    Launching an app is not easy, even for multi million dollar companies.. In my 12 years as a freelance developer I've experienced many great, and many disastrous app launches. In this talk, I will share with you three real-life examples of app launches that went wrong, and what lessons we can learn from them. By the end of this talk you will learn how to avoid these pitfalls, and 3 features you should build into every app to give your launch the best chance for success!

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 3:00pm

    

    Rob J Veteran Freelance App Developer

    Rob J

61. From Layoffs to Rebound: Navigating an industry in crisis

    From Layoffs to Rebound: Navigating an industry in crisis

    X

    Navigating an industry in crisis Another day in our industry, another round of layoffs… Hey, tech industry! What's wrong with you?! While being laid off is not necessarily a bad thing for your future career, it is definitely one of the most emotionally draining and challenging experiences. In this presentation, I will talk about the consequences of layoffs, the survivor's guilt, the risk of burnout, the necessity of taking care of yourself, the imposter feelings that arise during a job search, and finally I will share with you some rebounding strategies! Come & join me on this journey feat. drama, but also hope because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 3:00pm

    

    Estelle Bailly Life & Career Confidence Coach | Imposter Syndrome Expert | Limit Break Mentor | Women in Games Ambassador | Gaming industry professional

    Estelle Bailly

62. Evil Tech: How Devs Became Villains

    Evil Tech: How Devs Became Villains

    X

    Once upon a time, developers were the unsung heroes of our world. The stereotypical developer, with glasses perched on the nose and an innate talent for science, even inspired the alter egos of superheroes. However, today, software engineers often find themselves under scrutiny for their roles in creating data-gathering apps, facial recognition software in CCTV systems, and the constant tracking of citizens through GPS, among other issues. From being heroes to becoming modern-day Dr. Frankensteins, tech creators face an unenviable dilemma: to embrace malevolence or strive for heroism. During this talk, we will delve deep into the complex relationship between technology and ethics, and explore how developers navigate the fine line between progress and principles. This is our villain’s origin story, told with a touch of dark humor.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 3:00pm

    

    Sergès Goma Software Developer

    Sergès Goma

63. 15:45

64. How Regex Works: The Secret Sauce Behind Pattern Matching

    How Regex Works: The Secret Sauce Behind Pattern Matching

    X

    Ever wondered how regular expressions pull off their magic tricks? Let's demystify the regex engine together! In this fun talk, we'll peek under the hood and see how it all works, using something called Non-deterministic Finite Automaton (NFA), or as some like to call it, state machines. Don't worry, we'll keep things simple and easy to understand. The regex engine is like a super-powered detective that's really good at finding specific patterns in text. But did you know that behind the scenes, it's using something we all study in universities, called Non-deterministic Finite Automaton (NFA)? It's a bit like a map that helps the regex engine understand and match patterns efficiently. Imagine trying to solve a really big puzzle. NFA helps by breaking down complex regex patterns into smaller pieces, or states. Then, all we need to do is follow the map, moving from one state to another until we find our match. It's like having a guide to lead us through the maze of text, making pattern matching a breeze. During our adventure, we'll take a closer look at how the regex engine is put together. We'll explore concepts like backtracking (when it needs to go back and try a different route), greedy quantifiers (how it decides how much to match), and character classes (the different types of characters it's looking for). And remember, we'll explain everything in plain language, so you won't get lost in technical jargon. But we won't stop at just talking about theory. We're going to dive deeper and take you through the process of building a simple regex matcher right in the presentation. By walking through this hands-on exercise, you'll get a firsthand look at how the regex engine works in action. By the end of our journey, you'll have not only a better understanding of regex but also the practical skills and confidence to use it effectively in your own projects. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned coder, this talk will help you unlock the secrets of regex and level up your pattern matching skills. So, join us for a fun and enlightening exploration into the world of regex!

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 3:45pm

    

    Andrii Raikov Principal Software Engineer at Delivery Hero SE

    Andrii Raikov

65. So you think you can lead a team?

    So you think you can lead a team?

    X

    Software engineering is hard. Leading a team, as an engineer, can be even harder. Many of us are better at developing software than we are with people and feel our value lies in actually writing code. When you step into team leading, there are more people than code and your value increases. Over the last 25 years I’ve been unexpectedly dropped into team leading a number of times, but three and a half years ago I chose to do it. It took at least twelve months for me to realise I was only starting to understand what leading a software team is and what it means. Join me for some of the highs and lows of team leading and an insight into some of the things I learnt to help me be a better team lead. I can’t promise a panacea as I still have much to learn, but I hope to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made.

    In the Conference Room 1 on Fri, 28th Feb 3:45pm

    

    Paul Grenyer Engineering Team Lead at Haven

    Paul Grenyer

66. Pairing, Sharing, Caring - One team's journey to Pair Programming

    Pairing, Sharing, Caring - One team's journey to Pair Programming

    X

    You probably already know that talking out loud can help you solve a problem (even if you don’t want to admit it). People have even coined the term rubber ducking to help normalise it! What would happen if the rubber duck talked back? The ability to constantly discuss your code and what you are going to do next is just one of the many benefits of Pair Programming. This talk will explore one team’s journey from Single Disciplinary Soloing to Cross Functional Pair Programming. Looking at how to start, styles of pairing and tips and tricks that make pairing easier.

    In the Conference Room 2 on Fri, 28th Feb 3:45pm

    

    Mark Bradley Senior Consulting Engineer at Armakuni

    Mark Bradley

67. 16:30

68. Break

    Break

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 4:30pm

69. 16:45

70. Closing Keynote

    Closing Keynote

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 4:45pm

71. 17:15

72. Thanks & Celebrations

    Thanks & Celebrations

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 5:15pm

73. 17:45

74. Wine Reception & Conference Dinner

    Wine Reception & Conference Dinner

    X

    In the Main Auditorium on Fri, 28th Feb 5:45pm