Learning Out Loud (Under Near-Existential Pressure)

QCon London 2026

Keynote

Learning Out Loud (Under Near-Existential Pressure)

Wednesday Mar 18 / 09:00AM GMT, Fleming + Whittle (3rd Fl.) at The QEII Centre, London

Abstract

As devs today, we're supposed to demonstrate immediate skills in tools whose configs change once a fortnight, while shipping cutting-edge features in long-standing apps (that may still have a legacy bug or two). Drawing on her background as a trained teacher and Photoshop engineer, Laura brings humor, solidarity, and research on the mechanics of real learning and change to this all-too-relatable environment. You'll get concrete reframes to lower the perceived stakes of failure while shifting your identity from "knower" to "learner", including treating hard moments as practice rounds, creating visible evidence that your brain is adapting, and using mediocrity as an invitation to group learning. Laura is using these practices in her ongoing quest to remain a software developer before it's time to take up woodworking.

76% senior dev or higher
1:11 speaker ratio
60+ practitioners

QCon London 2026 is a three day conference for senior software engineers, architects and team leads. An international program committee of working engineers selects every session. Patterns and practices, not products and pitches.

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