Speaking & Workshops
I speak about backend engineering, Laravel, API design, and developer experience. I love sharing practical patterns from real systems—clear, actionable content your audience can use the next day.
Speaker Bio
Steve McDougall is a backend engineer and developer advocate focused on Laravel, PHP, API design, and developer experience. He helps teams build maintainable systems, clear APIs, and tooling that removes friction. Steve’s talks are practical, example‑driven, and designed so attendees leave with patterns they can apply immediately.
With over a decade in professional software development, Steve has worked across startups and large‑scale systems, created open‑source tooling, and published extensive educational content through articles and video. He’s spoken at international conferences and community meetups, always with a focus on clarity, empathy for developers, and production‑ready code.
Typical topics include advanced Laravel patterns, API architecture and documentation, testing strategies, and building developer tools that elevate DX.
At a Glance
Topics I Cover
- ▶ Advanced Laravel patterns and architecture
- ▶ API design, documentation, and SDKs
- ▶ Testing strategies and maintainable codebases
- ▶ Developer Experience (DX) and tooling
- ▶ Event-driven systems and data modeling
Talks
Artisanal API Platforms: Crafting Developer-First Experiences
API Platform Conference 2024 • Lille, France
Building High-Performance APIs with Laravel's Built-in Tools
Laravel Worldwide Meetup • online
Scaling APIs in Laravel: Performance & Architecture Patterns
Zagreb PHP Meetup • Zagreb, Croatia
Composable Architecture in Laravel: Building Maintainable Applications
Laravel Live Pakistan • online
The 10 REST Commandments: Principles for Better API Design
Nordic APIs Platform Summit • Stockholm, Sweden
From Artisan to Expert: Advanced Laravel Techniques
PHP Leeds • online
Integrating Third-Party Services: Laravel Best Practices
PHP Dublin • online
Building & Testing Robust APIs in Laravel
Laravel Worldwide Meetup • online
Laravel API Fundamentals: Design, Build, Deploy
PHP South West • online
PHP Package Development: From Concept to Distribution
Nashville PHP • online
Automating Code Quality: Tools & Workflows for Cleaner Code
PHP South Wales • Cardiff, Wales
Formats
- ▶ Conference talk (30–45 minutes)
- ▶ Deep-dive session (60–90 minutes)
- ▶ Hands-on workshop (half-day or full-day)
- ▶ Panels, interviews, and podcasts
Typical Requirements
- ▶ HDMI (or compatible) video input
- ▶ Lapel/handheld microphone
- ▶ Reliable Wi‑Fi for live demos (optional)
- ▶ Recording allowed and encouraged (optional)
Resources for Organizers
- Headshot: /images/steve.jpg (hi‑res)
- Short bio: “Backend engineer and developer advocate focused on Laravel, API design, and DX.”
- Preferred intro: “Please welcome Steve McDougall, a backend engineer passionate about building scalable systems and great developer experiences.”
Booking & Availability
I’m happy to tailor sessions to your audience. For availability, abstract tweaks, or custom workshops, please get in touch.