Software Engineer & Educator

Larna
Campbell

Building accessible, user-centred systems that make complex data clearer, more usable, and easier to work with.

Illustrated portrait of Larna Campbell, smiling, wearing glasses and a black t-shirt with a rainbow logo, against a teal and purple gradient background

About

Building systems that work for people

Hi, I'm Larna,

I’m a software engineer based in the UK, building full-stack applications and structured data systems using JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python and SQL.

My work focuses on accessibility, maintainable architecture, and designing software that remains usable in real-world conditions; particularly where users are managing complexity, time pressure, or cognitive load.

My experience prior to software engineering, is in education leadership and digital learning design. That background strengthened my systems thinking, communication skills, and understanding of how information design affects usability and decision-making.

After completing an MA in Digital Education, I realised I particularly enjoyed designing digital products and wanted to learn software engineering so I could build systems from scratch, rather than relying on platforms with fixed constraints.

As I developed my engineering skills, I found I genuinely enjoyed the creativity, challenge, and satisfaction of building, testing, debugging, and iterating on products, especially when working to make them accessible and usable for the widest range of users possible.

Alongside continuing to work in education, I now build full-stack applications focused on usability, accessibility, and structured problem solving, applying testing, API integration, secure coding practices, and iterative delivery to create reliable, maintainable systems.

Work

Featured projects

A selection of full-stack applications and data-driven systems focused on usability, accessibility, and structured problem solving.

  • Medication Tracker

    Full-stack medication management application designed to support stock tracking, expiry management, and forecasting.

    Problem

    Managing medication routines across multiple products, batches, and expiry dates can create unnecessary cognitive load and increase the risk of waste or missed supplies.

    Engineering Focus

    Structured data modelling, business logic, accessibility-first UX, maintainable architecture

    • Python
    • MySQL
    • React
    • Python unittest

  • Task Management API

    Backend API for structured task tracking and complex casework-style workflow management.

    Problem

    Manual task coordination and inconsistent tracking create inefficiencies and reduce reliability in complex, time-sensitive workflows.

    Engineering Focus

    API design, layered architecture, testing, secure coding, maintainability, and reliability

    • Python
    • MySQL
    • React
    • Input validation

  • Language Learning App

    Full-stack language learning platform combining structured curriculum content with external API integration.

    Problem

    Many language learning platforms prioritise isolated vocabulary practice over structured progression and accessible content organisation.

    Engineering Focus

    API integration, scalable component architecture, accessibility, structured content systems

    • React
    • Next.js
    • JavaScript
    • APIs
    • Jest
    • React Testing Library

Skills

Technical skills

Languages
  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • Python
  • SQL
  • HTML
  • CSS
Frameworks & libraries
  • React
  • Astro
  • Node.js
  • Express
  • FastAPI
  • Next.js
Databases
  • SQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
Testing
  • React Testing Library
  • Jest
  • Supertest
  • Pytest
  • Python unittest
Accessibility
  • WCAG 2.2
  • ARIA
  • Keyboard navigation
  • Screen reader testing
  • Focus management
  • Cognitive accessibility
  • Lighthouse
  • GOV.UK Design System
  • User research and testing with disabled users
Tools & delivery
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Postman
  • Agile
  • Jira
  • ClickUp
  • Figma
  • VS Code
  • API integration
  • RestAPIs

Background

Experience

  1. Software & Engineering

    Software Engineer

    Independent Software Engineering Projects

    • Designing and building full-stack applications using JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python and SQL
    • Developing RESTful APIs and structured data systems
    • Applying testing, accessibility, and secure coding practices
    • Building modular, maintainable architectures using iterative delivery approaches
    • Designing systems focused on usability, clarity, and real-world workflows
  2. Education Leadership

    Head of Modern Foreign Languages

    Leeds City Council

    • Led department-wide improvement initiatives using structured analysis and iterative problem solving
    • Designed systems and workflows to improve consistency, communication, and operational efficiency
    • Analysed performance and behavioural data to inform strategic decision-making
    • Achieved a substantial% reduction in serious behaviour incidents through data-informed process improvements
    • Collaborated with multidisciplinary stakeholders and communicated complex information clearly

  3. MA Digital Education

    University of Leeds

    • Research-informed study of digital systems, accessibility, learning design, and user-centred technology.
    • Focused on education product development and how structured information, usability, and interface design affect understanding, participation, and decision-making.
    • Alongside digital pedagogy, learning theory, accessibility, and digital literacy.

Learning

Technical education & professional development

  1. Code First Girls

    CFGdegree Data and Software Engineering

    Software engineering programme focused on Python, SQL, APIs, backend development, data structures, debugging, and algorithmic thinking.

    • APIs and microservices
    • Object-oriented programming
    • Data structures and libraries
    • Recursion and linked lists
    • Debugging and algorithm design
  2. Code First Girls

    +Masters in DevOps & Cloud Engineering

    Training in cloud platforms, deployment workflows, infrastructure, containers, and security fundamentals.

    • AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud fundamentals
    • Security and compliance
    • Docker and containerisation
    • Kubernetes and deployments
    • Infrastructure and Terraform fundamentals
  3. AI Workshop

    SQL Bootcamp

    Focused SQL training covering querying, relational data handling, filtering, joins, and data analysis workflows.

  4. The Coders' Guild

    Project Management with Digital Tools & AI

    Training in delivery workflows, Agile methodologies, and digital collaboration tools.

    • Agile and Waterfall delivery
    • Scrum, Kanban, and Scrumban
    • Jira, ClickUp, and Trello
    • Agile ceremonies and delivery practices
  5. Code First Girls

    JavaScript Kickstarter

    Structured JavaScript and web development course covering programming fundamentals, functions, control flow, loops, variables, and introductory frontend development concepts.

    • JavaScript fundamentals
    • Functions and loops
    • Comparisons and logic
    • Variables and data types
    • Introductory web development
    • Problem solving and debugging
  6. Code First Girls

    Python & Apps Kickstarter

    Foundational Python and application development course covering programming fundamentals, data handling, functions, loops, and error handling.

    • Python fundamentals
    • Variables and data types
    • Functions and loops
    • Working with structured data
    • Exception and error handling
    • Problem solving and debugging
  7. Code First Girls

    Data & SQL Kickstarter

    Structured introduction to relational databases and SQL, covering querying, joins, functions, filtering, sorting, grouping, and data cleaning.

    • Database fundamentals
    • SQL querying
    • Joins and views
    • Data grouping and cleaning
    • Functions and structured data handling
    • Database design concepts
  8. Codecademy

    Full-Stack Engineering Path

    Self-directed full-stack engineering pathway covering frontend and backend development, databases, version control, and modern web application architecture.

    • HTML and CSS
    • JavaScript
    • React
    • Backend development
    • PostgreSQL
    • Git and GitHub
    • Full-stack workflows

Community

Community & professional interests

Active participant in accessibility, mentoring, and community-led technology spaces.

  • A11y North Accessibility
  • Queer Tech Leeds Inclusion & tech
  • Coding Black Females Diversity in tech
  • Women in Tech York Diversity in tech
  • Cajigo Women in Tech Diversity in tech
  • NurtureMe Mentoring Mentoring
  • AI Workshop AI & tech learning

Contact

Get in touch

I'm open to software engineering roles, accessible technology projects, and collaborations that centre inclusion and user need.