Craig Marais

• Backend engineering

  C# and .NET, Java and Spring, Python, SQL. REST APIs, relational data, Docker, and AWS. I teach this stack every week and have built it in industry.

• Teaching & curriculum

  Wrote the Java and .NET full-stack bootcamp curricula at Noroff and taught them across many cohorts. Now run a two-year backend programme from fundamentals to capstone projects.

• Leading & client work

  Led a department of lecturers, managed programme delivery for a B2B partner, and owned the account. Comfortable between engineers, stakeholders, and customers.

• Security-minded development

  Published research on security awareness. Teach API security, authentication and authorisation, JWT and RBAC, and secure design as part of the core programme.

• AI-assisted development

  I use Claude daily in my own work, this site included. I teach students to work with AI assistants productively, including when not to trust the output.

• Technical writing & presenting

  Documentation, curricula, and presenting to technical and non-technical audiences. Seven published papers and a decade of lecturing.

2023–

Teacher · Gokstad Akademiet, Oslo Teach all four courses of the Backend-programmering programme: Python, SQL and Flask; C# and .NET; algorithms, Blazor and ASP.NET Core; Docker, Docker Compose and AWS. Authored a peer-reviewed paper for the institution (CENTRIC 2024).

2023

Teacher (part-time) · Norwegian School of Technology, Oslo Concurrent part-time role developing introductory software development material.

2022–23

Technologist · Talented (acquired by Witted), Oslo Designed and delivered in-house technical training, acted as a hands-on technical resource for colleagues and clients, and managed internal IT and supplier contracts.

2018–22

Noroff Accelerate · Noroff School of Technology and Digital Media Lecturer & Programme Leader, then Programme Manager, then Key Account Manager. Wrote and taught the Java and .NET full-stack bootcamps, led all teaching staff in the new Accelerate department, supervised six lecturers, and developed new courses (cloud microservices, embedded C++, Python for data analysis, TDD, OWASP). Managed the Experis Academy partnership end to end.

2011–18

Earlier roles · South Africa Project supervision and web development at Nelson Mandela University; Unity mobile prototyping at Fuzzy Logic Studio; tutoring in software development, information systems, AI, and theory of computing at NMU and Rhodes University.

Languages

C#, Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, C++, R

Backend

.NET and ASP.NET Core, Spring, Flask, REST API design, relational databases

Frontend

Blazor, Angular, React, Vue

Platform

Docker and Docker Compose, AWS, Git, CI, agile delivery, testing and TDD

AI tooling

Claude and Claude Code, AI-assisted development workflows, teaching their effective use

Other

Unity, secure software development, Microsoft Certified Professional, CompTIA A+, member of Tekna

2013

Master of Technology, Information Technology Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University · Dissertation: Guidelines for the Use of the Indie Approach in Game Development Projects in the Context of a Capstone Experience

2012

Bachelor of Technology, Information Technology (Software Development) Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

2011

National Diploma, Information Technology (Software Development) Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Publications on cyber security awareness, game-based learning, and computing education. Full list on Google Scholar.

1. 2024

   The Balance Between Surveillance and Privacy: Adjusting to a Changing Threat LandscapePDF ↗ Berntzen, L., & Marais, C. · CENTRIC 2024, Venice, Italy

2. 2018

   Offline-First Design for Fault Tolerant ApplicationsPDF ↗ Linklater, G., Marais, C., Herbert, A., & Irwin, B. · SATNAC 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

3. 2016

   Towards a Technical Skills Curriculum to Supplement Traditional Computer Science TeachingDOI ↗ Marais, C., & Bradshaw, K. · ITiCSE 2016 (ACM)

4. 2015

   Problem-Solving Ability of First Year CS Students: A Case Study and InterventionPDF ↗ Marais, C., & Bradshaw, K. · SACLA 2015, Johannesburg, South Africa

5. 2014

   Incorporating a Game Design Document into Game Development Project DeliverablesPDF ↗ Marais, C., Futcher, L., & Van Niekerk, J. · SACLA 2014, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

6. 2013

   Are you human? A framework to prevent automated web-form submissions Marais, C., & Van Niekerk, J. · ZA-WWW 2013, Cape Town, South Africa

7. 2013

   Fostering Content Relevant Information Security Awareness through Browser ExtensionsDOI ↗ Potgieter, M., Marais, C., & Gerber, M. · WISE 8 / IFIP, Auckland, New Zealand