Research
Research focused on advancing opportunities for women and girls in technology, driving inclusivity and innovation
Research Underway
BlockW/ESRI: Gender Differences in Employment Outcomes in ICT-intensive Occupations
Publication Date: August 2026
This BlockW research forms part of a joint research programme between BlockW and the ESRI commissioned and funded by BlockW and undertaken by the ESRI. It examines employment outcomes related to ICT-intensive occupations (identified in the study "Squandered skills? Bridging the digital gender skills gap for inclusive growth in Ireland – A comparative European perspective") by gender in Ireland and contextualise these findings within the broader European landscape, using data from the European Skills and Jobs Survey (ESJS2). The research will investigate any gender differences in employment outcomes including pay, job satisfaction, job security, access to training, leadership roles and job complexity. The main objectives are to analyse key employment outcomes for ICT-intensive occupations in Ireland by gender, including: - Pay disparities: gender differences in earnings - Job satisfaction: variations in workplace satisfaction levels -Access to training: opportunities for skill enhancement and professional development - Leadership roles: representation of women in managerial and executive position - Job security and loss exposure: gendered patterns in employment stability
Authors: Dr Adele Whelan, Senior Research Officer at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Adjunct Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Professor Seamus McGuinness is a Research Professor at the ESRI, Adjunct Professor at TCD. Luke Brosnan, Research Assistant, ESRI.
Research Completed
March 2026 | Handbook of Blockchain in Public Governance
Handbook of Blockchain in Public Governance
BlockW contributed to the chapter "Redefining Education - A Blockchain Perspective" in the Handbook of Blockchain in Public Governance outlining how blockchain can support secure,
portable credentials and considering emerging decentralised learning models that could reduce costs,
widen access and strengthen talent pipelines.
Edited by Evrim Tan, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS), University of Münster, Germany
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Chiara Ventura
- Nicole Gani
- Professor Dr.-Ing.
Katarina Krüger - Professor Joyce O’Connor
- Magdalena Hristova,
- Dr. Izzat-Begum B. Rajan.
February 2026 | BlockW/ESRI Research Report
Squandered skills? Bridging the digital gender skills gap for inclusive growth in Ireland – A comparative European perspective
This BlockW research forms part of the Joint Research Programme between BlockW and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Women in Tech: The Digital Gap commissioned and funded by BlockW and undertaken by the ESRI.
Press Coverage:
Authors
Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) funded by BlockW
- Dr Adele Whelan, Senior Research Officer at the Economic and Social Research
Institute (ESRI) Adjunct Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). - Professor Seamus McGuinness is a Research Professor at the ESRI, Adjunct Professor
at TCD. - Luke Brosnan, Research Assistant, ESRI.
December 2025 | INATBA: Digital Literacy and the Essential Skills Shaping the Future
INATBA: Digital Literacy and the Essential Skills Shaping the Future
This Knowledge Byte by INATBA Issue "Digital Literacy and the Essential Skills Shaping the Future" examines:
– The Evolution of Literacy – from device mastery to AI, media, and data literacy
– The Human Dimension – why ethics, discernment, and emotional intelligence are emerging as strategic assets
– Bridging the Divide – ensuring access leads to empowerment and inclusive participation
– 2025 & Beyond – emerging skills such as Gen AI prompt engineering and sustainable digital practicesBusiness Plus
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Professor Joyce O’Connor, BlockW
- Limara Haque, CIRPASS2
October 2025 | Global Trends in Blockchain in Education for 2025
Knowledge BYTE by INATBA: Global Trends in Blockchain in Education for 2025
Global Trends in Blockchain in Education for 2025 highlights how secure digital credentials, innovative learning models, and blockchain-enabled tools are transforming access to education worldwide.
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Professor Joyce O’Connor, BlockW
June 2025 | BlockW/ESRI Report
Parenting in a Digital Era: A Narrative Review.
The BlockW narrative review explored the impact of digital technology on children's wellbeing, the challenges faced by parents, and potential public health interventions. The review revealed that while digital technologies offer numerous benefits, such as access to information, educational tools, and social connection, they also pose risks to the wellbeing of children and adolescents. The researchers emphasised the need for effective policies to protect children online, guided by a thorough understanding of when and how digital technologies cause harm.
Key findings include:
Impact on Wellbeing.
Challenges for Parents
Public Health Interventions:
Press Coverage:
Authors
ESRI.
- Dr. Celine Fox
- Dr. Deirdre Robertson
- Prof. Pete Lunn
Commissioned & Funded by BlockW
April 2024 | Adapt and Flourish Report
Web 3.0 Utility & Required Skills for Individuals. Why should I care about Blockchain?
- For Citizens
This is the first of three information sheets focused on blockchains role for citizens in areas including information, provenance, medical records, health and jobs. It is based on the CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe) project and the Adapt and Flourish Report.
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Chiara Ventura
- Nicole Gani
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger
- Prof Joyce O’Connor,
- Simone Ravaioli
- Prof. Lisa Short
- Wim Stalmans
- Dr. Lorena Stanesca
- Prof Roberto Tonelli
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Brunnhuber
- Dr Almudena de la Mata
- Prof. Paolo Giudici
- Dr Gustavo Prieto
- Dr Inon Schenker
- Mar Meneses
- CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe)
April 2024 | Adapt and Flourish Report
Web 3.0 Utility & Required Skills for Individuals. Why Should I Care About Blockchain for my jurisdiction?
- For Public Sector
This is the second of three information sheets focused on blockchains role for the public sector in relation to the younger generation, reskilling and upskilling the current workforce and in assisting underprivileged or under-represented citizens access opportunities. This information sheet is based on the CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe) project and the Adapt and Flourish Report.
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Chiara Ventura
- Nicole Gani
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger
- Prof Joyce O’Connor,
- Simone Ravaioli
- Prof. Lisa Short
- Wim Stalmans
- Dr. Lorena Stanesca
- Prof Roberto Tonelli
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Brunnhuber
- Dr Almudena de la Mata
- Prof. Paolo Giudici
- Dr Gustavo Prieto
- Dr Inon Schenker
- Mar Meneses
- CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe)
April 2024 | Adapt and Flourish Report
Web 3.0 Utility & Required Skills for Individuals. Why should I care about Blockchain?
- For Businesses
This is the third of three information sheets focused on blockchains role for business in relation to understanding decentralised technologies and how to leverage them, looking at how decentralised technology will impact legacy information systems and new roles within the sector.
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Chiara Ventura
- Nicole Gani
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger
- Prof Joyce O’Connor,
- Simone Ravaioli
- Prof. Lisa Short
- Wim Stalmans
- Dr. Lorena Stanesca
- Prof Roberto Tonelli
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Brunnhuber
- Dr Almudena de la Mata
- Prof. Paolo Giudici
- Dr Gustavo Prieto
- Dr Inon Schenker
- Mar Meneses
- CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe)
May 2022
Blockchain jobs: what policymakers need to know. Produced for circulation to all members of the Oireachtas.
Authors
- ESRI
- CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe)
- Economic & Social Research Council
- University of Sussex Business School
- Blockchain Ireland Education Working Group (Chaired by Professor Joyce O’Connor, BlockW)
- CPI- Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training.
July 2022
Submission on Blockchain Skills to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Authors
- Professor Joyce O’Connor, Co Founder and Chair BlockW;
- Dr Susan Rea, Director of Research, Nimbus Centre MTU, Academic Advisor Group BlockW.
June 2022
Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute Blockchain Skills Conference Creating Ireland as an International Blockchain Hub
Presenter
- Prof. Joyce O Connor (Chair of the Education, Skills and Innovation Working Group at Blockchain Ireland) Co Founder & Chair BlockW
March 2022
Developing Educational Awareness of Blockchain
A Student-Led Blockchain Research Fellowship Examining EU Developments in Blockchain and DLT. 4 th British Blockchain Association Conference, March 14th, 2022. A BlockW and Atlantic Technological University funded scholarship.
Authors
- Dominic Allen
- Dr. Trevor Clohessy
- Professor Joyce O’Connor.
