Research
Research focused on advancing opportunities for women and girls in technology, driving inclusivity and innovation
Research Underway
Handbook Chapter: Redefining Learning: Blockchain & Education.
Publication Date: August 2025
This chapter explores the integration of blockchain and emerging technologies in education, covering decentralized learning platforms, metaversities, peer-to-peer learning, and their role in globalizing education. It also examines self-sovereign identity, blockchain-based credentials, and immutable research records, enabling continuous learning and secure student data management.
Authors: The Education Working Group, INABTA, Chiara Ventura, Nicole Gani, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger, Prof. Joyce O’Connor, Magdalena Hristova, Dr. Izzat-Begum B. Rajan.
BlockW & ESRI Study: Gender Gaps in Digital Skills in Ireland and Europe: Insights from the European Skills and Jobs Survey
Publication Date: October 2025
The joint research programme between BlockW and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), titled "Women in Tech: The Digital Gap” is a 3 phase research programme that began in March 2025. The research aims to investigate gender differences within Ireland’s technology sector, focusing on digital skills and employment outcomes.
The research will examine: The size and nature of the gender gap in digital skills within Ireland, compared to other European countries. Differences between men and women in employment outcomes, such as wages, job satisfaction, training opportunities, and promotions, in ICT-related jobs.
The specific skills required in technology-related occupations, particularly where gender differences are most notable, and projected skill requirements over the next five years.
Impact of the Research:
This research will directly support evidence-based actions to address gender gaps by:
Providing accurate information on the gender differences in digital skills and employment outcomes within Ireland’s tech sector.
Helping policymakers, employers, and educational institutions develop informed approaches to reduce barriers that women face in technology careers.
Contributing evidence for national skills and workforce development policies, aiming to improve gender equality in the labour market.
Informing organisations in developing specific training programmes and resources to address skill shortages and improve workplace inclusivity.
Overall, this study will support BlockW’s mission of reducing gender inequalities in the technology sector in Ireland.
Authors: ESRI on behalf of BlockW
BlockW & ESRI Study: Gender Differences in Employment Outcomes in ICT-Intensive Occupations (Phase 2 of a 3 Phase Research Project)
Research Publication Date: March 2026
Phase 2 will examine employment outcomes related to ICT-intensive occupations by gender in Ireland and contextualise these findings within the broader European landscape.
The study will investigate any gender differences in employment outcomes including pay, job satisfaction, job security, access to training, leadership roles and job complexity.
Impact of the Research:
This research output will provide an understanding of gender differences in employment outcomes and prospects in Ireland’s tech sector, identifying key areas where disparities are most pronounced, such as pay, training, or leadership opportunities.
The European contextualisation piece will allow comparative insights into how Ireland’s gender disparities align with or differ from broader European trends.
This project will provide evidence to support initiatives aimed at reducing gender disparities in the tech workforce and provide recommendations for policy arising from the findings.
Authors: ESRI on behalf of BlockW.
BlockW & ESRI Study: Bridging the Digital Divide: In-Demand Skills for ICT-intensive Occupations in Ireland (Phase 3 of the 3 Phase Research Project)
Research Publication Date: June 2026
This research will examine job advertisements related to ICT-intensive occupations in Ireland where gender-based disparities in digital skills are most pronounced and analyse their associated skills and competencies requirements (including Technical, Business and Transversal skills).
The research will focus on occupations where digital gender gaps are most pronounced to provide evidence-based recommendations for closing these gaps.
The research will provide recommendations for policy arising from the findings to guide national skills strategies for fostering equitable workforce development in ICT sectors.
Impact of the Research:
The ability to analyse job skills requirements and produce forecasts both for labour demand and supply in key ICT-intensive occupations where gender-based disparities in digital skills are most pronounced will provide valuable evidence for national skills strategies to ensure that the growth of employment in emerging technologies will not be restricted by gender-based disparities in digital skills.
Authors: The Education Working Group, INABTA, Chiara Ventura, Nicole Gani, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger, Prof. Joyce O’Connor, Magdalena Hristova, Dr. Izzat-Begum B. Rajan.
Research Completed
June 2025 | ESRI/BlockW Report
Parenting in a Digital Era: A Narrative Review.
The 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.
May 2023 | Adapt and Flourish Report
Web 3.0 Utility and Skills for Success. A thought experiment on a hypothetical citizen centric web 3.0 world and its skills requirements.
This report aims to indicate to individual citizens how blockchain can be useful for them and what skills they need to acquire to benefit from the new blockchain landscape. By using PBP (Public Permissionless Blockchains), the authors of this report believe in enabling greater democracy without relying on large tech giants and their services.”
Authors
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) Education Working Group.
- Wim Stalmans
- Chiara Ventura
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger
- Prof Joyce O’Connor
- Simone Ravaioli
- Prof. Lisa Short
- 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.