Blockchain for science and education: expert views

Abstract

The article reviews how the blockchain and smart contracts can be applied to science and education. This is a topic of debate among experts: some of them believe in their effectiveness, while others point to negative effects and barriers to introducing these new technologies. The authors analyze preliminary expert opinions on the ways how to use blockchain and smart contracts in education and science. The study is based on the interviews with experts from Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and the U.S.A. who are experienced in applying these technologies in education, science and social projects. In conclusion, the authors discuss possible barriers to launch blockchain and smart contract in Russia.

Acknowledgments. The article is financed by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) within the framework of the project “Network contracts (smart contracts) as a way of regulation and organization of scientific activity” (no. 18-29-16184). The authors express their gratitude to Lilia Zemnukhova and Nikolai Rudenko (EUSP) for their participation in gathering empirical data.