The overall aim of this project is to advance knowledge and understanding of the technology, societal impact, and application potential of blockchain technology. Blockchains are only relevant when they relate mistrusting entities in a social context and serve a real application. Therefore the planned research on blockchains takes a multi-disciplinary approach including technological aspects (cryptographic mechanisms, networking requirements, identity management), societal aspects and application areas. The project team involves 12 professors across several different departments and faculties. Six interconnecting PhD positions are available. All project researchers will work together to solve problems with a sound theoretical basis and practical impact.

Trust and Transparency in Digital Society Through Blockchain Technology is one of the nine NTNU Digital Transformation projects.

The concept of blockchains has got extensive attention and is expected to be a salient technology in the ongoing digital transformation, yielding a paradigmatic shift in how transactions are taking place. This is due to its massive potential to streamline and secure transactions of different kinds. Use of immutable public ledgers replaces currently trusted entities with distributed interactions whose integrity is underpinned by cryptographic protocols. The inuence of the blockchain revolution is already taking place in financial industries, and developments are advancing wherever digitalisation is taking place, including manufacturing, health and government.

A proper understanding of blockchains naturally depends on understanding the technology: the cryptographic mechanisms and protocols employed, the networking requirements and constraints, and the management of identities. However, a comprehensive study of blockchain technologies is incomplete without including also societal and application aspects. Blockchains are only relevant when they relate mistrusting entities in a social context and serve a real application. Therefore, it is essential that research on blockchains takes a multidisciplinary approach.

The overall aim of this project is to advance knowledge and understanding of the technology, societal impact, and application potential of blockchain technology. This is done through establishing six sub-projects addressing various aspects of this cross disciplinary problem domain.

1. Blockchain Cryptographic Foundations
2. Networking Impact and Support for Blockchains
3. Identity management
4. Blockchain Technology in Distributed Value Chains
5. Blockchain Opportunities in Health Care and Health Sciences
6. Blockchain Technology in the Organizational Context