Dr Beth Kewell, University of Exeter Business School

The Business & Management Research Institute (BMRI) arranged a research seminar by Dr Beth Kewell, Research Fellow, University of Exeter Business School, in Luton on 14 January 2019.

The seminar was titled “Blockchains in Many Shapes, Sizes and Ethical Guises?” and provided an ethical perspective compared to several technical seminars by previous BMRI speakers (e.g., Dr Tom Kirkham and Dr Kyle Alves).

Blockchain technology projects are becoming highly diffuse across industry and society. According to Beth, as knowledge of blockchain technology has spread, so too have concerns about their efficacy -- and the moral stance of their backers. Her talk explored an emerging frontier in the Ethics of Technology, in which a variety of claims are made for and against the virtues of blockchain innovations. Beth summarised key challenges integral to the assessment of the moral hazards posed by blockchain research using a range of case study examples in the UK.

The seminar was attended by staff members and PGR students.