Introduction to Research in Decentralised Systems

The topics of this course will include some from the list below, but are not limited to:

• Mobile systems
• Decentralized and distributed systems
• Peer-to-peer systems
• Blockchain-based and distributed ledger (DLT) systems
• Identity and Self-sovereign identity systems
• Wearable computing systems
• Usability, UI, and UX of distributed and decentralised systems
• Data logging and user behavioural tracking
• Efficiency and optimization on mobile platforms and decentralised systems (e.g. GPU, CPU, battery life, etc)
• Mobiles and the relationship to cloud services and cloud technologies
• Ethical considerations for decentralised systems, eg. cryptocurrency or mobile surveillance and sensing
• Legal frameworks for mobile applications, with a focus on the EU, US, and Norway
• Publishing, distribution channels, monetization on mobile platforms and decentralised systems, like decentralised autonomous organisations (DAO)

After successfully completing the course, students possess the following:

Knowledge

• understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of distributed, decentralized and mobile systems and technologies
• in-depth understanding of development restrictions related to mobile and decentralized platforms, their lifecycle, and maintenance
• insight and understanding of the current state-of-the-art research in mobile, distributed and decentralized systems
• an appreciation for future developments in mobile hardware, distributed, peer-to-peer and decentralized systems
• understanding of different methodologies for complex technology systems research
• understanding of challenges in decentralised systems engineering

Skills

• ability to analyze existing interactions with mobile devices and peer-to-peer nodes
• ability to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in the context of mobile/wearable and decentralized technology
• ability to analyze the role of mobility and decentralization in connection with society
• ability to critically review literature and case studies related to decentralization and mobile systems
• ability to use insights to solve new problems in the decentralized systems space
• ability to express an opinion, review and counter-argue someone else's opinion in a written essay.

General competence

• ability to analyze ethical issues related to the use of mobile devices, p2p networks and decentralization technologies
• ability to present and discuss the results of research work, to computer scientists and subject matter experts, and the general public
• ability to communicate (in a written form) academic issues, analyses, and conclusions
• ability to contribute to innovative thinking and innovation processes

• Lectures
• Assignments
• Practical lab work, project

Additional information:

This course will focus on recent publications in research on mobile, distributed and decentralisation technology. The form of activities might vary from year to year subject to the selection of topics and the size of the group.