The IEEE ICBC (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency) is an annual conference, and its 6^th edition was held at Trinity College Dublin from May 27th to 31st.

As a blockchain researcher, the opportunity to attend a core blockchain conference such as IEEE ICBC was a valuable experience as it was also the first conference I attended. I was working on Hyperledger Fabric, a popular blockchain platform that fits the supply chain's use case. The contribution I presented was a framework within Hyperledger Fabric to allow a more comprehensive query system across channels within the network. This was published in the form of a demo paper, which is published within the IEEE digital library, as well as a proof of concept of this research to demonstrate the functionality of the solution.

In addition to that, my supervisor, Dr Vishal Sharma, along with his team - Dr Trung Q. Duong (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada), Dr Oluwafemi Olukoya (Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom (Great Britain)), Dr Teik Guan Tan (pQCee, Singapore), Dr Zengpeng Li (Shandong University, United Kingdom (Great Britain)) presented a tutorial at the conference, which I also was a part of. The tutorial covered the future of distributed ledger technology and the upcoming challenges that it would face.

Gyan Wickremasinghe sharing a demo paper and poster presentation at ICBC

This year, the conference was held in Dublin. This was convenient travelling from Belfast, as it was just a 2-hour train journey! I was fortunate that my industrial sponsor, PwC, covered the registration fee, accommodation and food during the conference. The conference lasted for five days and covered various themes within blockchain and cryptocurrency and I was able to attend the talks that aligned with my area of research based on this. Each day started at 9 am and ended at 6 pm, with plenty of breaks in between. The themes ranged from cross-chain communication, consensus protocols, CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies), DeFi (Decentralised Finance) and many more.

Dr Vishal Sharma (QUB ARC Co-Investigator) presenting a tutorial at ICBC

My demo was presented during the lunch break, with each presenter assigned a stall to showcase their work. It was an incredibly engaging session, not only because of the feedback I received but also due to the opportunity to network with a diverse group of professors, researchers, and fellow attendees, many of whom were working on similar themes. The discussions went beyond just my demo; they opened up opportunities for brainstorming, exchanging ideas, and exploring potential collaborations. These interactions helped me refine my approach and identify new research directions within blockchain technology. It was particularly insightful to hear different perspectives on tackling complex issues, which enriched my understanding of the field. This experience transformed the session into a valuable networking and collaborative platform, fostering connections with leading experts.

Gyan Wickremasinghe presenting a tutorial at ICBC

In addition to the core sessions, the conference featured several enriching events providing a well-rounded cultural experience. One of the highlights was the visit to Trinity College Dublin for the Book of Kells exhibition. The experience was captivating and educational, offering a profound appreciation for this medieval manuscript’s intricate artistry and historical significance. Another standout event was the visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse, where we had the opportunity to explore the history of one of Ireland’s most renowned exports. The tour was immersive and ended with a memorable banquet dinner in the heart of this historic location, providing a perfect setting for informal networking and discussions with fellow attendees.

By Gyan Wickremasinghe

ARC PhD Candidate

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For general information on ARC Research at Queen's University Belfast, please contact us via arc@qub.ac.uk. Contact information for individual members of the QUB ARC team can be found here.