UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies

Promoting the adoption of Distributed Ledger Technologies in our socio-economic systems.

UCL CBT Fellowship Policy

1. Introduction

Founded in 2015, the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (UCL CBT) is an interdisciplinary research centre spanning multiple faculties. It is dedicated to examining the socio-economic impact of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT), and to advancing secure, transparent, and sustainable digital infrastructures. UCL CBT’s core pillars are:

  1. Research
    1. Theoretical and applied research on DLT;
    2. Artificial intelligence (AI) and its convergence with DLT;
    3. Related technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), digital identity, and asset tokenisation.
  2. Education
    1. UCL executive education courses;
    2. Bespoke training for regulators and industry (e.g. Decentralised Finance (DeFi) risks, stablecoins).
  3. Community Engagement
    1. Advisory contributions to regulatory and standard-setting processes (e.g. Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Financial Action Task Force (FATF));
    2. Closed-door roundtables, policy briefings, and working groups.

This policy outlines the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of UCL CBT Fellows. It defines their status, eligibility, appointment process, and expectations.

2. Fellow Status

  1. Fellows hold an unpaid honorary position and are not considered employees of UCL;
  2. This position does not carry access to employee benefits, pension schemes, or employment protections.
  3. In all academic publications, conference presentations, media appearances, and professional outputs, Fellows are expected to identify their affiliation as “Centre for Blockchain Technologies, University College London” or “UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies.” The abbreviated form “UCL CBT” may be used only where space constraints prevent the full name;
  4. Where funding or other material support has been provided by UCL CBT, Fellows are asked to include an appropriate acknowledgement of UCL CBT in any resulting outputs. This includes referencing UCL CBT where applicable (e.g. in footnotes, acknowledgement, or metadata);
  5. UCL CBT may feature Fellows’ profiles and research outputs on its official platforms, including websites and reports.

3. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify as a UCL CBT Fellow, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Be a senior academic leading a research team, laboratory, or centre;
  2. Have a minimum of three years of recognised contribution to research, policy, or standards development in areas relevant to UCL CBT’s mission;
  3. Hold a formal institutional affiliation with a university, research institute, or organisation aligned with UCL CBT’s objectives.

In addition, all candidates must:

  1. Demonstrate expertise and experience relevant to UCL CBT’s core themes in research, education, or community engagement;
  2. Commit to upholding the academic integrity, ethical conduct, and professional standards expected of the UCL CBT Fellow community.

4. Nomination and Assessment

This policy applies to both newly nominated individuals and existing Fellows. The following processes ensure that all Fellowships remain aligned with UCL CBT’s mission and areas of focus:

  1. Submission
    1. Completion of the UCL CBT Fellow Nomination and Confirmation Form;
    2. Optional: 1–2 letters of recommendation or institutional support;
    3. Nominations are reviewed by the UCL CBT leadership team.
  2. Evaluation (for all active Fellows)
    1. Fellowship standing is reviewed based on:
      1. Alignment with UCL CBT’s mission and priorities;
      2. Engagement as outlined in 3. Eligibility Criteria and 6.1 Duties.
    2. Each quarter, UCL CBT contacts Fellows to request brief updates—based on the examples listed under 6.1 Duties—for inclusion in a structured newsletter.
    3. If no substantive update is received across four consecutive quarters, the affiliation may be reviewed in accordance with the process described in 9. Termination of Affiliation;
    4. Final decisions rest with the UCL CBT leadership team.

Candidates approved through this process will be listed as active Fellows and subject to the rights and responsibilities set out in this policy. Fellows who do not complete confirmation will no longer be presented as affiliated with UCL CBT.

5. Fellow Benefits

UCL CBT Fellows may access a range of support and engagement opportunities, subject to resource availability, strategic alignment, and first-come, first-served allocation where applicable:

  1. Financial Support
    1. Travel and workshop funding may be provided for activities that are clearly attributed to UCL CBT;
    2. Fellows are expected to acknowledge UCL CBT support in relevant outputs;
    3. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
  2. Research and Technical Resources
    1. Access to datasets, analytics tools, and experimental platforms;
    2. Use of computing resources and cloud storage;
    3. Support from technical staff, developers, or research assistants;
    4. Grant application guidance and administrative assistance.
  3. Visibility and Dissemination
    1. Visibility via UCL CBT website, reports, and social media channels;
    2. Research dissemination through policy briefs and stakeholder-facing outputs;
    3. Promotion contingent on meeting affiliation requirements outlined in 2. Fellow Status;
    4. Event promotion and communications support where relevant.
  4. Teaching and Network Opportunities
    1. Teaching and speaking roles in UCL CBT executive programmes and partner events;
    2. Engagement with policymakers and industry experts (e.g. MiCA, DeFi, digital identity);
    3. Access to UCL CBT’s global network of academics, regulators, and emerging talent;
    4. Interaction with international organisations and regulatory bodies through UCL CBT platforms.

6. Responsibilities of Fellows

6.1. Duties

Fellows are expected to maintain high standards of research integrity and professional engagement. Core responsibilities include:

  1. Complying with UCL and UCL CBT policies on ethics, data governance, and research conduct;
  2. Providing periodic updates to UCL CBT, including contributions to UCL CBT’s quarterly newsletter, which forms part of the ongoing evaluation process outlined in 4. Nomination and Assessment. Updates may include:
    1. Abstracts of accepted or published research;
    2. Project or patent milestones;
    3. Participation in academic or industry events;
    4. Other developments linked to their CBT-related work.
  3. Supporting the visibility of UCL CBT’s research themes at least once annually through activities within their institution or community, such as:
    1. Academic lectures;
    2. Internal briefings;
    3. Teaching engagements.

Fellows are expected to indicate their UCL CBT affiliation in these settings and, where applicable, display the UCL CBT logo on presentation slides, event materials, or banners in accordance with brand guidelines.

6.2. Encouraged Activities

Subject to individual expertise and availability, Fellows are encouraged to engage through:

  1. Authoring educational or outreach materials on UCL CBT themes;
  2. Participating in UCL CBT-led industry, policy, or technical projects;
  3. Supervising or co-supervising PhD students;
  4. Co-authoring interdisciplinary or multi-institutional research papers;
  5. Representing UCL CBT by attending or speaking at academic events aligned with its mission, whether organised by UCL CBT or external partners;
  6. Co-applying for funding from international, regional, or industry sources;
  7. Organising thematic seminars, workshops, or technical events (e.g. hackathons);
  8. Facilitating partnerships with universities, businesses, or regulatory institutions;
  9. Disseminating UCL CBT research, project outcomes, and event insights;
  10. Supporting UCL CBT’s financial and operational sustainability through resource mobilisation.

7. Professional Conduct and Ethics

Fellows are expected to maintain high standards of ethical and professional behaviour. Specifically:

  1. Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the course of UCL CBT-related activities;
  2. Fellows should not promote third-party products, services, or commercial interests using the UCL CBT name or affiliation;
  3. Fellows should not sign contracts or enter into legal or financial commitments on behalf of UCL CBT;
  4. Material breaches of these expectations, including violations of relevant UCL policies, may lead to a review in accordance with the process described in 9. Termination of Affiliation.

8. Liability and Indemnity

  1. UCL CBT is not responsible for any actions, decisions, or consequences arising from a Fellow’s independent activities;
  2. Fellows are expected to indemnify UCL CBT against any claims, losses, or liabilities that result directly from their use of UCL CBT resources, representation of affiliation, or participation in UCL CBT-led activities;
  3. This applies in cases where conduct falls outside the expectations set out in 6. Responsibilities of Fellows and 7. Professional Conduct and Ethics;

9. Termination of Affiliation

  1. Fellow affiliations are reviewed annually, based on sustained engagement, alignment with UCL CBT’s objectives, and adherence to this policy (see 6. Responsibilities of Fellows and 7. Professional Conduct and Ethics).
  2. Either party may conclude the affiliation with one month’s written notice;
  3. In exceptional cases (e.g. serious misconduct), UCL CBT may end the affiliation with immediate effect;
  4. Terminations are confirmed in writing via email;
  5. Upon termination:
    1. Fellows must cease using the UCL CBT affiliation in all publications, public profiles, and communications, including social media (see 2. Fellow Status);
    2. Any continued use of the affiliation may result in a formal correction request and, where necessary, notification to relevant institutions, publishers, or platforms.
  6. Former Fellows may reapply through the standard nomination process, subject to review by the UCL CBT leadership team (see 4. Nomination and Assessment).

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

  1. This policy is governed by the laws of England and Wales;
  2. Any disputes shall be resolved through the courts of England and Wales.

By accepting the title of UCL CBT Fellow, individuals acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in this policy.