Shane Deconinck

About me

Shane Deconinck

Shane Deconinck

I’m recognized for my leadership and innovation in decentralized technologies, with deep expertise in digital trust and extensive experience as a senior full stack web developer.

I hold certifications in Laravel, Design Thinking, Hyperledger Fabric, and Besu, blending technical mastery with a user-focused and strategic approach.

Recently, I expanded my focus to Trusted AI Agents, exploring how to ensure their safety and reliability across diverse trust boundaries within digital systems.

At Howest Cyber3Lab, I lead applied research projects and actively contribute to the Linux Foundation Digital Trust (LFDT) community. I write, speak, and build communities dedicated to demystifying complex tech. Helping businesses separate hype from value and embrace real-world adoption.

Contact Information

Experience

Web3 Lead

Howest University of Applied Sciences · 2019 - Ongoing

  • Development and architecture within blockchain use cases for national and European research projects.
  • Development of innovative web platforms with interdisciplinary teams.
  • Leading Web3 team, mentoring interns.

Interim Research Manager

Howest University of Applied Sciences · 2022 - 2023

  • Managed 13 applied researchers at the research group Security & Privacy. (AI, Cybersecurity, Immersive Tech, Web3).

Full Stack Web Developer

Howest University of Applied Sciences · 2017 - 2019

  • Developed innovative web platforms with interdisciplinary teams.

Certifications

Awards

  • LFDT 2025 Community Recognition Award (Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust, December 2025)
    • Recognized as one of 10 community leaders for driving ecosystem development and educating the next wave of contributors and builders in the decentralized trust space.

Side Projects

Tech Lead

Afrodidact vzw · 2017 - Present

  • Non-profit developing EdTech solutions for schools in deprived contexts.

Education

  • BA Blockchain Developer & Architect @home (Howest University of Applied Sciences, 2020-2022, highest distinction)
  • BA Applied Computer Science - Minor ICT Consultancy (Howest University of Applied Sciences, 2015-2017, distinction)
  • IT Management (High School) (KTA Drie Hofsteden Kortrijk, 2007, award best IT student)

Languages

  • Dutch - Native
  • English - Proficient
  • French - Professional
  • Japanese - Beginner

Skills

Web3

  • EVM, Besu
  • Hyperledger Fabric
  • SSI / EBSI
  • Bitcoin / Lightning Network
  • IPFS

Web2

  • TALL stack: Tailwind, Alpine.js, PHP / Laravel, Livewire
  • Node.js / Express
  • Vue.js

System

  • Linux, Docker
  • DevOps: CI/CD, Kubernetes (conceptual)
  • Git

Other

  • Design Thinking
  • Business Process Modeling
  • Agile Project Management
  • Educating & Writing (demystifying complex concepts)

Research Projects

  • 2025 - Ongoing: TETRA DPP InZicht: Exploring authenticity and integrity verification through SSI for Digital Product Passports.
  • 2024 - Ongoing: Interreg SecuWeb: Implemented SSI on EBSI, Solid data pods, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
  • 2024 - 2025: EBSI Node Expansion: Hosting of EBSI node infrastructure for decentralized credentials.
  • 2023 - 2025: Digital Credentials for Europe: Explored verifiable credentials in public-sector processes.
  • 2022: EBSI Early Adopters Programme: Created a portal for municipalities to issue verifiable credentials.
  • 2021 - 2025: ICON Future Flemish Pig: Explored blockchain’s potential in supply chains.
  • 2021 - 2023: Interreg Blockchain4Prosumers: Investigated blockchain’s potential for energy trading systems.
  • 2019 - 2023: Interreg Blockchain IN Government: Developed blockchain use cases for mobility, fitness, and energy.
  • 2017 - 2019: TETRA Blockchain4SME: Demonstrated practical blockchain implementations (Hyperledger Fabric) to help SMEs understand adoption potential and real-world value.

Hackathons

  • Decentralized Autonomous Hackathon Series: Developed and organized smart contract-driven hackathons:
    • 2024: AI Hackathon
    • 2023: Energy Hackathon
    • 2022: Anna Ridler Hackathon
  • ETH Brussels Hackathon 2023: Co-organizer of this blockchain-focused hackathon.
  • BLING Hackathon 2021: Co-organizer of an international blockchain hackathon.

Events & Speaking Engagements

Media