Rorik de Boer
PhD candidate in Information Systems, University of Innsbruck
Academic
Position
- Oct 2025 – presentPhD candidate, Information SystemsUniversity of Innsbruck — Institut für Wirtschaftsinformatik, Produktionswirtschaft und Logistik. Supervised by Prof. Andreas Eckhardt.
Dissertation
Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) promise governance without a centre: rules are encoded in smart contracts, and decisions are made by token holders. Yet someone writes that code. This dissertation asks how responsibility comes to rest with developers in organizations that present themselves as decentralized, and how that decentrality is perceived — by participants, and by outside institutions such as courts. Drawing on Foucault’s three axes of subjectification (knowledge, power and ethics), it combines a netnographic study of VitaDAO, interviews with blockchain developers, and ethnographic observation methods. It examines how formal governance and informal decision-making together shape this ecosystem and what we can learn from that in a wider societal context.
Publications and working papers
- Working paperBearing Responsibility for Irretrievable Artifacts in OSS DevelopmentWith [co-authors]. In preparation for an information systems venue.
Teaching
- 2025 – presentProseminar Wirtschaftsinformatik (Business Informatics)University of Innsbruck.
- 2025 – presentCourse coordinator, IT Project ManagementUniversity of Innsbruck.
- 2025 – presentThesis supervisionGuiding students through their theses at the University of Innsbruck.
- 2024Introduction to Blockchain Technology (honours course)Utrecht University. Developed and taught an honours course for MSc students.
Education
- 2021 – 2023MSc Digital Business & InnovationVrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
- 2015 – 2020BSc Science, Business & InnovationVrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
- 2009 – 2015Gymnasium, Natuur & TechniekHet 4e Gymnasium, Amsterdam.
General
Experience
- Oct 2025 – presentSelf-employed - Rorik de Boer SailingIT and blockchain consultancy, project management, web services and writing.
- Jul 2024 – Oct 2025Skipper, S.V. LuwteOcean sailing across the Atlantic on a steel Dubois 11.50.
- Oct 2017 – Oct 2025Co-founder, R&M Blockchain CompanyWorkshops and seminars introducing students and businesses to blockchain, and tailored consultancy on blockchain-based funding and back-end automation through smart contracts.
- Jul 2022 – Oct 2024Product Owner, UGURUAmsterdam.
- Sep 2020 – Apr 2022IT Support Network for Teaching & Learning, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamImproved IT systems and processes during the shift to digital education, and rolled out instructions and support for teaching staff.
- Mar 2018 – Jan 2019Blockchain Manager & STO advisor, Peliqan.aiProject manager for Peliqan’s fundraising through a security token offering, and designer of its blockchain implementations.
- Jan 2017 – Oct 2018Co-founder, StaatsliedenA brand for the residents of Amsterdam’s Staatsliedenbuurt, later expanded to the rest of the city. Responsible for the business side.
- Feb 2017 – Dec 2018SHAKE Young Talent, SpinAwardsMultidisciplinary innovation projects for RTL and DELA, from research to a working demo.
- Feb 2015 – Sep 2017Head of Coaching — Juniors, Roeivereniging Willem IIICoached and trained rowers aged 14 to 18; responsible for training policy and regional races.
Skills
- Product and platform development
- Technology integration
- Blockchain and smart contracts
- Brand and web design
- Qualitative research methods
- AI and Microsoft 365 advisory
- Privacy-by-design and open-source licensing
Languages
- DutchNative
- EnglishProfessional
- GermanFunctional
- LatinElementary
Beyond work
- Ocean sailing
- Speed skating — Union Speed Skating Club Innsbruck
- Triathlon, training toward a full distance
- Competitive rowing