“Blockchain technology” is a buzzword with little meaning. Here’s what matters.

Article from Peter Van Valkenburgh published via CoinCenter introducing their new whitepaper, "Open Matters - Why Permissionless Blockchains are Essential to the Future of the Internet".

What is Blockchain Technology? A Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners

This article from BlockGeeks gives us decent breakdown of what blockchain is, and shares some examples of how it is currently being used and developed across a variety of markets.

The blockchain is an undeniably ingenious invention – the brainchild of a person or group of people known by the pseudonym,  Satoshi Nakamoto. But since then, it has evolved into something greater and the main question every single person is asking is: What is Blockchain?

Some Simple Economics of the Blockchain

Paper from Christian Catalini of MIT and Joshua S. Gans from University of Toronto

Abstract:
We rely on economic theory to discuss how blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies will influence the rate and direction of innovation.

The blockchain revolution: will universities use it, or abuse it?

Article from Martin Hall in Times Higher Education noting how blockchain has the opportunity to revolutionise higher education, but he asks, will it be used as a "force for good".

There is more to blockchain than moving money. It has the potential to transform our lives

Piece from the World Economic Forum that looks at how the coming together of universally available technology, a secure public platform and very low transaction costs will create opportunities across many arenas:

"Blockchain is, essentially, the most secure way we can make exchanges today, allowing you and I to send an asset without using a trusted emissary, creating a global common exchange digital marketplace."

5 blockchain use cases in financial services

Piece from Deloitte:

One of the most discussed topics in the financial services industry today is blockchain technology. We are beginning to understand what a blockchain is, but how can we best use this technology within our business?

Blockcerts — An Open Infrastructure for Academic Credentials on the Blockchain

Article from MIT Media Lab announcing the launch of BlockCerts.

Blockcerts provides a decentralized credentialing system. The Bitcoin blockchain acts as the provider of trust, and credentials are tamper-resistant and verifiable. Blockcerts can be used in the context of academic, professional, and workforce credentialing.

This is probably the first of many blockchain academic credentialing systems, but it's released under on an open source license, so will have some advantages for users. 

Further reading:
What we learned from designing an academic certificates system on the blockchain
Certificates, Reputation, and the Blockchain