Paul is an engineer and researcher who has spent over 25 years working on how complex systems cope with the unexpected. With a PhD in engineering from KU Leuven, he helped set out the PROSA reference architecture for Holonic Manufacturing Systems and is co-author of Design for the Unexpected: From Holonic Manufacturing Systems towards a Humane Mechatronics Society.
Across a string of European research projects he has carried the idea of a holonic execution system into manufacturing, logistics, networked production, fleet robotics, traffic and transportation, smart grids and integrated healthcare - always chasing systems that stay useful when reality refuses to follow the plan.
At Code BEAM Europe he brings that thinking to the Informal Space with a hands-on Elixir and Phoenix LiveView prototype for inclusive stakeholder engagement.