Peter Schelkens is affiliated with the Department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO), where he leads research in multidimensional signal processing, particularly in computational imaging, photonics, and multimedia communication. His work spans fundamental, strategic, and applied research domains, integrating disciplines such as information theory, signal representation, coding theory, digital signal processing, optics & photonics & computer science.

Peter Schelkens is deeply involved in image and video processing, including multimedia standardization, and has contributed to high-performance computing architectures, such as GPU and SSE-based processing. His research also addresses quality metrics and subjective quality assessment procedures for multimedia content.

He has explored advanced visualization techniques like autostereoscopic and holographic imaging and augmented reality. His applied research spans biomedical imaging, microscopy, 3D media production, cultural heritage digitization, and industrial inspection systems.

He has made contributions to source and channel modeling, wavelet and Fourier-based signal representations, and quantization techniques, including multiple description and successive approximation methods. His expertise also includes convex optimization, data hiding, and error-resilient coding, with applications in distributed video coding and joint source-channel coding.

He plays a key role in international standardization efforts, particularly within ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG1 (JPEG) and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29 (overarching committee of JPEG and MPEG groups).

He is involved in spin-off ventures such as Swave Photonics and Universum Digitalis, reflecting his commitment to translating academic research into industrial innovation.

His interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering, physics, and biomedical sciences, fostering innovation across domains. Schelkens received an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2013, underscoring the impact and excellence of his research.

Beyond research, he serves as Vice-Rector for Innovation and Valorisation at VUB. He was Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, where he contributed to strategic planning and policy development. Schelkens coordinated the successful CTI accreditation for engineering programs in 2022.  

He chaired the Ethics Committee on Dual Use, Military Research and Misuse (ECDMM) and is currently chairing the Innovation & Valorisation Council and the Industrial Research Fund Council.

He is also a member of the Board of Governors of imec vzw, the Flemish Institute for BioTechnology (VIB) vzw, Green Energy Park (GEP) vzw, Research Park Zellik – Campus Development bv., and Research Park Zellik – Living Lab Development & Management bv.