Consensus is how a blockchain network agrees on the next valid block and shared history.
Proof of work and proof of stake are the dominant public models. Designs trade off energy, speed, and decentralization assumptions.
In research workflows, Consensus mechanism is usually interpreted with Proof of work, Proof of stake, Finality, and Validator rather than as a standalone signal. Throughput, finality, and fee markets determine user experience and where activity migrates during congestion.