PhD Courses in Denmark

Welcome to Generative AI in the PhD process

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is becoming ingrained in research processes to an ever-evolving degree. Recently, GAI has recently become both the object for increased research, used as a research method, e.g. in the form of AI-assisted qualitative data analysis, and as a writing aid in the preparation of academic manuscripts, among other things in developing research applications. Recent research shows that at least half of academics report using GAI tools, and as much as 83% expect to use GAI more in the future (Watermeyer et al. 2024). This calls for discussions of responsible uses of GAI in research, and not least emergent researchers should develop their own GAI strategy, as well as lay foundations for continuous development and reflection of their use of GAI as they progress in their research careers.

Doctoral education (also known as the PhD phase or the PhD process) has been shown to be the crucial point in time when emergent researchers undergo enculturation into the academic community and ‘learn the trade’ of being a researcher (Gardner, 2008). However, with an ever-increasing diversity in models and aims of doctoral education (Sarrico, 2022), the need also arises for PhD students to develop their own strategies of how and to what means to curate their PhD trajectories. GAI accelerates this need, as this highly versatile technology can be applied at various stages, to various ends and with various levels of success throughout the PhD process (e.g., Zamani & Sinha, 2024). Recent research into GAI use in the PhD phase has called for “a balanced approach to AI adoption [depending] on the development of comprehensive strategies that are informed by a deep understanding of both the technological capabilities and the human factors involved” (Oliveira et al., 2024).

This generic PhD course for emergent researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences is based on an exploration and reflection of the potentials and pitfalls of using GAI in participants’ individual PhD projects.

Its objectives are that participants:

• gain insights into the various aspects of and approaches to the integration of GAI in the conduct of research; specifically: i) GAI as a tool for learning and development; ii) GAI as a tool for writing; iii) GAI and research ethics; iv) GAI’s application as a research method
• expand their understanding of the implications of GAI integration into (PhD) research processes
• reflect and draft their own GAI strategy (including research ethics) for their PhD project

The course strives for a nuanced elaboration of GAI; for that, it will be combining critical-reflective and proactive perspectives of how to think about and engage with GAI. Its pedagogical-didactical underpinnings are rooted in state-of-the-art knowledge about PhD students benefitting from cutting-edge knowledge input in combination with opportunities for reflective and collaborative processes (Lee, 2020) (Lindén et al., 2013), which will be also integrated into the course.

This course will be held over two days. The first day will be dedicated to the topic of understanding GAI as a tool for learning, development and the conduct of academic work; as well as the ethics and implications of GAI use in the PhD process. The second day will provide participants with the opportunity to explore the possibilities and challenges of integrating GAI as a research tool and to reflect further on the question of GAI ethics.

Teaching methods:

This course will combine lectures from experts on the various aspects of GAI research integration, plenary discussions and a set of reflective and hands-on exercises with integrated peer feedback.

Programme/litterature: 

See more here: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/course/view.php?id=2686