TLDR: Aston University and the University of Leeds have been awarded £3.4 million by the Research England Development Fund to establish the AI Researcher Development Network Plus (AI.RDN+). This initiative aims to assess the impact and ethical use of publicly available AI tools in PhD research, providing guidance and training for doctoral students and staff across 22 universities.
Aston University and the University of Leeds have jointly secured a significant £3.4 million grant from the Research England Development Fund to spearhead a pioneering initiative focused on the integration and ethical application of artificial intelligence in doctoral research. The funding will establish the Artificial Intelligence Researcher Development Network Plus (AI.RDN+), a collaborative project designed to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI tools within academia.
The AI.RDN+ network will extend its reach beyond the two leading institutions, encompassing the eight research universities within the Midlands Innovation consortium and the 12 universities that form the Yorkshire Universities consortium. This broad collaboration underscores the widespread need to address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in higher education.
The project’s core mission is to thoroughly assess publicly available AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot, which are increasingly being adopted by PhD researchers. While these tools offer considerable potential for enhancing efficiency and reducing workloads, they also introduce complex challenges that require careful consideration and guidance.
Professor Phil Mizen, Professor of Sociology and Policy at Aston University, will lead the team. He emphasized the network’s comprehensive approach, stating, “The Artificial Intelligence Researcher Development Network Plus will provide detailed knowledge of the uptake and impact of publicly available AI tools across the doctoral ecosystem and use this to co-create much-needed information, resources and professional and skills training opportunities.” Professor Mizen further highlighted the project’s unique position: “Our project is a unique opportunity to build knowledge and capture innovation, and to use this to build the resources needed for the ethical and responsible use of AI in doctoral research.”
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The AI.RDN+ will undertake extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including PhD researchers, supervisors, examiners, and research-enabling staff. This consultative process will inform the creation of a robust resource base, offering clear guidance on the available AI tools, their appropriate usage, and identifying best practices through case studies. All findings and resources will be made accessible via a dedicated AI.RDN+ portal, ensuring broad dissemination and impact across the participating institutions and the wider academic community.
