Article contents:
- Introduction: A strategic investment in the future of academic research
- What is the AI.RDN+ network and what does it aim to achieve?
- Artificial intelligence challenges in PhD research
- From consultation to resources: How will the network work?
- Leadership vision: Building knowledge for ethical and responsible use
- Conclusion: A step towards shaping research practice in the age of artificial intelligence
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction: A strategic investment in the future of academic research
In a move reflecting the growing importance of regulating and guiding the use of artificial intelligence in academia, a joint project between Aston University and the University of Leeds has won £3.4 million in funding from the Research England Development Fund. This ambitious four-year project aims to establish a national network to evaluate publicly available artificial intelligence tools and promote their adoption and responsible, innovative use by PhD researchers and their supervisors.
What is the AI.RDN+ network and what does it aim to achieve?
The network will be known as the Artificial Intelligence Researcher Development Network Plus (AI.RDN+). Alongside the two leading universities, the network will include eight research universities in the Midlands and 12 universities forming the Yorkshire Universities consortium, making it a wide-scale initiative. The network will evaluate publicly available artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, and determine the best ways to use them in PhD-level research, with a focus on innovation and ethical use.
Artificial intelligence challenges in PhD research
Artificial intelligence tools are being rapidly adopted in academia, and while they hold significant potential to reduce workloads and streamline processes, they also pose major challenges. This is particularly true for PhD research, which holds an important position regarding novel findings and knowledge transfer. Unlike the attention directed at undergraduate use of these tools, very little work has been done to understand their use by PhD researchers and their supervisors.
Many PhD researchers and those supporting them feel unequipped regarding the responsible and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools, and there is very little guidance from research and higher education institutions. The AI.RDN+ network will respond to these challenges.
From consultation to resources: How will the network work?
The network will carry out a broad consultation process with PhD researchers, supervisors, examiners, and research support staff to understand how artificial intelligence tools are used for innovation and how their challenges can be identified and navigated. Using this information, the network will create:
- A comprehensive resource base: Providing guidance on available artificial intelligence tools, how to use them, and identifying case studies of best practices. This information will be made available on a new web portal.
- Training resources: Training resources will be created for all stakeholders to build skills and knowledge regarding publicly available artificial intelligence tools.
- Co-testing and development: The network will work with 20 universities to jointly test and develop guidelines and training resources to ensure they are practical and effective.
Leadership vision: Building knowledge for ethical and responsible use
Professor Phil Meech, who is leading the project, said: “The network will provide detailed knowledge about the adoption and impact of publicly available artificial intelligence tools across the PhD ecosystem, and will use this to create much-needed information, resources, and professional development and skills opportunities. Our project is a unique opportunity to build knowledge and capture innovation, and use this to build the resources needed for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in PhD research.”
Professor Arunangsu Chatterjee from the University of Leeds added: “By working together across this network, we can build shared resources and methods that ensure the adoption of artificial intelligence in PhD research is innovative, ethical, and delivers real benefit to researchers and society.”
Conclusion: A step towards shaping research practice in the age of artificial intelligence
The AI.RDN+ network represents a significant investment not just in technology, but in the people who will use it to push the boundaries of knowledge. By providing a clear framework and practical resources, this initiative aims to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a powerful tool for responsible innovation in the hands of the next generation of researchers, rather than a source of confusion and ethical risk. It is a proactive step to shape the future of academic research in the age of artificial intelligence.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: What is the Research England Development Fund?
A1: It is a UK government funding fund aimed at supporting projects that enhance research and innovation in English universities.
Q2: Will the network be limited to participating universities only?
A2: No. Although the network is led by two university consortia, it has the potential to shape understanding and practice across the UK higher education sector and beyond, and its resources are likely to be made widely available.
Q3: What are the main risks of using artificial intelligence in PhD research?
A3: Risks include unintentional plagiarism, reliance on potentially inaccurate or “hallucinated” information generated by artificial intelligence, data privacy issues, unequal access to tools, and the erosion of researchers’ critical thinking skills.
Q4: How will this network practically help researchers?
A4: By providing a centralized portal containing guides, case studies, and training resources, the network will help researchers make informed decisions about which tool to use, how to use it effectively and ethically, and how to properly cite its use in their research.
