Generative AI for Academics

Dr Mark Carrigan FRSA FHEA is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Manchester where he is co-lead of the Digital Education Manchester group. Trained as a philosopher and sociologist, his research aims to bridge fundamental questions of social ontology with practical and policy interventions to support the effective use of emerging technologies within education. He has written or edited nine books, including Social Media for Academics, published by Sage and now in its second edition.

Carrigan outlines ways for academics to use LLMs in their work – including, but not limited to, their writing. I especially appreciate Carrigan’s argument that the way to go is to find ways to think with LLMs rather than using LLMs as a substitute for thought. (...) Among the uses for LLMs Carrigan explores are "rubberducking" (explaining your ideas to an LLM to test and polish your ability to explain them, just as you might talk your ideas out to a friend, or your cat, or a rubber duck); If you’re currently anti-LLM, challenge yourself by reading Carrigan.

• Chapter 1 Generative AI and UniversitiesChapter 2 Generative AI and ReflexivityChapter 3 The Ethics of Generative AIChapter 4 ThinkingChapter 5 CollaboratingChapter 6 CommunicationChapter 7 EngagementChapter 8 Academic Futures