Navigating the AI Landscape | 09:30 Tuesday 10th December (Online)

Rupert Lorraine explains how December’s hands-on AI workshop will help research managers and administrators harness new technologies to make their roles easier and more rewarding. 

The AI Imperative in Research Management 

Universities can’t afford to maintain the status quo in research management and administration. Not because AI is coming – it’s already here, transforming how forward-thinking institutions and individuals operate. The real question isn’t whether to engage with AI, but how quickly we can harness it to address the mounting pressures on our teams. Those who’ve made the leap are rediscovering what made them passionate about research management in the first place. 

The Tipping Point 

Let’s be honest: the pace of change in research management and administration has become relentless. In a sector facing unprecedented financial pressures and increased competition for funding, the demands are ramping up while teams are being asked to deliver more with less. The workload intensifies, challenges grow more complex, and introducing new technology might seem like the last thing anyone needs right now. Yet this moment of pressure could be precisely where transformation becomes possible. 

Beyond the Hype 

While accelerationists and doomers in the tech world debate the philosophical and existential implications of Artificial General Intelligence, there’s a quiet revolution happening in the day-to-day operations of forward-thinking universities. The truth that’s emerging is both challenging and exciting: AI won’t replace you, but in the future, someone using AI will do your job. To harness this shift, we need to lean in; approaching AI from a position of curiosity, not fear. These systems can be an intelligent collaborator that augments our expertise. 

Think about instantly processing hundreds of workshop Post-it notes into structured, actionable insights, transforming bureaucratic policies into clear, accessible guides, embedding world-class principles for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and accessibility within our plans, or adapting proven methodologies to new contexts. AI can accomplish 80% of these complex tasks in minutes rather than hours. Using these tools, our roles are evolving away from pure content creators into curators of information – applying our critical thinking and professional judgement to refine and perfect rather than starting from scratch.  

A Glimpse into the Future 

Success with AI doesn’t start with technology – it starts with you. The most effective practitioners begin by recognising their existing strengths and expertise, then use AI to amplify these capabilities. In the hands of skilled operators who understand their domain, these systems can unlock almost superhuman levels of productivity and open up new creative pathways and potentials. But like any powerful tool, the output quality directly reflects the skill of the user – get the approach wrong, and you’ll simply generate sophisticated-looking nonsense at high speed. 

This December’s session is about building that practical capability and confidence. Through live demonstrations and hands-on examples, we’ll explore how to break ground on complex tasks, develop your prompt engineering skills, and learn the art of constructive iteration. We’ll show you that it’s not so much the specific AI system you’re using that matters – it’s the approach and mindset. Whether you’re wrestling with research strategy documents, enhancing team communications, or streamlining administrative processes, you’ll discover how to harness AI as a powerful lever to enhance your existing expertise. 

Intelligence Meets Integrity 

Yes, we need to talk about responsible AI use – but not in a way that paralyses us with endless what-ifs. The key is developing good judgement about when and how to use these tools, understanding their limitations and maintaining appropriate safeguards. Just as we naturally consider privacy when handling sensitive information, or accuracy when presenting data, working ethically with AI becomes second nature. Much like academic integrity is simply part of good research practice, ethical AI use becomes a natural extension of effective research management.

Moving Forward 

In higher education, progress has always come from people who look beyond challenges to see possibilities. If you’re curious about what AI could mean for your role, join us online on December 10th (09:30-12:00) as we explore the opportunities together. 

The session will be delivered by Rupert Lorraine, drawing on extensive experience in AI implementation within higher education contexts.