Generative AI: Graduate + Research Supervision
Generative AI and large language models (LLMs) are changing the way researchers and students navigate the academic landscape. To stay current as mentors, supervisors of graduate students require ongoing professional development.
To support supervisors of graduate students and foster a community of faculty members and staff committed to high-quality supervision and mentorship, GPS has created and curated relevant resources to be explored.
Familiarize Yourself With The University Of Alberta + National Guidelines
In response to the rapid adoption of generative AI tools, the University of Alberta and other Canadian universities came together to develop principles to help administrators (including coordinators, associate chairs, and deans) and faculty members provide supervisory guidance to their graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
This document helps both students and supervisors by answering questions such as- Can I use generative AI tools for writing and editing my candidacy proposals, qualifying exams, comprehensive exams, thesis, and scholarly publications?
- Can I use generative AI tools for my research, including literature review, data analysis, or simulation?
- How do I formally acknowledge if I use any generative AI tools in my research and writing?
- Is the output of generative AI applications reliable, accurate, and trustworthy?
Western Canadian Deans of Graduate Studies: Generative AI and Graduate + Postdoctoral Research and Supervision
Nov. 24, 2023
The report discusses the possibilities and challenges of the use of generative AI in graduate thesis, postdoctoral research and writing including applications for admission and scholarships. It provides a set of recommended practices on responsible and ethical uses of generative AI for associate deans and deans of graduate studies as well as for advising and supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Workshops and Training
AI as Your Grant Writing Partner: Ethical and Effective Approaches
May 26, 2026
Explore how AI tools can support grant proposal development while aligning with institutional and federal guidelines. Learn best practices for prompt design, discover resources from the Research Office and see practical applications using tools such as Gemini Gems and NotebookLM to enhance your grant writing workflow.
This workshop is jointly hosted by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), the Research Development Services Portfolio in the Office of the Vice-President (Research), and the U of A Library.
Beyond Search: AI-Powered Literature Review in the Age of Deep Research
April 4, 2025
Explore how AI can support and enhance the literature review process. Learn practical approaches for discovering, organizing and synthesizing research, and see demonstrations of tools such as Elicit and NotebookLM. A summary generated with ChatGPT and slides are also available.
This session was jointly hosted by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and the U of A Library.
Using Generative AI in Research
Nov. 13, 2024
Explore how generative AI can be integrated throughout the research lifecycle. Learn how researchers, supervisors and students can work together to evaluate and leverage emerging AI tools. A summary generated with ChatGPT and slides are also available.
This session was jointly hosted by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and the U of A Library.
Graduate Supervision and Generative AI
June 22, 2023
Explore the opportunities and challenges generative AI presents for graduate education and supervision. This facilitated discussion examined AI literacy and educational development for faculty and graduate students, ethics, equity and bias, and the future of graduate-level assessment in an AI-enabled environment.
This session was jointly hosted by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and the Office of the Provost.
Campus Resources
- Using Artificial Intelligence at the U of A
This site links to resources for the ethical use of AI and more in learning, teaching, research, and administration on campus. - Teaching and Learning in the Context of AI
This resource by the Centre for Teaching and Learning gives instructors guidance on addressing AI in your teaching. - U of A Libraries - Using Generative AI
This site provides links to general applications of AI, how to use tools, ethics and evaluation. - Recording from the Oct 2023 Chat GPT 101
Resources
OpenAI. (2025). DALL·E 3 [Image Generator].
Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://chat.openai.com
Shiri, A. (2026, June 11). "Canada’s AI strategy and universities: Beyond literacy, students need to be fluent with AI." The Conversation.
Shiri, A. (2025, July 21). "AI in universities: How large language models are transforming research." The Conversation.
Shiri, A. (2025, March 27). "Deep research: A research paradigm shift." Information Matters, 5(3). Based on this article, you can also listen to the podcast created using Google NotebookLM: Deep Research - LLM's and the Paradigm Shift in Research