Cafe 3: AI as a Research Partner 20260805

Dr. Amir Teymourian from the BBA program led the conversation to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in academic research, including how AI can support idea development, literature reviews, research design, data analysis, writing, and collaboration. The discussion also emphasized the importance of preserving scholarly judgment, methodological rigor, ethical awareness, transparency, and academic integrity when using AI-supported tools.

Discussion Questions:
1. How are faculty currently using, or considering using, AI tools in their research process?
2. In what ways can AI support research productivity, creativity, collaboration, and scholarly output?
3. What risks or limitations should researchers consider when using AI in academic work?
4. How can researchers preserve their own scholarly judgment while using AI as a supportive tool?
5. What institutional guidance, resources, or shared practices would help faculty use AI responsibly in research?

Dr. Amir Teymourian is a faculty member in the Business Administration program at Yorkville University. With over two decades of experience spanning higher education, consulting, and industry leadership, he bridges academic research with real-world organizational challenges. His research focuses on the strategic application of AI in business and public sector contexts, exploring intelligent decision systems, digital transformation, sustainability, responsible AI, and organizational innovation, particularly how emerging technologies can boost performance while addressing governance, ethics, and societal impact. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences on AI, sustainable leadership, predictive analytics, and strategic transformation.

Recording

Matthew Dunleavy wearing a pink and purple polka-dot shirt under a grey blazer with red-framed glasses and a long reddish-brown beard smiling into the camera
Matthew Dunleavy

Senior Educational Developer, Faculty Excellence and Development

Matthew Dunleavy (he/him) is an educational developer and scholarly teacher with over 9+ years’ experience. He immediately joins our CTEI from York University where he was an Educational Developer with the Teaching Commons; before entering that role, he served as the Program Director of the Online Learning and Technology Consultants (OLTC) Program at the Maple League of Universities (Acadia University; Bishop’s University; Mount Allison University; and St. Francis Xavier University). In 2022, he was awarded the D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) for this work.