human (de)centred AIBegin reflecting
An invitation to think together · Doctoral research

Before we ask
what AI can do,
ask what matters.

A more human way for PhD researchers and supervisors to explore AI, make thoughtful choices, and protect the things research is really for.

Inspired by Janine Arantes's Human (de)Centred AI in Doctoral Research (2026).

01 / A small film-like reflection

Take a moment.
This begins with a question.

A paced, captioned visual prologue you can play, pause or read at your own speed. No synthetic voice required.

01 / 05
Imagine a researcher, facing a difficult choice.
A deadline is close. A new AI tool promises to help.
02 / Change the lens

Not one question.
Nine ways of seeing.

The framework moves the conversation beyond permission and productivity. Open each lens to hear the questions hiding beneath the surface.

LENS 01 · PRACTICE

With. Without.
About AI.

Where does assistance help? What should remain human-led? When is AI itself something to examine?

Ask each other: What would we gain by using AI here? What might we lose by not doing the work ourselves? Is a lower-risk or non-AI path viable?
LENS 02 · RELATIONSHIPS

Self. Others.
Environment.

Look at the developing researcher, people affected by the work, and infrastructures, resources and Country.

Ask each other: Whose voice is missing? Who bears the risk? Does the student grow in judgement? What responsibilities to community, place and Country apply?
LENS 03 · RESPONSIBILITY

Best practice.
Policy. Legislation.

Separate what is methodologically defensible from what is permitted and what requires formal authority.

Ask each other: What independent evidence will we trust? Which current rules apply? Who can actually authorise this decision?
03 / Sit down together

A conversation, not an interrogation.

Six gentle steps adapted from the workbook's decision record. Do this with a supervisor, a colleague, or on your own. Your notes stay in this browser; nothing is submitted to a server.

01 / 06 · Plan

What are you trying to do — and why?

Start with the research intention, not the tool. There is no perfect answer.

Saved in this browser
04 / Step into someone else's shoes

Real dilemmas.
No easy answers.

Choose a situation from the workbook and explore a defensible next step. These are illustrative scenarios, not approvals.

Story A

“Can AI find the literature for me?”

A doctoral candidate hopes AI can speed up a scoping review. But suggested citations can be invented or incomplete.

Story B

“The interviews are de-identified…”

A candidate wants a commercial model to suggest themes from participant interviews. Is removing names enough?

Story C

“Is support the same as dependence?”

A candidate relies on approved AI reading assistance; a supervisor worries about intellectual independence.

05 / Carry the conversation forward

Your living decision notes.

As you work through the conversation, your thinking appears here. Copy or print it for a real supervisory discussion. It is a reflection record, not an ethics or institutional approval.

Please don't enter identifiable participant data, confidential material, or restricted knowledge here. Browser-local notes can still be visible to others with access to your device.