AI tools are reshaping doctoral research faster than supervision can adapt
Doctoral researchers are using AI to accelerate literature reviews, data analysis and writing. Supervisors are adapting. The funding model that supports doctoral study has not kept pace.
By Wistl Editorial · · Higher Ed
UK doctoral researchers are integrating AI tools into their workflows in ways that are changing the pace and nature of the research process. Literature reviews that would have taken weeks can now be completed in days. Large qualitative datasets can be coded and thematically analysed with AI assistance. Statistical analysis pipelines can be built faster and with less specialist programming knowledge. These are genuine productivity gains for researchers under time pressure. The funding model for doctoral study has not kept pace with the cost of living or the expectations now placed on PhD progra