Research Project

CAREER: Minds and Machines: Exploring Engineering Faculty Member Mental Models of Generative AI and Instructional Decisions

Investigating faculty mental models of generative AI in engineering education

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National Science Foundation CAREER Award$592,0002024-2028Active StudyOpen for Students

Research Question

How do engineering faculty understand generative AI, and how do those mental models shape instructional decisions?

Approach

  • Interview engineering faculty about how they conceptualize generative AI tools and classroom use cases
  • Model how beliefs about AI capabilities, risks, and responsibility connect to instructional choices
  • Translate findings into practical guidance for responsible AI integration in engineering education

Evidence and Outputs

GrantAvailable

NSF CAREER award

Five-year National Science Foundation CAREER project supporting research on faculty mental models of generative AI and instructional decision-making.

InstrumentRestricted

Faculty interview protocol

Semi-structured interview materials for eliciting faculty mental models, perceived risks, and instructional decision patterns.

Student OpportunityAvailable

Undergraduate research assistant pathway

Paid undergraduate role supporting interview preparation, transcription review, qualitative coding, and literature synthesis.

Research Artifacts

ProtocolIn progress

Mental model coding framework

Emerging analysis framework for connecting faculty beliefs about AI to instructional decisions and classroom policy choices.

People

  • PI: Dr. Andrew Katz
  • Graduate Research Assistants: Benjamin Chaback, Mitch Gerhardt