Understanding PhD Students Engagement With Generative AI Tools, 2025

An online questionnaire was developed using Qualtrics which consisted of 18 closed- and open-ended questions, covering basic details (discipline, year of study, funding), current genAI practices, training needs, discussion with supervisors and the role of institutions. The survey was anonymous, except for those who consented to be recontacted who gave their names and email addresses. The survey opened in late May 2025, was promoted on the SGSSS weekly newsletter, cascaded around Scottish institutions by contacts in the SGSSS Deans network. In June we received an ethical amendment approval to circulate the survey
around social science students in the rest of the UK; thereafter it was promoted by training leads at other ESRC funded DTPs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Student responses were received between May-November 2025.