Identifying Barriers and Use Cases for Generative AI in Education Using Retrieval-Augmented Generation and Staff Survey
Identifying Barriers and Use Cases for Generative AI in Education Using Retrieval-Augmented Generation and Staff Surveys
Lead: Jianhua Yang
Team: Youn Affejee (co-lead), Tanya Carey (co-lead), Zhiqiong Chen (co-lead), Tomoka Fujita (co-lead), Robert Liu-Preece, Salimeh Pour Mohammad, Kerem Öge (co-lead), Chidi Okorro, Sam Petrie, Vivek Venkatram (co-lead), Adrian von Muhlenen (co-lead), Hoang Pham, Abdullah Bilal Akbulut, Vrushali Kamble, Saksham Midha
Summary
Rapid advancements in Generative AI (GenAI) technologies have led to successful applications in higher education. However, at Warwick, despite excellent work done in different departments, the use cases and particularly barriers to their effective use are not fully understood. This project aims to bridge this gap by combining Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) analysis of existing GenAI-related educational literature and policy with a Warwick-specific staff survey. Leveraging state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), we will investigate current GenAI utilisation and identify barriers here at Warwick. Expected outcomes include innovative and inclusive educational practices, enhanced student experiences, policy refinement, and training opportunities.
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Team Bios
Jianhua Yang
Lead
Dr. Jianhua Yang is an Associate Professor (Reader) at WMG. He earned his PhD in 2010, focusing on intelligent data mining through artificial neural networks and evolutionary computing. His teaching interests centre on fundamental digital technologies, while his research explores deriving insights from large-scale datasets.
Youn Affejee
Co-lead
Youn is a final year PhD Student at WMG. His research is on impact evaluation of STEM outreach programmes. He is also interested in technology enhanced learning including the use of VR headsets in classrooms and informal spaces.
Tanya Carey
Co-lead
Tanya is a Teaching and Learning Manager within WMG, working in the Academic Services team. She is responsible for managing the course and module reviews and works on various teaching-related projects aiming to enhance the quality of assessment and curriculum delivery. Tanya also leads on safeguarding within the department.
Zhiqiong Chen
Co-lead
Zhiqiong Chen is an Assistant Professor at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Whilst focussing on teaching, she is interested in language teaching methodology, blended learning and student engagement. She has also been an AL and consultant at the Open University and serves as an Assessment Specialist for Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin.
Tomoko Fujita
Co-lead
Tomoko Fujita is a Teaching Fellow at the Language Centre, School of Modern Languages and Cultures. She joined the Language Centre in 2014 after teaching English in Japan and completing her MA in English Language Teaching at the University of Warwick. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Robert Liu-Preece
Academic Technologist
I am the Academic Technologist in the departments of Politics and International Studies, Philosophy and Sociology at The University of Warwick. That role involves championing the impactful and appropriate use of digital technology for Teaching, Learning and Assessment and so I have a keen interest in investigating, interrogating and implementing AI for the benefit of students.
Salimeh Pour Mohammad
Associate Professor
Dr Salimeh Pour Mohammad is an Associate Professor of Business Analytics (Teaching Focused) with special interests in Social Network Analytics as well as Education Policy and AI. She also serves wider academia as an Assessor of the National Teaching Fellow Scheme of Advance HE.
Kerem Oge
Co-lead
Kerem Oge is an Assistant Professor in Politics and International Studies. He has held positions at King's College London, Aston University, and Nottingham. His research and teaching focuses on energy policy, climate politics and AI governance. He is also interested in using AI to enhance teaching and learning in higher education.
Chidi Okorro
Data and Systems Analyst
Chidi is a Data and Systems Analyst working with the Academic Administration team in WMG where he collaborates with colleagues to automate processes, streamline data-systems, and design dashboards for decision-making. He has master's in information technology and computer science and programs in Java and Python. He is interested in AI/ML development, research, and use cases.
Sam Petrie
Generative AI Research Intern
Sam is a Generative AI Research Intern based in the Departments of Statistics and Mathematics and the Deep Tech Innovation Centre. Her research examines how students use generative AI, the robustness of current teaching and assessment practices, and how to maintain academic integrity. She also works to connect policy, pedagogy, and research across Warwick's AI initiatives.
Vivek Venkatram
Co-lead
Vivek is a final-year Philosophy, Politics, and Economics undergraduate & WIHEA Fellow at the University of Warwick for the past two years. He is currently a UNESCO Youth Representative, member of the 2025 ProVeg Youth Board, and Youth Fellow at the International Youth Think Tank. Across his three years at Warwick, he has worked part-time at WIHEA co-creating an interdisciplinary module on food systems, improving the interactivity of virtual learning environments, and as a Student Co-Lead for the ongoing GenAI in Education project. Vivek's work has been featured on the BBC, Agencia EFE, and the Straits Times. In his free time, he discusses current affairs, is an avid fusion percussionist and a hiking enthusiast.
Adrian von Muhlenen
Co-lead
I am a Reader in the Psychology Department. My research areas include perception, attention, memory and emotion. In addition, I am interested in how humans interact with digital technology (Cyberpsychology) and in how individuals differ in terms of cognitive processing.
Hoang Pham
PhD Student
My name is Hoang Pham. I'm a first-year PhD student in Computer Science at the University of Warwick. My research focus is on improving the efficiency of large model training/deployment.
Abdullah Bilal Akbulut
PhD Student
Abdullah Bilal Akbulut gained his dual BSc degrees in Management and Psychology from Istanbul, Türkiye, and his MSc degree in Marketing and Strategy from Warwick Business School. Currently pursuing a PhD in Management at the University of Birmingham. He is keen on reading, reflecting on, and conducting research in the areas of entrepreneurship, psychology, education, and technological innovations.
Vrushali Kamble
Delivery Support Officer
Vrushali Kamble is a Delivery Support Officer at Information and Digital Group (IDG) contributing to the University of Warwick's AI Centre of Excellence. She gained her MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation from the Warwick Business School and B.E. Computer Science from Pune University. She brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic insight to the delivery of innovative, organisation-wide AI initiatives.
Saksham Midha
Research Project Co-ordinator
Saksham Midha is a Research Project Co-ordinator for the Digital Health and Rights Project at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, University of Warwick. He holds an MBA, Artificial Intelligence from Coventry University. With a background in project management, stakeholder engagement, and digital systems, Saksham brings both strategic vision and technical expertise to his work. He is proficient in prompt engineering, leveraging large language models to optimise workflows, enhance communication, and drive innovation across academic and business settings.