Generative AI in Social Service Organisations

Generative AI provides new opportunities for social service organizations in internal operations and in providing service delivery. While there are considerable risks, through collaborative co-designing and deploying such tools in an ethical, responsible and safe manner, generative AI tools can support human professionals and service users for enhanced greater wellbeing outcomes.

Working in a multi-disciplinary research team, this project involves working with a social service organization (to be determined with the candidate and advisors) to identify, co-design and pilot generative AI tools.

You will require a demonstrated interest in connecting technology with social science. 

This PhD project is funded by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society, and is part of the Critical Capabilities in Inclusive AI research program (https://www.admscentre.org.au/critical-capabilities-for-inclusive-ai). 

You will be a member of the Centre and will benefit from accessing its national training program and leading researchers from multiple disciplines across 9 Australian universities. Travel support and additional project funding is provided. You will be supervised by another member of the Centre, for example Professor Anthony McCosker (Swinburne University).

The UQ Node of the Centre is led by Professor Henman and is located within a wider network of digital social science and humanities researchers. The candidate will also benefit from being part of a thriving digital design and AI research community in computer science through A/Prof Viller.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of disciplinary training in HCI, digital design, computer science, or Science Technology and Society would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement and practical experience with deploying generative AI and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of generative AI; the social aspects of technology; or social service organizations is highly beneficial. Demonstrated interest in equity, fairness is highly desirable.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Professor Paul Henman (p.henman@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 8 November, 2024 25 December, 2030.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
• ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter GENERATIVEAI-HENMAN.

Apply now