Session 2: Sam McIlroy, University of Oxford – Academic Writing with AI: A Practical Introduction for Researchers

Abstract

Academic Writing with AI: A Practical Introduction for Researchers   

This interactive session explores ethical and practical dimensions of using AI tools to support academic research writing. It looks at ways to integrate AI responsibly at different stages of the research writing process, from planning and drafting to refining and revising. Participants will consider how AI can enhance clarity and structure, and how researchers can maintain their own authorship and voice while aligning with the University’s academic integrity guidance. Drawing on examples from the Academic Writing with AI course, the session considers how to ensure ethical and effective AI use in research communication. Attendees will leave with practical suggestions to engage with AI as a constructive partner in the writing process, improving efficiency, precision, and reflective practice. 

Sam McIlroy Bio

Sam McIlroy is Director of the Centre for Academic Communication in English, specialising in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and academic literacies. He holds degrees from Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Sam has taught in Spain, Turkey, China, Kazakhstan, and Colombia, and previously worked at UCL, Nottingham, and Oxford. His work focuses on academic writing, curriculum design, and transnational collaboration, including partnerships with the Open University of China and Wuhan University. His research interests include genre pedagogy, task-based language teaching, and discourse analysis.