UROP Project
***The AI Diary ABCs: Active Use, Beliefs, and Casual Encounters
youth, artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, technology, teenagers
Research Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors; may be of particular interest to communications, psychology, social sciences
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors; may be of particular interest to communications, psychology, social sciences
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Project Description
What roles does Generative AI play in the lives of young adults? This study explores how young adults students engage with and make sense of generative AI technologies in their everyday online lives. Using a combination of interviews and media diary portfolios, we examine how they interact with tools like ChatGPT, image generators, and other AI-powered platforms. We're particularly interested in their perceptions of how these tools work, their ethical beliefs, the role of algorithms in shaping their experiences, their perceptions of AI-generated content they encounter, and the meanings they construct from that AI-generated content. The goal is to understand youth perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of generative AI in informal digital contexts.Research Tasks: Data collection and processing, including interviews. Data coding and analysis (qualitative data). Literature review.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
We will train you on all research-specific skills.
Students need to complete CITI training (“FSU Faculty, Staff, and Students” Social/Behavioral) before beginning any work.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.
I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Several have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)
Additional Information
Work on this project is, by default, remote, but there is the opportunity to have in-person meetings for people who prefer that type of interaction.Typically we schedule meetings every 1-2 weeks, and between meetings everyone has tasks that they work on. During meetings we share the outcomes of our prior tasks, learn new skills, and determine next tasks. Between meetings we typically communicate via email, GroupMe, and MS Teams.