The SCOPE project, a key initiative under the new research agreement signed by RPTU and the Ministry for Science and Health, focuses on how societal communication evolves during long-term crises such as the climate crisis and migration. The project, led by Prof. Dr. Michaela Maier and Prof. Dr. Paul Lukowicz, brings together experts from various fields to develop innovative methods to study and address these critical issues. As part of this effort, a retreat was held on June 6-7, 2024, to delve into the use of (Generative) AI to enhance social science research.
Over the two-day retreat, participants engaged in a series of insightful talks and discussions. The retreat kicked off with Prof. Paul Lukowicz debunking myths about large language models (LWMs), followed by Fiona Drexler's session on qualitative analysis using AI. Passant Elagroudy provided resources for conducting AI-based research, and Razia Aliani shared techniques for using AI tools in quantitative analysis, literature reviews, and the paper writing cycle. Hugo Alves's talk on creating synthetic users rounded off the presentations, offering innovative approaches to simulate user behavior in research.
The retreat also featured hands-on group activities designed to put theory into practice. Participants were tasked with rewriting existing papers using new AI tools, redesigning upcoming projects with AI tutorials, and reflecting on the advantages and limitations of these methods. These interactive sessions allowed attendees to directly apply the knowledge gained from the talks, fostering a deeper understanding of how AI can streamline and enhance the research process.
Looking ahead, SCOPE plans to host additional workshops to further explore AI's applications in social science research. Future sessions will continue to build on the foundation laid during this retreat, with a focus on developing practical skills and collaborative research strategies. The team aims to establish a robust framework for integrating AI into social science, ultimately contributing to more efficient and impactful research outcomes.
The SCOPE project remains committed to advancing expertise in Computational Social Sciences, strengthening the RPTU's profile, and providing valuable insights into communication in times of crisis.