The College of Arts and Sciences is delighted to invite faculty, staff, and students from across campus to join us for the AI Symposium on Research and Teaching Across the Humanities and Social Sciences, scheduled on October, 29 from 9.00 am – 2.30 pm in the University Center Conference Room 315. The symposium will bring together faculty from across the humanities and social sciences to share their AI-related research, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
The symposium will feature three panels highlighting AI initiatives and research across the College of Arts and Sciences. The first panel, scheduled from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., will offer a cross-disciplinary conversation about the new AI Certificate being developed by the College of Arts and Sciences.
The second panel, from 10:10 to 11:45 a.m., will showcase faculty research projects, with presentations by Zachary Simoni, Chandra Ward, Andrew J. Van Slyke, Marcus D. Mauldin, and Nagwan R. Zahry.
The third panel, from 1:35 to 2:20 p.m., will feature additional faculty research on AI, with presentations by Chris Vidmar, Rowan Johnson, Brandon Bouchillon, and Jeremy Strickler.
A highlight of the symposium will be a guest session with Professor Hunter Heyck, Director of the Center for Creativity and Authenticity in AI Cultural Production at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Heyck will discuss building interdisciplinary research teams and exploring opportunities for external funding across the humanities and social sciences.
The full symposium agenda is included below.
Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to attend and join the conversation on how AI is transforming the landscape of research and scholarship. Please use this link to register in advance for the in-person panels.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/hZsXn1gkCT
AI Symposium on Research and Teaching Across the Humanities and Social Sciences
Thursday, October 29, 2026
9.30 am – 2.30 pm
University Center – Room 315
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Time |
Session |
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9:00–9:05 a.m. |
Welcome & Opening Remarks Dean Pam Riggs-Gelasco – College of Arts and Sciences |
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9:05–9:10 a.m. |
Symposium Overview Nagwan R. Zahry – Symposium Chair |
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9:10–9:30 a.m. |
Who’s in the Room? Meet & Connect |
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9:30–10.00 a.m. |
The New AI Certificate: Overview and Faculty Perspectives Moderated by Lucy Schultz
Lucy Schultz – Assistant Professor of Philosophy Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Ahmet Kule – Associate Professor Department of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies
Feng Guo – Assistant Professor Department of Psychology
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10:00 –10:10 a.m. |
Coffee Break
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Time |
Session
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10:10 – 11.45 a.m. |
Faculty Research Showcase I – Research Panel & Discussion Interdisciplinary Perspectives on AI: Research and Society Moderated by: Chandra Ward
AI-Mediated Impression Management on College Campuses Zackary Simoni – Associate Professor Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Geography
Perceptions of Passenger Safety of Human-Operated Rideshare and Robotaxis among Women and Queer-Identified People Chandra Ward – Associate Professor Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Geography
Using AI-HTR to Develop a Maritime Historical Research Collection of the Revolutionary War in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico (1778–1783) Andrew J. Van Slyke – Underwater Archaeologist/Visiting Lecturer Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Geography
Using Artificial Intelligence to Teach Public Administration and Policy Marcus D. Mauldin – Professor Department of Political Science & Public Service
Leveraging AI in Crisis Communication Nagwan R. Zahry – Associate Professor Department of Communication |
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11:45 a.m. –12:30 p.m. |
Lunch Provided |
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12:30–1:30 p.m. |
Virtual Guest Speaker Session Building Collaborative Teams for AI Research & External Funding
Speaker: Hunter Heyck, PhD Professor Director of the Center for Creativity and Authenticity in AI Cultural Production University of Oklahoma
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Time |
Session
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1:35–2:20 p.m. |
Faculty Research Showcase II – Lightning Talks: AI Research Across Disciplines Moderated by Nagwan R. Zahry
Men’s Intimate Engagement with AI Companions Chris Vidmar – Assistant Professor Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Geography
Student Attitudes Toward Using AI in Professional Writing Assignments Rowan Johnson – Senior Lecturer Department of English
The Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Implications of Artificial Intelligence Brandon Bouchillon – Associate Professor Department of Communication
The American Presidency and the Politics of AI Development Jeremy Strickler – Associate Professor Department of Political Science & Public Service |
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2:20–2:30 p.m. |
Closing Remarks |