Online Conference - BCS INSPIRE XXIX International (& e-Learning AGM)

The 29th Annual INSPIRE Conference, will be an e-conference, to encourage entries from UK and overseas, from academics, researchers, post-graduate students and those from industry, again with no conference fee for authors or attendees. This is organised by the BCS e-learning Specialist Group, in association with the CPG of the Institute of Physics.

A 1 or 2 page abstract (max of 6 references), with a brief bio, to be submitted in advance, reviewed by at 3 reviewers, also for both traditional INSPIRE papers and also Case Studies papers from academia and from Industry.

Please send the Abstracts and papers with mini bios asap, to Margaret.ross@bcs.org.uk with BCS INSPIRE 2024 in the subject line.

The Keynote Systems Engineering for Sustainability will be presented by By Emeritus Professor Cecilia Haskins Engineers are important contributors to value creation in today’s’ society. Undesirable social impacts such as environmental degradation and exploitation of workers have been traditionally addressed by legislation and regulations. These responses create a dilemma in defining the role of engineers to sustainable development as outlined in the UN SDG.

The question becomes how to educate engineers to cope with the uncertainty of wicked problems associated with sustainability that preempt unsustainable industrial behaviors? A recent research project addressed the knowledge gap by defining practices and training programs that assist the business transition to sustainability drawing on industrial ecology and demonstrated with cases of successful transitions.

An unanticipated outcome of the recent planetary pandemic is the emergence of improved products that facilitate distance learning within both the institutions of higher education and industry.

The Keynote Navigating Academic Integrity in the Age of AI: Challenges and Strategies for STEM Education presented by Professor Stylianos Hatzipanagos. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a marked increase in academic offenses within higher education, with STEM disciplines being notably impacted (Pauli, Iosad & Attewell, 2020). This issue has been further exacerbated by the rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, which have introduced complex challenges to maintaining academic integrity. The accessibility and sophistication of these AI tools have sparked diverse perceptions among students and staff, ranging from viewing AI as a valuable resource to seeing it as a threat to fair assessment and value of higher education qualifications.

Academic integrity hinges on core values such as honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage, while academic misconduct represents actions that deviate from these principles (QAA, 2020). Recent studies highlight the need for a nuanced approach that addresses the dual challenges of AI's role and the design of secure assessments.

This keynote presentation will delve into the increasing prevalence of academic misconduct, with a special focus on how AI is perceived and used by both students and staff. It will explore practices such as plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, and impersonation, examining how AI tools are influencing these behaviours. Additionally, the presentation will discuss strategies for developing AI-resilient assessment methods and policies and fostering a culture of academic integrity that effectively integrates AI's potential while mitigating its risks.

About the Speakers

Emeritus Professor Cecilia Haskins Cecilia is recently retired and continues in emeritus status with both the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Southeastern Norway (USN). Her career included over 30 years as a practicing systems engineer and over 20 years educating the next generation of engineers on the importance of using systems approaches for problem-solving. Her educational background includes degrees in chemistry, business, and eventually a PhD from NTNU for the application of systems engineering to sustainable development.

Professor Stylianos Hatzipanagos Prof. Stylianos Hatzipanagos is a Fellow and the Executive Lead for Research and Scholarship at the Centre for Online and Distance Education at the University of London. He specializes in e-learning, open and distance education, research-driven innovation in academic practices, and the management of doctoral and postgraduate education. Stylianos has held leadership roles in both research-intensive and modern universities, with a focus on hybrid and distance learning environments. His research and scholarship encompass a wide range of areas including innovation in learning and teaching, applications of artificial intelligence in education, formative assessment in higher education, online assessment methodologies, learning design, usability, and the evaluation of e-learning environments and microworlds. He is also experienced in computer-mediated communication, computer-supported collaborative work, and the role of social software and networking in educational contexts. Stylianos has published extensively, with his work appearing in peer-reviewed journals, books, and edited special issues. He has led and participated in numerous international and UK-based research projects, including EU initiatives focused on digital competencies, social inclusion, lifelong learning, and e-learning professional training.