Kristin Bivens: Understanding student attitudes, concerns, and perspectives concerning generative artificial intelligence at the University of Nevada, Reno
Title
Understanding student attitudes, concerns, and perspectives concerning generative artificial intelligence at the University of Nevada, Reno
Mentor
Department
Biosketch
Kristin Marie Bivens (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of English and the Director of the Core Writing Program at the University of Nevada, Reno. She came to the University in the fall of 2025 from the University of Bern in Switzerland. Before Switzerland, she taught in Chicago and studied in Illinois and Texas, earning a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in English, a master's degree in English language and literature, and a Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric.
As the Director of Core Writing and Associate Professor at the University, she is interested in understanding what students think about generative AI within the framework of April Baker Bell's concept of linguistic justice and philosopher Amanda Fricker's epistemic injustice. Specifically, she wants to understand students’ attitudes, concerns, and perspectives about generative AI.
Her primary field of research is the rhetoric of health and medicine; her secondary field of research involves qualitative research methodologies and research design. Generally, her research examines the circulation of information (writing/communication) between experts and non-experts in critical care contexts, such as sudden cardiac arrest, opioid overdose, and intensive care units, and in clinical research, such as patient and public involvement. Her most recent book, "A History of Rhetoric, Sound, and Health and Healing" (Routledge, 2024), was published open access through generous funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation. Her second book — “Patient and Public Involvement: Implementation and Practice" — is an edited collection and currently in production with CRC Press.
Her favorite food are tamales.
Project overview
The Pack Research Experience Program (PREP) student will gain qualitative research experience both behind the scenes and in the field. The student will work with Bivens and the SIERRA Project research team reporting the results of their pilot survey asking University of Nevada, Reno students about their attitudes, concerns, and perceptions about generative AI, and refining the pilot survey for fall 2027.
During the spring 2027 semester, the student will assist performing a literature search on generative AI in the field of writing studies, prepare a co-written draft of the literature search for a scholarly publication, and work with Bivens and the SIERRA Project research team to preparing the pilot survey for its fall 2027 launch. The student will complete Institutional Review Board training and collaborate with Bivens, Ph.D. students, and members of the Core Writing administration team.
Student Training Opportunities
- Analyze data in aggregate and interpret results
- Modify a survey and implement strategies to sidestep survey sabotage
- Work, collaborate, and write with a research group
- Publish an article based on pilot results and methodology
- Receive training through Collaborative Institutional Research Training or CITI
Required Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include:
- Credit for ENG 101 and ENG 102 or their equivalents
- Familiarity with library databases for completing the literature search
- Ability to work and write independently and collaboratively
Maximum hours per week
The PREP student will be expected to work on the project for a maximum of 10 hours per week.
Pack Research Experience Program information and application