Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on Research in Education
Year: 2025
DOI:
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The Future of Academic Ethics: Faculty Perceptions and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Integrity Standards
Maigi Lepik, Kateriina Rannula, Liina Männiksaar
ABSTRACT:
Academic integrity is a cornerstone of higher education, shaping both student learning and faculty responsibilities. The shift to online learning has enhanced the need for ethical teaching practices, yet rapid technological advancements and AI-driven tools have introduced new challenges. Faculty play a key role in fostering academic ethics, but they often lack structured training to address emerging dilemmas effectively.
This study, part of Tallinn Health Care College’s applied research project, “Academic Ethics as Lecturer’s Toolkit in Teaching Process – Adapting to the Changing Environment,” explores how faculty perceive and convey academic ethics in distance learning. Using a qualitative research design, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were analysed through inductive thematic analysis to uncover key themes.
Findings reveal that faculty primarily view academic ethics as preventing plagiarism and cheating, but also emphasise ethical communication, peer support, and the necessity of clear guidelines. The study highlights a growing gap between faculty awareness and the practical application of academic ethics in digital education.
Teaching academic integrity in the AI era requires enhanced digital literacy, policy development, and institutional support. Structured ethical education, experience-sharing, and targeted training are essential for adapting to these challenges. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on academic ethics, emphasizing the need for evolving strategies to uphold integrity in modern education.
keywords: academic integrity, ethical communication, faculty training, plagiarism prevention, institutional support