This summer was mostly about celebrating several milestones in the kiddo’s life: end of school celebration, leavers’ ball, 18th birthday, A-level results’ day, driving test…
But I also enjoyed catching up with friends, reading various fiction and non-fiction books, and swimming lots and lots and lots.
Research
We finished analysing the first stage of data collection at one of the companies we are working with, for the project on AI agents, and presented the findings to them. We also discussed the next steps on this collaboration.
I joined a grant application about adoption of AI in SMEs and joined discussions for a project on mindful use of AI.
Finally, I was interviewed for the podcast “Business Talk”.
Writing
Two team members of the AI agents’ project attended a paper development workshop. It looks like the editors really liked the idea, which was encouraging. However, they expect us to collect a lot of additional data, which put a spanner in the works, as we were hoping to wrap up the paper, and submit it, this summer.
In the meantime, we are working on a white paper related to that project (but about another company).
Finally, I contributed to a request for evidence from the government, on the impact of AI on workers’ job engagement and satisfaction, based on previous work (here and here).
Teaching
I had no teaching in July and August but there were various other teaching related activities such as marking, supervision meetings, answering student queries, etc…plus a lot of behind the scenes e-mailing and conversations to support students through difficult personal circumstances.
I was also involved in a number of programme accreditations.
Finally, I received my teaching timetable for next year.
Service
The main event, in this category, was the Summer Conference for students in the SeNSS and SENSS doctoral training networks. It was tiring, especially as it coincided with a heat wave, but it was very inspiring and energising (and also a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues).
Later, I reviewed applications for funding for placements and overseas institutional visits, and did some work on a student survey about impact activities.
Then, at the end of the summer, I e-mailed my colleagues, with my “Chair of the Ethics Committee” hat on.
I also reviewed one book draft and one book proposal. And I completed four performance reviews for colleagues.
What did July and August 2025 have in store for you?
Ana Canhoto 