Research Practice
Resources on the “how” of doing science day to day: navigating AI tools thoughtfully, improving your writing, giving better talks, and staying organized.
AI in Science
Generative AI has arrived faster than we were able to develop frameworks for it. The question is no longer if we incorporate these tools into our work, but how. What concerns me is that the pace of change is outrunning our ability to respond.
This matters because generative AI is not just changing how we work; it is changing how we teach and how students learn. People increasingly ask whether a PhD is still worth pursuing in a world where AI can write code, draft manuscripts, and summarize literature. I think the question itself is valuable, because it forces a more philosophical reckoning with what the PhD is really for. My view is that it is fundamentally about developing reasoning skills: learning to think independently, navigate ambiguity, and build scientific judgment in a confusing, chaotic world. Generative AI does not diminish the importance of these skills. If anything, it makes it even more important.
But that is not an argument for rejecting these tools. It is an argument for being deliberate about how and when we use them, particularly during training.
If you are navigating this as a PhD student, postdoc, or mentor, I highly recommend the resources below by Arjun Krishnan, which offer both a principled framework and practical, task-specific guidance for incorporating generative AI into research training.
- Krishnan, A. (2026). Build expertise first: why PhD training must sequence AI use after foundational skill development. Zenodo.
- Krishnan, A. (2026). Expertise before augmentation: a practical guide to using generative AI during research training. Zenodo.
- Georgetown University Library. AI Tools for Research. A curated overview of generative AI tools for research, including chatbots, search engines, and writing assistants.
Academic Writing
My colleague Stephen Kissler has put together an excellent guide on writing academic manuscripts, covering everything from structuring a paper to navigating the revision process.
- Kissler, S. A guide to writing academic manuscripts.
Academic Presentations
Dan Larremore’s guide on giving academic talks is one of the best I’ve come across. It’s very practical and useful whether you’re preparing your first conference talk or your fiftieth.
- Larremore, D. Guide to giving academic presentations.
Organizational Tools
There’s no shortage of opinions about the “best” tools for note-taking and organization. In my experience, the best tool is the one you’ll actually use. Which one that is depends on your workflow, your preferences, and how much you’re willing to spend. Don’t expect to get it right on the first try. Expect to switch tools at some point. Trial and error is how most people land on what works for them. Here are just some of my suggestions: