Mitch Gerhardt

Mitch Gerhardt

Department of Engineering Education Department of Computer Science

Talks and Presentations

Large Language Models in Qualitative Engineering Education Research: Technical Methods and Methodological Considerations

November 01, 2026

Guest Lecture, ME 397/379M Qualitative Research Methods, University of Texas at Austin (Dr. Maura Borrego), Austin, TX

Return engagement with the fall 2026 cohort of Dr. Borrego’s qualitative research methods course. Examined human vs. machine pattern recognition, current GenAI approaches for qualitative research, researcher positionality, translational challenges, and shifting definitions of “intelligence.” Addressed methodological questions about computational approaches to qualitative work and implications for research practice.

Are We Talking About the Same Summer? Mentor-Mentee Perception Alignment and the Question of AI in Engineering Internships

October 02, 2026

Conference Presentation, 2026 NEASTE Regional Conference, 2026 NEASTE Regional Conference

Presented with Dr. Maggie Webb (Webb, M., & Gerhardt, M.). Work with a Rice University bridge program examining how students recognized differences between how practitioners and instructors orient toward AI in engineering internships, and how hard that dissonance is to negotiate.

Responsible GenAI Use: GenAI, Course Policy, and Academic Integrity in ALCE

September 23, 2026

Invited Presentation, Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Invited presentation at a department meeting of the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, with roughly 30 faculty and graduate students. The session focused on GenAI course policy and academic integrity, treating “responsible” use as a question about disciplinary norms — what ALCE scholarship values in writing, analysis, and community engagement — rather than a blanket rule. Connects to ongoing work on GenAI course policies and graduate instructor development at Virginia Tech. Attendee feedback: “We all found the session very helpful.”

It's like "X": How Engineering Faculty Metaphors Construct (and Constrain) GAI Understanding in Engineering Education

June 23, 2026

Conference Presentation, 2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Charlotte, NC

Presenting work examining the figurative language used to describe “AI” from engineering instructors from Spring 2025. Findings revealed wide variety in conceptualizations of AI, raising the imperative for faculty developers to work as “translators” between meaning-making systems.

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Impact of Generative AI Applications on Current Doctoral Practices and Implications for the Future

June 23, 2026

Panelist, 2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Charlotte, NC

Special session critically examining the use of GenAI within doctoral training and education. In addition to expert opinions, it gave participants the opportunity to contribute to ongoing discussion on the topic and provide guidance and feedback on what basic guidelines for use of GenAI within doctoral education should look like.

Workshop on GAI Course Policies for Virginia Tech Graduate Instructors

March 26, 2026

Workshop, Virginia Tech Graduate Instructors, Blacksburg, VA

Initiated and led a three-student group to organize a workshop for Virginia Tech graduate instructors about GenAI course policies. Addressing a critical need through participatory instruction and activities that promote GenAI literacy. Received IRB approval to study the workshop’s implementation and effectiveness, with plans to publish results. Leveraging networks and existing partnerships with the Graduate Honor System (GHS), the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the center for Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), and departmental leadership to host and market the event.

Scholarly Ethics

February 01, 2026

Guest Lecture, GRAD 5004: Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop, Virginia Tech (Dean Kevin Edgar), Blacksburg, VA

Presentation to incoming GTAs at Virginia Tech, addressing topics like academic and professional integrity, the VT Undergraduate and Graduate Honor Systems, GTA integrity responsibilities, GenAI use, and contemporary literature about cheating.

AI Research Ethics in Engineering Education

December 01, 2025

Guest Lecture, ECE Graduate Student Seminar, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Co-presented with Andrew Katz to ECE graduate students examining ethical dimensions of AI research in educational contexts.

Large Language Models in Qualitative Engineering Education Research: Technical Methods and Methodological Considerations

November 01, 2025

Guest Lecture, ME 397/379M Qualitative Research Methods, University of Texas at Austin (Dr. Maura Borrego), Austin, TX

Examined human vs. machine pattern recognition, current GenAI approaches for qualitative research, researcher positionality, translational challenges, and shifting definitions of “intelligence.” Addressed methodological questions about computational approaches to qualitative work and implications for research practice.

Large Language Models and Sociotechnical Applications in Engineering Education Research

October 01, 2025

Invited Presentation, Cornell DBER Research Group (2 presentations), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Presented technical background of large language models, AI history, and sociotechnical applications in engineering education research. Demonstrated how computational methods intersect with critical perspectives on workplace learning and expertise.

GAI Adoption in Higher Education

May 01, 2025

Invited Student, Board of Visitors, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Discussed research on GenAI adoption in higher education and ongoing projects examining workplace technology integration with university leadership.