As the fifth paradigm of scientific research—characterized by its “AI-driven” nature—demonstrates significant potential, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in the core processes of scientific inquiry. To explore the development of an AI-driven fifth research paradigm in humanities and social sciences, uncover the principles and technical approaches for building an autonomous knowledge system in education, and address the academic norms and ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in educational research, the Faculty of Education of East China Normal University(ECNU), the Shanghai Institute of Intelligent Education, and the East China Normal University Intelligent Education Laboratory (a Ministry of Education Philosophy and Social Sciences Laboratory) are jointly organizing an essay solicitation activity and seminar titled“AI-Driven Educational Research Paper Writing” with AI serving as the primary author of the research papers.
1. Theme
AI-Driven Educational Research Paper Writing
2. Schedule
Submission Period: October 1– November 30, 2025
Seminar: Mid-December 2025 (Agenda to be announced later)
3. Participants
Researchers and students (including postgraduate and/or undergraduate) in AI, education, or related fields, either individually or in teams (no more than 3 members).
4. Topics
Focuses areas include AI-empowered education ecosystems, covering:
AI-driven future learning, future classrooms, future teachers, future schools, and educational research.
5. Submission Requirements
Core Criteria:
Explore AI-era research paradigm shifts. Papers must be primarily created by AI (hypothesis generation, research design, data analysis, and paper writing). Researchers act as task initiators, tool selectors, instruction designers, quality evaluators, and supervisors, withAI as the first author and researchers as co-/corresponding authors.
Required Materials:
Paper
Language: Chinese (~10,000 characters).
Format: Follow Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences) guidelines.
Mandatory labeling of AI-generated content.
Process Description
AI tool name/version
Application approach/steps
Proportion/location of AI-generated content in the paper
Manual revisions and supplementary instructions
Submission Method
Website:https://paper.zkhyfy.com/paper/create/AIDW2025.html
QR Code:
6. Review Process
(1) AI Preliminary Review
All submissions will undergo automated screening using an AI-powered review system, assessing compliance with:
Labeling standards for AI-generated content (aligned with Measures for Identifying AI-Generated Synthetic Content)
Research significance, scientific rigor, innovation, and basic academic standards
（2）Expert Secondary Review
Papers passing the preliminary review, along with their "Process Descriptions," will be evaluated by an international expert committee (comprising renowned scholars in education and AI). Evaluation criteria include:
Theoretical and practical significance of the educational science research.
Rationality of content and methodology.
Academic innovation of the AI-generated components.
Completeness of human verification mechanism.
Appropriateness of technology application in educational contexts.
7. Awards
(1) 10 Outstanding Papers:
Honorary certificates;
Prize of 10,000 RMB per paper;
Published in a special issue of the conference’s partner journal.
(2) Several Excellent Papers:
Honorary certificates and corresponding rewards;
Inclusion in conference proceedings;
Presentation and exchange opportunities during the seminar.
8. Seminar Topics
Following the review process, award-winning authors and invited experts will discuss:“Application and Challenges of the Fifth Scientific Research Paradigm in the Field of Education”.
9. Expert Committee
Chair:
Yuan Zhenguo
(Dean of the Faculty of Education at ECNU, Professor Emeritus, Honorary President of the Shanghai Institute of Intelligent Education)
Members:
Yang Zongkai
(Director of the Expert Advisory Committee on Digital Education under the Ministry of Education, Former President of Wuhan University of Technology)
Jiang Yugang
(Vice President, Fudan University; Dean, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University)
Dong Bin
(Distinguished Professor, Peking University; Executive Vice President, Beijing Zhongguancun Academy)
Xu Yingqing
(Professor at Tsinghua University, Director of the Future Laboratory)
Wu Libo
(Vice President, Shanghai Innovation Institute; Chairman, Shanghai Academy of AI for Science)
Wang Yanfeng
(Executive Dean, School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Chairman, Industrial Innovation Research Institute)
Wu Fei
(Dean, Undergraduate College, Zhejiang University; Director, Artificial Intelligence Research Institute)
Zhou Aimin
(Dean of Shanghai Institute of AI for Education, ECNU)
Zhang Zhi
(Director of Lab of AI for Education, ECNU)
Shao Yilei
(Dean of Shanghai AI-Finance School, ECNU)
Lin Longnian
(Executive Vice Dean of Institute of Brain Science and Educational Innovation, ECNU; Director of Key Laboratory of Functional Genomics of the Brain, Ministry of Education)
James Evans
(Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago; Principal Investigator, Santa Fe Institute)
Rupert Wegerif
(Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge; Founder and Director, Digital Education Future Initiative (DEFI), Hughes College)
10. Partner Journals:
Journal of East China Normal University (Educational Sciences)
The ECNU Review of Education
Open Education Research
Global Education
Modern Educational Technology
Education Policy Review in China
11. Important Notes:
All submissions must be original and unpublished in other journals/conferences.
Authors must strictly comply with the relevant provisions ofthe Interim Measures for the Administration of Generative Artificial Intelligence Servicesissued by the Cyberspace Administration of China and other relevant departments.
Organizers reserve the right to publicize and promote winning/selected papers.
12. Contact Information
Contact Person: Ms. Xiao
Phone/Wechat: 19946222529
Faculty of Education, East China Normal University
Shanghai Institute of AI for Education, ECNU
Lab of AI for education, ECNU, Ministry of Education Philosophy and Social Sciences Laboratory
September 30, 2025
