Introduction to ChatGPT for Academic Research: A HigherEd+ On Demand Course Preview

When:  Mar 18, 2026 from 02:00 PM to 03:00 PM (ET)

AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming part of everyday academic research conversations among university faculty and staff who support undergraduate students. Yet many are still asking the same question: What does responsible, effective use of ChatGPT actually look like in higher education settings?

On March 18, join CUR and HigherEd+ as they broadcast a new professional development module: Introduction to ChatGPT for Academic Research. This module is part of the new CUR Higher Education Professionals On-Demand Microcredential Bundle. In this session, you will learn how to:

  • Explain what ChatGPT is and how generative AI models function
  • Understand key concepts such as large language models, prompting, hallucinations, and training data
  • Use core ChatGPT features step by step for academic tasks
  • Explore advanced capabilities including custom instructions, custom GPTs, data analysis, vision tools, image generation, and web search
  • Apply ChatGPT in ways that support rigor, transparency, and ethical research practice
  • Explore and interact with how the on-demand modules run for CUR’s microcredential bundles

Meet the Instructor: Muhammad Irfan
International thought leader transforming higher education through effective AI use, with published research in Scientific Reports, MDPI Vaccines, The European Journal of Medical Research, and Cancer Cell International.