A recent presentation at the RIDE 2026 conference explored how online students construct their academic identities through writing, especially in the age of generative AI. Titled "Whose voice is it anyway? Online students’ construction of academic identities through writing," the session by Jessica Hancock delved into the challenges and opportunities facing distance learners as they develop a unique scholarly voice.
The talk, part of the 20th annual international conference on online and distance education, examined how students navigate the tension between authentic self-expression and the conventions of academic writing. With the rise of GenAI tools, the question of authorship and voice becomes even more pressing.
Hancock's research highlights the need for educators to support students in cultivating their own voices while leveraging technology responsibly. The full video is available on the Centre for Online and Distance Education YouTube channel.