Three Northwestern University in Qatar students have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Advanced Undergraduate Research on Robots and Artificial Intelligence (AURORA) research grant, a groundbreaking initiative supporting undergraduate research and development projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on communication, journalism, and writing.
Part of the university's Artificial Intelligence Initiative (AI2), the AURORA grant operates under the Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab (AIM Lab), led by S. Venus Jin, associate dean for education and founding director of AIM Lab. It aims to empower students to lead interdisciplinary research and contribute to the evolving landscape of AI-powered media.
Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar, highlighted the program’s strategic alignment with the university’s mission. “The AURORA Grant underscores Northwestern Qatar’s commitment to empowering our students to explore groundbreaking intersections of media, technology, and artificial intelligence,” said Kraidy. “By supporting projects that integrate AI and communication, we are advancing our vision to tell evidence-based stories that shape knowledge production and public discourse. This initiative aims to inspire bold thinking across disciplines and foster collaboration between faculty and students to address the most pressing issues of our time.”
Selected students will work with AIM Lab faculty on projects that explore the intersection of AI, communication, and journalism, pushing boundaries in areas such as digital news accessibility, AI-generated content, and the use of AI in social media.
“This initiative aims to inspire bold thinking across disciplines and foster collaboration between faculty and students to address the most pressing issues of our time.”
Jingjie Wang, a communication student, will explore the intersection of mythology, art, and AI through her project AI-Generated Animation of Shan Hai Jing. This development project investigates how AI can be used to animate ancient myths, blending traditional culture with modern technology. Wang’s research is supported by faculty mentor Associate Professor Spencer Striker, who brings expertise in the intersection of communication and technology, helping Wang develop her innovative approach to storytelling through AI.
Uwonkunda Sylvie Dushime, also a communication student, will examine the challenges and opportunities AI presents for marginalized voices in literary publishing with her project Writing and Publishing from the Margins of the U.S. Literary Scene in the Age of GPTs: The African Diaspora Perspective. Dushime’s faculty mentor, Associate Professor Sam Meekings, an expert in literary studies, will support her in examining how AI can both empower and disrupt the African diaspora’s contribution to U.S. literary culture, opening new paths for voices often marginalized in traditional publishing circles.
Shugyla Karshygakyzy, a journalism student, is focusing her research on the application of AI in creating viral social media content. Her project, Application of AI Tools in Producing Viral Social Media Content: Instagram Reels, explores how AI can help craft content that resonates with global audiences, particularly on Instagram Reels. Guided by her faculty mentor, Professor S. Venus Jin, Karshygakyzy will investigate the mechanisms by which AI shapes trends in social media, contributing to our understanding of digital communication's future.
Reflecting on the significance of the grant, S. Venus Jin stated, “The AURORA Grant provides our students with unparalleled opportunities to lead innovative research at the nexus of AI and media.” She added, “These projects mark a bold step forward in equipping the next generation with the expertise to reshape the future of the communication and media industry.”
The AURORA initiative is a key part of AIM Lab’s broader mission to mentor undergraduate researchers, nurture future media professionals and academics, and expand meaningful contributions to the global discourse on AI.
For more information about AIM Lab and its initiatives, click here.
