CONNECT is a newly established, decentralized, international, and multidisciplinary research group. CONNECT (Collaborative Open Network for New Educational Challenges and Transformation) focuses on conducting scientific research through collaboration across fields such as computer science, learning science, educational technologies, psychology, neuroscience, and is open to collaboration with other related scientific areas. Our current work focuses on:
Generative AI (GenAI) for qualitative research – developing computational and theoretical models and methods to assess and interpret qualitative analysis.
Theoretical foundations in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) – fostering a global community to define and refine conceptual perspectives.
The rise of generative AI has opened new possibilities for qualitative research, particularly in thematic analysis. At CONNECT, we aim to:
Develop standards and methods for assessing autonomous AI-driven analysis to ensure scientific integrity and quality benchmarks.
Support engineers in improving AI systems while guiding researchers on how to responsibly integrate these tools into their work.
Build, test, and evaluate multi-agent AI systems using benchmark datasets, ensuring adherence to rigorous expert-selected standards.
We explore new ways of collaborating and learning across multiple time zones and disciplines. Our key goals include:
Strengthening the theoretical foundations of CSCL – promoting community awareness, encouraging questioning, and working towards a shared conceptual framework across fields such as psychology, computer science, learning sciences, anthropology, and sociology.
Providing educators with actionable insights – fostering a reciprocal relationship between researchers and practitioners to ensure meaningful and practical impact.
Supporting educators in CSCL implementation – creating a global network to exchange best practices.
CONNECT was founded in late 2024 as part of an initiative within the CSCL community. Our core team of 10 researchers from 7 countries brings expertise from computer science, anthropology, learning sciences, educational design, and technology-enhanced learning.
We actively seek partnerships across research communities, valuing collaboration as a mutual learning opportunity. If you're interested in staying CONNECTed, feel free to reach out!