[Abstract]

My research examines how generative AI (GenAI) systems reshape academic search, learning, and research practices, with a focus on metacognition, critical thinking, and scientific creativity. Across three complementary studies, I have investigated how thoughtfully designed LLM-supported tools can enhance critical thinking and foster creative agency. The first study shows that embedding metacognitive prompts in conversational AI search enhances critical thinking by encouraging reflection, evaluation of AI responses, and consideration of multiple perspectives. The second study introduces MetaCues, an interactive GenAI search tool that our team designed to integrate metacognitive cues and note-taking features to support search and learning. The third study examines LLM-supported research ideation by designing tools with three levels of human control—Low, Medium, and Intensive. We found that perceived creativity support did not increase linearly with greater control, and that the majority of researchers recognized their ideas as co-created by humans and AI. Together, these studies articulate a research agenda demonstrating how GenAI systems can either undermine or support critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of ownership in academic search and research ideation, highlighting the importance of balancing human control and AI automation.

[Biography]

Soo Young Rieh is the Brooke E. Sheldon Professor of Management and Leadership at the School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, where she previously served as Interim Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Her research has focused on human information behavior, search as learning, creativity support in search, AI-enhanced search and research ideation, and AI literacy. Her work has received significant recognition, earning more than ten research awards, including the ASIS&T Outstanding Contributions to Information Behavior Research Award (2019), ACM CHIIR Best Paper Awards (2023, 2026), and Best JASIST Paper Awards (2005, 2011). Most recently, she received the Test of Time Award for her CHIIR 2016 paper. Prior to joining UT Austin, Rieh served for 17 years on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Information. She received her Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Library Studies from Rutgers University.