Background 

Frank Gasking is a Senior Technical Specialist (Developer) in the University of Kent’s School of Psychology, supporting staff and students with the design and delivery of experiments, applications, and online studies across research and teaching.

He develops and maintains key School and University systems, including the Ethics and Research Database. He also supports tools such as Qualtrics and PsychoPy and contributes to teaching and training activities. Frank works with colleagues to explore the responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI, within research and teaching contexts.

Outside the University, he is involved in digital preservation of classic and unreleased computer games through a long-running project called Games That Weren’t.

Engagement with T-PIKE 

Frank’s engagement with T-PIKE has been shaped through professional development in artificial intelligence. He completed the HEaTED AI for Technicians – An Introduction course through the Institute of Science and Technology (IST), followed by the accredited AI for Technicians – Entry Level Accreditation course offered to staff.

Following completion of the accredited course, Frank successfully gained professional registration as a Registered AI Practitioner (RTechAI) with the IST. This training provided a strong practical foundation in AI development, evaluation, and responsible use, with a particular emphasis on ethics, governance, data quality, and human oversight.

Outcomes 

Through his role and training, Frank contributes to the University’s wider AI and digital capability development by supporting colleagues in the responsible use of AI in research and teaching. He works collaboratively with academic and professional services staff to assess appropriate AI use, communicate its limitations, and embed ethical and transparent practices into technical workflows.

His engagement supports institutional objectives around innovation, governance, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

Key takeaways 

Through his involvement in AI-focused professional development and engagement with T-PIKE, Frank has been able to:

  • Develop a structured and ethical approach to AI within research and technical workflows
  • Identify and manage risks related to data quality, bias, and governance
  • Communicate clearly about the capabilities and limitations of AI to non-technical colleagues

Frank’s experience demonstrates that technical staff can:

  • Play a key role in enabling responsible innovation across the University
  • Bridge technical expertise and research practice
  • Lead on ethical and transparent use of emerging technologies