Date: 02/12/2025
Series 2 Episode 3 – Nick Huxley on AI Tutor Bots and the Future of Primary Education
In this thought-provoking episode of Speaking of Research, we meet Nick Huxley, a newly joined doctoral researcher at the University of Brighton, who began his SCDTP-funded PhD in the 2025–2026 academic year. It is fantastic to have Nick already contributing to the wider conversation through this series.
Nick’s research explores how artificial intelligence tools, specifically AI tutor bots, are being introduced into primary school classrooms. With a focus on STEM education and mathematics, Nick is investigating how these technologies influence pupil engagement, learning outcomes, and teacher roles. His work connects closely to key global education challenges, including the digital divide and the UN Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and reducing inequality.
Drawing on his background as a primary school teacher and computing lead, Nick brings first-hand insight into the promises and pressures of integrating AI in the classroom. In the episode, he reflects on the role of personalised learning, teacher agency, and AI literacy, raising important questions about who benefits, who controls the tools, and what is required to ensure these innovations are both effective and equitable.
This episode offers a timely and engaging conversation for anyone interested in education, artificial intelligence, and the future of teaching and learning.
🎧 We are proud to welcome Nick to the South Coast DTP and encourage you to listen to his episode to hear how his research is already contributing to important discussions in education and technology.
Nicholas Mark Huxley is a full time SCDTP funded doctoral researcher at the University of Brighton and is part of the 2025–2026 cohort. He is supervised by Professor Michael Jopling and Dr Alison Barnes. His PhD project is currently titled “The Future of Learning? An exploration of the extent to which AI tutors can enhance engagement in primary STEM education.”
You can listen on your favourite platform:
- Spotify: Listen here
- Apple Podcasts: Listen here
- Amazon Music: Listen here
- Acast: Listen here
Start listening today and join us in celebrating the voices shaping tomorrow’s research.
🎧 Season 2 launches November 2025
New episodes of Speaking of Research Series 2 will be released on Tuesdays between 18 November 2025 to 10 February 2026.
Tune in weekly to hear directly from researchers across our partner institutions as they share their work, insights, and the impact they hope to make.
Curious about how it all began?
Series One of Speaking of Research was recorded at our annual conference at Cumberland Lodge in April 2025. In each episode, Catherine McDonald from Research Podcasts speaks with doctoral researchers about their projects, who might benefit from their work, and the impact they hope to make.
Visit our Series 1 podcast archive to listen to the full first series and discover the stories that launched the conversation.
💬 We’d love to hear from you. If you have comments, reflections, or feedback, feel free to get in touch with us at scdtp@soton.ac.uk.
