Doctoral students’ use of Generative AI and their engagement in English for Research Publication Purposes writing: An activity theory perspective

• Published in: System (Linköping) Vol. 134; p. 103828
• Main Authors: Du, Chenxi, Yang, Yingli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2025
• Subjects: Activity theory; Doctoral students; English for Research Publication Purposes writing; Generative AI; Multi-case study; Writing engagement; Doctoral students; Multi-case study; Writing engagement; Generative AI; English for Research Publication Purposes writing; Activity theory
• ISSN: 0346-251X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.system.2025.103828

Drawing on Activity Theory, the present study adopted a multiple-case design to investigate three Chinese doctoral students’ use of Generative AI (GenAI) in their English for Research Publication Purposes (ERPP) writing. Data including GenAI dialogue histories, semi-structured interviews, drafts and revised versions, and reflective journals were coded following the thematic analysis procedure. The results revealed: (1) the three participants used GenAI for language-related, content-related, and format-related purposes; (2) the use of GenAI could be attributed to three contradictions: division of labor vs. subject, community vs. subject, and rule vs. subject; (3) GenAI use resolved the three contradictions, but generated two new contradictions: rule vs. subject and division of labor vs. subject. The resolution of old contradictions and the addition of new contradictions exerted idiosyncratic impacts on three doctoral students’ behavioral, emotional, and cognitive (dis)engagement in ERPP writing. The present study extends the applicability of Activity Theory to a GenAI-mediated L2 writing context and reveals the complex relationship between GenAI use and sub-dimensions of GenAI-mediated writing engagement. •Chinese doctoral students used GenAI for language-related, content-related, and format-related purposes.•The GenAI use could be attributed to three contradictions.•The GenAI use led to resolution of the three old contradictions and addition of two new contradictions.•The GenAI exerted idiosyncratic impacts on doctoral students' behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement.