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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence, No. 3. 2026. Pp.268-286
Department of English, Faculty of Languages, Letters and Art, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
Department of English, Faculty of Languages, Letters and Art, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
The recent technological development and the prevalent use of generative AI applications have rendered commitments to research ethics and integrity more challenging. This study investigates Moroccan doctoral students’ accounts of decision-making in English-language academic writing and publishing, alongside the institutional and relational conditions associated with those decisions. This study may be salient for higher education contexts in which formal ethics procedures and AI-related guidance remain uneven, in light of publication pressures and uncertain standards. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with twelve doctoral candidates from multiple disciplines at two public Moroccan universities, and were subsequently analyzed thematically. The analysis yielded three interconnected themes: (1) institutional ethics infrastructure and its practical accessibility, (2) supervisory mentorship as a source of direction and accountability, and (3) peer-based norms shaping AI use in academic writing and expectations regarding disclosure. The findings suggest that unclear procedures and uneven supervision are associated with the growth of informal peer practices, heightened strain, and variable alignment with formal requirements. The article proposes a multi-level framework which links institutional environment, workgroup climate, and issue-specific evaluations of AI use to reported ethical practices. It also points to the value of structured ethics education, supervisor development initiatives, and clear guidance on AI transparency in academic work.
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Kamal BOUAZIZ is a PhD student at Ibn Tofail University (Kenitra, Morocco) and an English teacher. Academic interests relate to education, gender studies and feminism, international relations, and women’s issues. Current research focuses on students’ soft-skills development and educational practices in Moroccan contexts. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7558-2080
Dr. Souad EDDOUADA is an Associate Professor of cultural and gender studies at Ibn Tofail University (Kenitra, Morocco) and is a native of Rabat. She earned a PhD from Mohammed V University (Rabat). Her research has examined women’s NGOs, gender and Islam in the MENA region, as well as women’s land-rights movements, including fieldwork on Solaliyat movement.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9358-7974