💡 How can scientists move beyond generic AI prompts to design workflows that are faster, smarter, and more impactful?
In this episode of the Science with Impact Podcast, Dr. Lennart Nacke, University Research Chair at the University of Waterloo, shares his journey from game design to academic entrepreneurship. He unpacks the flaws of traditional publishing, the rise of alternative models, and the role of social media in science communication. Dr. Nacke also introduces “context engineering”—designing AI prompts with audience, purpose, and constraints in mind—to help researchers produce clearer, more accurate work.
🤔 Who is this for?
Scientists and PhD students seeking practical, responsible ways to use AI in research and writing.
Mentors and educators helping students build stronger communication and publishing skills.
STEM professionals exploring entrepreneurship, branding, and the future of publishing in the AI era.
📋 What is it about?
Lennart explores how AI can streamline academic writing and research, from prompt design to literature reviews, while addressing challenges like hallucinations and plagiarism. He also critiques broken publishing incentives and argues for open platforms and entrepreneurial mindsets in science.
🔑 Key Takeaway: AI isn’t replacing scientists—it’s amplifying them. With strong prompts, clear context, and critical thinking, researchers can work faster and share science that reaches beyond academia.
⌚️ Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome to Science with Impact
00:49 Meet Dr. Leonard Nacke
01:19 The Importance of Effective Workflow
02:23 Waterloo: A Hub of Innovation
03:00 Connecting Through LinkedIn
04:00 Journey into Academic Entrepreneurship
06:31 The Role of AI in Academic Writing
17:58 The Future of Academic Publishing
28:42 The Role of PhDs in Advancing Knowledge
29:08 Incentivizing Quality and Accessibility in Research
31:21 Leveraging AI for Research Efficiency
32:00 Effective AI Prompt Engineering
33:44 Avoiding AI Hallucinations and Ensuring Accuracy
40:39 Navigating Plagiarism Concerns with AI
44:49 Building a Research Knowledge Base
46:51 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
📣 Guest
Dr. Lennart Nacke | University Research Chair, Professor of HCI and Director of the HCI Games Group at the University of Waterloo’s Games Institute.
Free Mind Maps on Research Methods -
Host:
Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., is the founder of Science with Impact, where we partner with research organizations to translate STEM advancements into measurable societal benefits beyond academia.
🙌🏽 Want to collaborate?
If you know of a research organization seeking support in:
Measuring (program evaluation, statistics/data analysis, and reporting) or
Communicating (illustration/animation, data visualization, and presentations)
the impact of their STEM research, click here to connect them with Dr. Rosa.
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