Practical, hands-on workshops to help you use AI confidently in your research. Bring your lunch, bring your curiosity.
About the Brown Bag series
Whether you're just getting started with AI or looking to sharpen your skills, these monthly lunchtime sessions are for you. Brought to you by MDAP, QuantLab, and the Community of AI in Research, our Brown Bag series offers a relaxed, informal space to learn, experiment, and connect with others across the University.
Each session runs for 60 minutes and includes a short demo, a hands-on tutorial you can follow along with your own laptop, followed by an optional open drop-in for all your AI questions and discussion.
Sessions are open to everyone, from PhD students and early-career researchers to senior academics, across all disciplines.
Sessions
Sessions for Semester 2, 2026 are listed below. All sessions run on the second Monday of the month, 12pm – 1pm, with an optional drop-in until 1.30pm.
Venue details listed per session. BYOD.
Getting started with AI assistance for research
Monday 10 August, 12pm – 1pm
Manhari Room, Level 7, Melbourne Connect
With Mel Mistica, MDAP and Academic Convenor, AI in Research, and Seraphine Maerz, School of Social and Political Sciences and QuantLab
General intro to AI for research and IP/copyright considerations.
Equipping AI agents with tools
Monday 14 September, 12pm – 1pm
Manhari Room, Level 7, Melbourne Connect
With Daniel Russo-Batterham, MDAP
Working with synthetic data
Monday 12 October, 12pm – 1pm
Mezzanine level, Melbourne Connect
With Irma Mooi-Reci, School of Social and Political Sciences and QuantLab
How to build your own RAG
Monday 9 November, 12pm – 1pm
Mezzanine level, Melbourne Connect
With Taylor Ey, Melbourne Institute
Analysing historical data with AI
Monday 14 December, 12pm – 1pm
Manhari Room, Level 7, Melbourne Connect
Speaker: David Goodman, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies
Meet the teams
The Brown Bag series is a collaboration between three University of Melbourne teams who share a passion for building research capability.
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform (MDAP)
MDAP supports researchers by collaborating on projects, providing analytical and computing expertise, and facilitating access to leading-edge tools and methods. We also offer support for project and grant development, specialised training on digital tools and methods, and run seminars, panels and other events throughout the year.
QuantLab
Co-founded by Seraphine F. Maerz and Irma Mooi-Reci, QuantLab is a University of Melbourne network advancing quantitative methods in the social sciences and beyond. QuantLab runs seminars and tutorials focused on cutting-edge data analysis and computational techniques, and champions hands-on, collaborative learning.
Community of AI in Research (CAIR)
CAIR brings together University of Melbourne researchers to share skills, ideas, and resources around AI in research. Taking a broad view of AI, from generative tools to ethical and social dimensions. The CoP runs monthly meetings and maintains an active teams discussion space with an open resource library.
Contact us
Questions, suggestions? Get in touch at mdap-info@unimelb.edu.au