Prompt engineering: Efficient, science-based use of Generative AI

In this workshop, you will learn how to write effective prompts for generative AI models like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude or Gemini. We start by investigating how these AI models actually work: we explore how they were trained, what’s going on behind the scenes when we interact with them, and why they respond the way they do. We look at what tasks Large Language Models (LLMs) currently excel at, as well as areas where they still struggle.

Next, the hands-on part of the workshop gives an overview of key prompting strategies for the optimal use of LLMs. You will be introduced to prompt and context engineering, always based on the latest scientific insights. Moreover, you will work with GenAI tools yourself, to experience how you can teach their models new tasks, improve their reasoning abilities and reduce their tendency to hallucinate.

Finally, we wrap up with some important challenges that come with using generative AI, including ecological considerations, copyright and the risk of plagiarism.

Learning outcomes

After having attended this workshop, you will...

• have more insights in how generative AI works
• know what its strengths and weaknesses are and how you can use it effectively.

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• intellectual competences:
  • innovativeness
  • critical judgement
  • analytical thinking
  • conceptual/synthetic thinking
• academic research competences:
  • information management

For whom?

• PhD students & postdocs
• 20 places available

When and where?

• February 17, 2026 - 09:00-13:00
  • Location: Campus Hasselt, building Old Prison, room OG-C1.1Bl

Preparation?

Please don't forget to bring your laptop to the session!

Registration?

• Register here from October 16 until January 14, 2026.
• As places are limited, registering does not automatically imply that you will be able to participate. You will be notified by email after the registration deadline has passed.
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: category 'research management & communication skills' - workshop on research (management) skills
• DS HLS: category 'transferable skills' - half a transferable skills course
• DS ST: category 'research management' - course/workshop at developing general research skills