Don Hickerson
Don completed his degree in business administration from Confederation and immediately began working for BC Parks. It was here he fostered a reverence for outdoor recreation, beginning the process of certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. An unfortunate injury halted his career path resulting in a return to academia. Don subsequently completed an Honours degree in Sociology from Lakehead University. During this time an Internship at the Vietnam National University greatly altered his research focus, which he used to complete a Masters in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario and furthering this focus as a PhD student. In 2015 Don took formal leave from his PhD work at Western to concentrate on being a father. Don has recently reconvened his doctoral journey and is currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration at Edgewood College.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctoral Candidate, currentEdgewood College-University of Wisconsin, USA
- PhD Student (2014)Western University, Canada
- Postgraduate Certificate on Contract Law (2022)HarvardX, Harvard Law School
- Master of Arts, Sociology – Specialised in Migration and International Relations (2012)
The University of Western Ontario, Canada - Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Sociology and Psychology (Double) (2007)
Lakehead University, Canada - Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration (1990)
Confederation College, Canada
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- 91做厙 (BUV)
Associate Lecturer - CIEM (Vietnam)
Consultant and Educator (2017 – 2019) - Singapore International School (Vietnam)
A-Levels Business Studies Teacher (2015-2017) - Western University (Canada)
Assoc. Lecturer (2012-2015)
RESEARCH AREAS
- Generative AI and foundational models and their applications and impacts
- Networks and symbolic boundary construction
- Small scale economic creation and in-group dynamics
- Gender and governance issues in Asia
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
- A Peak Behind the Curtain: Using Step-Around Prompt Engineering to Identify Bias and Misinformation in Generative AI and Foundation Models. In progress. Publishing pending.
- GenAI Detection Tools, Adversarial Techniques, and Implications for Inclusivity in Higher Education. September 2024. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education 21(1)DOI: 10.1186/s41239-024-00487-w. License CC BY 4.0
- Game of Tones: Faculty detection of GPT-4 generated content in university assessments.May 2023. DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2305.18081. License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- Detection of GPT-4 Generated Text in Higher Education: Combining Academic Judgement and Software to Identify Generative AI Tool Misuse. October 2023. Journal of Academic Ethics 22(1):1-25DOI: 10.1007/s10805-023-09492-6
- Hickerson, D (2020) Under Review
Heavy Metal Thunder: Understanding the Hard-Core Motorcyclist, in The Qualitative Report 2022. Pending Publication. - Chan, A. (2019)
Xi Jinping: Political Career, Governance, and Leadership, 1953-2018. Oxford University Press.
Guest editorial assistant. ISBN: 9780197615249 - Hickerson, D, (2012)
The Cross-Border Migrant Experience in Lang Son Province, Northern Viet Nam. E-TD Repository. University of Western Ontario. 937. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/937
RESEARCH & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/EXHIBITIONS
- Hickerson, D. (2024)A Peak Behind the Curtain: Using Step-Around Prompt Engineering to Identify Bias and Misinformation in Generative AI and Foundation Models.BUV x SU Research Symposium91做厙, Staffordshire University, UK
- Hickerson, D. (2024)Giga Hurts: The Environmental Side Effects of the AI Manufacturing MadnessInternational Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management 2024 (ICGSTM2024),
- Hickerson, D. (2012)
Small-Scale Trade as a Reaction to Economic Disadvantage
Migration and Ethnic Relations 2012 Conference.
University of Western Ontario, Canada - Hickerson, D. (2010)
The Mechanics of In-group Formation and Inclusion
The Qualitatives Conference
Wilfrid Laurier University 2010, Canada - Hickerson, D. (2008)
Potential Causes in the Under-Reporting of Sexual Violence in Vietnam
International Student Research Conference (Special Address)
Lakehead University, Canada
RESEARCH GRANTS
- Belanger, D.; Hickerson, D., et.al. (2012) Canada Research Council: UWO
- The Economic Options for Working Women in Vietnam Study. The University of Western Ontario ($150,000)
- Hickerson, D.; et al. (2008) World University Service Canada. Establishing working relationships within various employment sectors in Vietnam. ($20,000)
- Hickerson, D. (2007) Rotary International Scholarship Award. Funding to foster international study and research. ($12,000)
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Outstanding Research Award (2012)The University of Western OntarioRecognition for outstanding and impactful research in developing fields of study.
- International Rotary Scholar (2007) For innovation and exemplary use of technology in higher education.
Read more 
Teaching Fellow
James McGaughranRaised and educated in the United States, James completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado (USA) as a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Subsequently, he completed a Master of Strategic Leadership and Communication from Stephens College in Missouri (USA). James then travelled, worked and volunteered in India and Nepal before […]
Senior Lecturer - Academic Ambassador
Discipline Lead - Business (Management, Marketing)
Coming from the serene coastal town of Port Dickson, Malaysia. Dr. Ash embarked on an academic journey that culminated in remarkable achievements. She secured a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in International Marketing Management from the Robert Gordon University (RGU), UK. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Postgraduate Studies […]
Head of School, School of Communications & Creative Industries
Dr. Paul D.J. MoodyDr. Paul DJ Moody’s qualifications include: PhD (Royal College of Art, 2023) Acts of Resistance by documentary practice in Visual Communication; Diploma in Professional Film and Video Production (North East Media Training Centre, 1989) and Bachelors degree in Communication Studies (University of London, Goldsmiths). In 1989 he entered international film, television and media industry as […]
Lecturer - Academic Ambassador
Dr. Madura Thiwanka PathiranaDr. Madura Thivanka Pathirana is a Sri Lankan and Australian academic specializing in sustainable tourism and business management. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK, and currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Edith Cowan University Sri Lanka. In 2025, he completed a Research Fellowship in […]
Lecturer - Academic Ambassador
Programme Lead - International Business Management
Raised and educated in Chennai, INDIA, Varun completed a bachelors degree in Defense & Strategic studies from University of Madras. Following graduation in 2003, he completed a masters degree in Mass communication & Journalism in 2005. He started his career as a Lecturer from Chennai. Varun completed National Eligibility Test in 2012 to become certified […]
Teaching Fellow
Head of Pathways
Raised and educated in the North-East of England, Michael completed a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Media from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Following graduation in 2012, he was employed for 5 years in the UK music events & hospitality industry as a Marketing & Events Manager. During this time, Michael continued to pursue his passion for […]
Teaching Practitioner
Nhu Huong TraTra Nhu is an illustrator and printmaker creating welcoming and inclusive visual solutions. As an art coordinator and educator, Tra organizes workshops, fairs and community events in Vietnam and the UK. Tra earned a Bachelor of Professional Communication from RMIT University and recently graduated with a MA Illustration from University of the Arts London. From […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Jonathan NealeMr Neale has been CEO of two consultancies and successfully restored over 23 different businesses to profitability before entering higher education. He taught in the UK and Abu Dhabi before coming to Vietnam. His first degree was from Dalhousie University (Canada), he later completed an MBA at Heriot-Watt University (Scotland) and a PGCE at York […]
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Shashi ChaudharyShashi, born and raised in Nepal, completed a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Economics and Mathematics and a Master’s degree (MA) in Economics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He started his career in higher education as a Lecturer in Economics at the School of Business, Pokhara University, Nepal, where he worked for two years before moving to […]
Associate Lecturer
Programme Lead - Software Engineering
Born in Scotland, Fraser completed a Software Engineering degree (Bachelor of Engineering with Honours) from Edinburgh Napier University in 2013. With a primary focus on machine learning and genetic algorithms. After graduating, Fraser worked as a software developer in the oil and gas industry and as a cloud-based consultant developing and customizing customer relationship management […]