Activity systems in transition: GenAI-Mediated thesis writing strategies and contradictions among Chinese doctoral students in Australia

Key Points

• Significant contradictions are observed in the thesis writing approaches of Chinese doctoral students.
• Thesis writing strategies heavily influenced by GenAI tools show notable variations in effectiveness.
• Observational analysis of doctoral students reveals a struggle with activity systems during their transition.
• These insights may enable improvements in academic support and tools for international students.