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

• British University Vietnam (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 SymposiumBritish University Vietnam, 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 Ontario‘Recognition for outstanding and impactful research in developing fields of study.’
• International Rotary Scholar (2007) ‘For innovation and exemplary use of technology in higher education’.