Before ChatGPT, There Were ’Shadow Scholars’

Thousands of writers in Kenya make their living ghostwriting academic papers for wealthy Western students.  It’s an industry known as “contract cheating” or “essay mills,” and is the subject of a new documentary, “The Shadow Scholars.” Directed by Eloise King, the film follows Kenyan-born Oxford Professor Patricia Kingori as she investigates this hidden industry and seeks to understand the essay writers working in the shadows of the educational system. 

Morgan talks with Patricia and Eloise about the world of academic cheating, and how these writers are adapting to a world in which AI-generated essays are just a click away.

Guests: 

Patricia Kingori, professor of global health ethics at the University of Oxford

Eloise King, director of “The Shadow Scholars”

Further reading/listening: 

The Shadow Scholars — Directed by Eloise King 

Kenya’s “Fake Essay” Writers and the Light they Shine on Assumptions of Shadows in Knowledge Production — Patricia Kingori, Journal of African Cultural Studies 

How writing essays for American students has become a lucrative profession overseas — Farah Stockman, The Independent 

Georgia Bans Commercial Cheating Services — Derek Newton, Forbes 

Companies that use AI to help you cheat at school are thriving on TikTok and Meta — Chris Stokel-Walker, Fast Company  

Read the transcript here

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Credits:

This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Maya Cueva. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief.

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