AAIR Events

Planning Without the Crystal Ball: Load Management in the Age of Managed Growth

5 August 2026 (12–1pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Load Management and Planning SIG

Facilitator: Gabrielle Harrison, Load Management & Planning SIG Co-Chair (and Senior Advisor, Funding Policy and Planning, The University of Melbourne)

Navigating uncertainty. Planning through transition. Learning from each other.

Australian higher education is entering a period of significant change.

The sector is preparing for a transition from existing funding arrangements towards a managed growth environment, with reforms centred around mission-based compacts, managed growth funding, equity participation and new approaches to system stewardship through ATEC. While the broad direction of travel is becoming clearer, many institutions are still working through what these reforms mean for planning, forecasting and decision-making.

As planners, analysts and institutional researchers, we are increasingly being asked to make decisions in a period of uncertainty. Growth assumptions are changing, policy settings are evolving, and institutions are preparing for compact discussions while the future operating environment continues to emerge.

This interactive AAIR Load Management & Planning SIG session will explore:

• The current transition towards managed growth.
• Emerging planning challenges facing higher education institutions.
• Experiences preparing for compact discussions and submissions.
• The opportunities and risks participants have identified within the proposed reforms.
• The capabilities planners will need to support decision-makers through a period of change.

The session will be highly interactive, using Zoom Whiteboards to capture insights, challenges and good practice from across the sector.

Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, compare approaches and contribute to a sector-wide discussion about what effective planning looks like in an increasingly uncertain environment.

Pricing:

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)

THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAAIR. A RECORDING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Welcome to AAIR: Connect, Learn and Get Started

20 August 2026 (11am – 12pm AEST / 1–2pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Note: Earlier Timeslot

Facilitators:

• Sharon Liddell (AAIR Executive Committee member), Surveys Coordinator at University of Technology Sydney, Australia
• Alexandra Simpson (AAIR Social Media Coordinator), Data Analyst (Learning & Teaching) at Bond University, Australia

New to AAIR? A friendly introduction to institutional research in higher education

Whether you’re brand new to the Australasian Association for Institutional Research or simply looking to reconnect, this welcoming session is designed to help you feel confident, informed and part of the community.

We’ll introduce you to institutional research in the higher education context, explain how AAIR supports your professional growth, and show you how to get the most value from your membership. You’ll meet fellow members, learn about our Special Interest Groups and events, and have the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed, supportive environment.

New members are especially encouraged to attend, and long-standing members are warmly invited to join us to share their experience and connect with our newest colleagues.

Come along, say hello and start building your AAIR network.

Pricing:

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: Also FREE

THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAAIR. A RECORDING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Institutional Research Showcase 2026

28 August 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Facilitator: Lester DSouza, Manager, Government Reporting at University of Technology Sydney

More Than a Dashboard: Bringing Multiple Data Sources Together for Better Decision-Making

Ansha Baniya, Analytics Lead, Data Excellence at Australian Catholic University
Uzzal Roy, Data Engineering Lead, Data Excellence at Australian Catholic University

This presentation shares the development of an integrated reporting solution that brought together data from multiple sources, including data warehouse views, internal semantic models, and externally managed semantic models. In a decentralised reporting environment, where data, reports, and business definitions were maintained across different areas of the institution, the project focused on transforming fragmented information into a trusted and accessible reporting framework that supports evidence-based decision-making.

The session will discuss the challenges of integrating diverse data sources, establishing consistent business definitions, and balancing stakeholder needs with reporting governance. It will also reflect on lessons learned in stakeholder engagement, iterative development, and building trust in institutional data through a single, governed source of truth.

Attendees will gain insights into approaches for delivering integrated reporting solutions that improve data accessibility, strengthen governance, and support better decision-making across the institution.

About Ansha

Analytics Lead specialising in Power BI reporting solutions, and data visualisation. Experienced in bringing together complex data from multiple sources to create trusted reporting frameworks that support evidence-based decision-making. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, reporting governance, and translating technical data into meaningful insights that drive institutional planning and strategic outcomes.

About Uzzal

Data Engineering Lead specialising in Data Architecture, Data Warehousing, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence, and Analytics. Trusted advisor to business and technical stakeholders, with extensive experience in delivering scalable, data-driven solutions that enable informed decision-making and drive organisational success. Passionate about leveraging modern data platforms and advanced analytics to unlock the value of data, empower insights, and support strategic outcomes.

From comments to conversations: developing an AI-enabled approach to QILT qualitative analysis

Nathaniel Lewis, Director, Educational Data and Insights at UNSW

Open-text QILT Student Experience Survey comments contain valuable insight into why students respond as they do, but their scale and complexity make consistent analysis challenging. This presentation traces UNSW’s journey from manual comment review through topic discovery, structured theme development and thematic dashboards to an AI-enabled conversational insights tool. We will share what we learned from testing techniques including BERTopic, machine-assisted classification, sql-based analysis and conversational AI. The session will consider the tension between stable institutional themes and emerging student issues, approaches to representative comments and longitudinal comparison, and the governance required when using AI with sensitive qualitative data. The focus is on the broader analytical maturity journey, and building a repeatable and trustworthy way to translate student voice into evidence that supports educational improvement.

About Nathaniel

Nathaniel Lewis is Director, Educational Data & Insights at UNSW, where he leads the development of institutional analytics, AI-enabled insight products and decision-support capabilities. He has more than 20 years’ experience across Australian higher education, national education reporting and educational measurement. His current work focuses on applying enterprise data tools, generative AI and conversational tools to qualitative feedback, survey analysis and institutional decision-making. Nathaniel previously held senior data and reporting leadership roles at the University of Sydney and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.

This could be your spot!

Vacant

Would you like to present? We have one spot available. There is still time, submit your expression of interest today.

Pricing:

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)

THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAAIR. A RECORDING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Institutional Reporting SIG Discussion

10 September 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Institutional Reporting SIG

SIG Chair: David Cawthorne (Manager, Government Reporting Transformation, Charles Darwin University)

Join the Institutional Reporting Special Interest Group (SIG) for an interactive discussion on the current state of compliance and external reporting across the higher education sector.

This session provides an opportunity for members to connect, share experiences, and discuss the challenges and changes shaping institutional reporting in their organisations. From regulatory reporting requirements to evolving data standards and compliance expectations, institutional reporting continues to play a critical role in supporting quality, accountability and decision making.

Topics may include reporting frameworks such as TCSI, AVETMISS, HERDC, SDR, PBRF, EPI and other key compliance and external reporting requirements across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

This is an informal, peer-led session designed to encourage open conversation and practical knowledge sharing. Members are encouraged to bring examples, questions and current challenges from their own institutions to help shape the discussion.

Together, we will explore what is changing, what is working well, and where additional collaboration and support may be needed across the sector.

This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen professional connections, stay informed on sector developments, and learn from colleagues working in similar roles across Australasia.

What to expect

• discussion of current compliance and reporting challenges
• sector updates and shared experiences
• practical insights from peers across institutions
• opportunities to ask questions and exchange ideas
• stronger connections within the Institutional Reporting SIG

Pricing:

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)

THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAAIR. A RECORDING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

AAIR Forum 2026

25–27 November 2026

Albany, New Zealand

See You in Aotearoa!

We’re excited to share that the 2026 AAIR Forum will be hosted at the beautiful Sir Neil Waters building at Massey University’s Albany campus in Auckland, New Zealand.

The AAIR Forum brings together professionals from across Australasia working in institutional research, planning, analytics, business intelligence, quality, strategy and higher education data to connect, learn and share ideas in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We are currently finalising the program, themes and event details, and we look forward to sharing more information soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to save the date and start planning to join colleagues from across the sector for what promises to be an engaging and inspiring event.

The 2026 Forum will provide valuable opportunities to:

• connect with peers across Australasia
• explore emerging trends and challenges in higher education
• share practical insights and case studies
• strengthen professional networks and capability

Call for abstracts

The 2026 AAIR Forum will invite abstracts across a range of key themes, including thought leadership, data-informed decision making, load planning, benchmarking, surveys, reporting, and analytics.

Presentation formats will include:

• 40-minute oral presentations or workshops
• 15-minute quick round presentations

Registration fees snapshot

Presenters will receive a registration discount, with authors of accepted 40-minute presentations eligible for $50 off their Forum registration.

We are also pleased to welcome Explorance as our Platinum Sponsor for the 2026 AAIR Forum.

Further information and submission details will be released soon, with the call for abstracts and registration opening shortly.