AAIR Events

Understanding the Student Experience: A QILT Data Deep Dive

11 June 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Presenter: Angela Baker, Director – Education & QILT, Social Research Centre, Australia

Facilitator: Cassandra Saunders, (AAIR Executive Committee member and SIG Chair) Lecturer, Learning and Teaching at the University of Tasmania, Australia

This presentation explores how QILT survey data can be used to understand and improve the higher education student experience.

Using QILT Student Experience Survey (SES) data we employed regression modelling and behavioural segmentation to understand what drives teaching quality satisfaction and key factors linked to student attrition.

We also describe how commercial CX methodologies can be used to segment students to inform the design of student support initiatives.

The presentation summarises data-driven approaches that can be used to inform initiatives related to strengthening teaching quality and student success.

Pricing:

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

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

Better and Fairer: Public Data Insights on Equity and Access

19 June 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Presenter: Genevieve Goonan, Performance Business Partner, Victoria University

Facilitator: Lisa Bolton, AAIR Executive Committee member

This AAIR session focuses on what you cannot see in higher education data, the people outside, who do not make it to university, and the reasons why.

The Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) was established to drive reforms for a ‘better and fairer tertiary education system’ by raising equity participation and attainment, joining higher and vocational education, and the target for 80% of the workforce to have a TAFE qualification or a university degree by 2050.

Universities will need to engage with ATEC on these agendas, and growth now depends on understanding the challenges for increasing access for First Nations, low SES, and regional students.

This session will explore the range of public data that enables universities to see ‘that invisible barrier that stops a lot of Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds, from the regions and the outer suburbs from getting a crack at uni and succeeding when they get there’. (Education Minister Jason Clare)

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

22 June 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

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.

Data Governance – Networking, discussion and sharing ideas

26 June 2026 (12–1 pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)

Online

LIVE WEBINAAIR

Data Governance SIG

Facilitators:

• Louise Branch-Smith, Senior Analyst, Murdoch University
• Tanya Parker, Senior Lead, Data Governance, University of the Sunshine Coast

Data Governance is complex with many touch points. The University of the Sunshine Coast’s definition demonstrates the breadth of the topic:

Data Governance is the responsible management of an organisation’s data through defined policies, roles and standards. It aims to guarantee data quality, literacy, accountability, visibility, accessibility, protection, organisational and legislative compliance, and ethical responsibility.

Glossary of Terms for policy documents | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

With so many touchpoints, it’s possible that individuals across an organisation are unaware that they play a role in the success of governing data.

This inaugural session of the Data Governance Special Interest Group provides an opportunity for peers to extend their network, discuss and share ideas about what data governance means and its value to universities. The session will also capture ideas for exploration in future Data Governance SIGs. We plan to share case studies highlighting the impacts of missing or ineffective data governance.

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.