AI in Higher Education: What IR Professionals Need to Know
13 March 2026 (12–1 pm AEDT / 2–3pm NZDT)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitator: Ewa Seidel, Associate Director, Research Engagement and Success at Flinders University, and AAIR President
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education and institutional research. This AAIR member-focused event will explore how AI can be used responsibly, effectively and ethically in our work, while maintaining professional standards and trust.
Designed for institutional research and planning professionals, the session will focus on practical applications of AI, alongside important considerations around data governance, risk management and safe use in higher education contexts.
What we’ll cover
- Practical examples of how AI can support institutional research and decision-making
- Understanding risks, limitations and ethical considerations when using AI
- Safe and responsible use of AI in line with professional practice
- Supporting institutional integrity, data quality and informed decision-making
- How AI fits within AAIR’s commitment to professional competence, collaboration and ethical practice
Who should attend
This session is ideal for AAIR members working in institutional research, planning, analytics, data, governance and related higher education roles who want clear, practical guidance on using AI with confidence.
Why attend
Gain clarity, build confidence and learn how to approach AI thoughtfully and responsibly — with insights tailored specifically to the higher education and IR community.
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Business Intelligence & Analytics SIG ConvAAIRsation 1/2026
17 March 2026 (12–1 pm AEDT / 2–3pm NZDT)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
- Presenter: Phil Stevens, Client Executive | Higher Education Industry Leader, Altis Consulting
- Facilitator: Robert Wood, Manager, Business Intelligence, UNE, and AAIR Business Intelligence and Analytics SIG Chair
The session will explore practical solutions to common data management and analytics challenges facing higher education institutions. We’ll draw on real-world examples and industry best practices to provide actionable guidance on:
- modern data infrastructure and AI readiness – Examining whether institutions are still managing data warehouses or have invested in other architectures; showcasing platforms, medallion architectures, and standards like MortarCAPS that support better analytics
- power BI governance in federated models – Deep-diving into workspace design, report distribution processes, and governance frameworks; exploring cross-industry lessons that higher education can adopt
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Welcome to AAIR: Connect, Learn and Get Started
24 March 2026 (12–1 pm AEDT / 2–3pm NZDT)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitators:
- Stuart Terry (AAIR Immediate Past President), Organisational Researcher at Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand
- Lisa Bolton (AAIR Executive Committee member), 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 WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
From Whiting to Groper: A Scalable AI Framework for Growing Team Capacity
9 April 2026 (12–12:45pm AEST / 2–2:45pm NZST)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
- Presenter: Etienne Viljoen, Business Intelligence Manager at Charles Darwin University
- Facilitator: David Cawthorne, Manager, Government Reporting Transformation, CDU, and AAIR Executive Committee member
Join us for an inspiring and practical session with award-winning presenter Etienne Viljoen, Business Intelligence Manager at Charles Darwin University.
Fresh from winning Best Presenter at the AAIR Forum, Etienne returns with a clear, scalable framework for building team capacity through AI. Using a memorable fishing analogy, he will demonstrate how institutional research teams can move beyond manual processes and technical debt to create a more strategic, resilient and proactive data culture.
If you’re ready to reduce the daily grind, automate with confidence and grow capability step by step, this session will give you a practical blueprint for change.
Abstract
Institutional research teams are often caught in an endless tide of technical debt, where simply ‘treading water’ with manual processes is the norm. The mindset that there’s honour in this struggle is no longer sustainable. This presentation charts a new course, introducing a repeatable framework for using AI as a powerful current to build capability and navigate complexity. We’ll guide attendees on a scalable journey from Whiting to Groper, demonstrating how any team can start small and methodically grow its capacity through clear, progressive stages: from Whiting to Bream, Flathead, Jewfish, and finally Groper.
This step-by-step approach transforms a team’s focus from the daily grind to strategic innovation. It provides a clear pathway to systematically reduce technical debt, automate repetitive tasks, and build a resilient, proactive data culture. By mastering one level at a time, teams can turn murky, undocumented depths into a clear, accessible navigational chart, allowing them to get ahead of the swell and anticipate the next wave. Our talk is a blueprint for change. Attendees will learn how a small team, even with a junior crew, can use this framework to build momentum and achieve significant outcomes. This is a story of empowerment, demonstrating how a phased AI adoption strategy can help any team ride the reporting wave and land the big one.
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $75.74 (AUD$65 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.