Learning and Events
AAIR has made its best effort to find and publish events relevant to the AAIR community, and makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this events page. If you wish to register for any of the events listed, you take full responsibility for your actions. AAIR shall not be held liable to any party for any damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this material, which is provided as is, and without warranties. All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose.
18th International Conference on Data Science and Institutional Research (DSIR 2025)
13–19 July 2025
Kitakyushu, Japan
The IIAI International Conference on Data Science and Institutional Research (IIAI DSIR) serves as a global forum for sharing research, practices, and theories focused on the management of higher education and research activities. With growing emphasis on quality assurance and global competitiveness in academia, the conference highlights the increasing importance of institutional research and data science in shaping educational strategies and decision-making. It welcomes contributions from researchers, students, administrators, and executives in higher education. Topics include educational big data, research management, institutional performance analysis, data visualisation, quality assurance, and learning outcome assessment.
Trending BI Front Ends and Back Ends: A Tech Landscape Update
17 July 2025 (12–1pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitator: Lester DSouza, Manager, Government Reporting, UTS
Technology evolves rapidly. In this session we’ll discuss practical concerns about tool choices and architecture that are crucial for BI professionals building and maintaining systems. This keeps members up-to-date with current industry trends in BI tooling.
Some of the topics we’ll discuss include:
- Front-end deep dive: Focus on leading visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, Qlik Sense – including their latest features and integration capabilities), and potentially niche tools for specific analytical needs.
- User experience (UX) and data storytelling capabilities of these tools.
- Back-end architectures: Discussion on cloud data platforms (Azure Synapse, AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery, Snowflake), modern data warehousing concepts (data lakehouses), and tools for data integration and transformation (ETL/ELT).
- Data mesh/fabric concepts: Brief overview of emerging architectural paradigms that impact front-end and back-end integration.
- Security and governance: How security is managed across the modern BI stack.
- Interactive element: Poll attendees on what tools they currently use/are considering.
The aim is to facilitate a discussion on pros and cons based on real world experiences. Basically, a ‘day in the life of a dataflow through a modern stack’.
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $52.77 (AUD$45 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Share Your Story: Projects, Dashboards & Discoveries
29 July 2025 (12–1pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitator: To be confirmed (Could this be you?)
*Seeking expressions of interest to facilitate this session*
We are excited to announce that we are seeking volunteers to run a Show and Tell session on 29 July 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for both members and non-members (who can attend for free if they present) to express their interest and engage with colleagues from various universities.
Do you have something you’ve worked on and would love to share with others? Perhaps you’re looking for fresh ideas or feedback on a particular piece of work? Whether it’s a new analysis, report, project, model, or dashboard, we encourage you to bring it to the table. There are no restrictions on the topics to be discussed, so feel free to showcase any institutional research you’ve been involved in.
Simply attend the session, facilitate the discussion, and enjoy a chat with your colleagues.
If you are interested in running a Show and Tell session, please email us an Expression of Interest by clicking the button below.
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $52.77 (AUD$45 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Institutional Reporting (formerly Government Reporting) Special Interest Group 2/2025
14 August 2025 (12–1pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitator: Don Johnston, AAIR Institutional Reporting SIG Chair
We invite you to register for our upcoming Institutional Reporting (formerly Government Reporting) special interest group session.
Please let us know what other burning topics you would like to discuss during this session.
More information will be provided soon.
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $52.77 (AUD$45 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Mind Over Survey: Leveraging Behavioural Insights to Increase Participation
19 August 2025 (12–1pm AEST / 2–3pm NZST)
Online
LIVE WEBINAR
Facilitator: Cassandra Saunders, AAIR Surveys and Evaluation SIG Chair
Guest presenter: Professor Swee-Hoon Chuah, Director, Tasmanian Behavioural Lab (Professor of Behavioural Economics, University of Tasmania)
Swee-Hoon will be speaking about the principles of Behavioural Economics and how they can influence behaviour by understanding the psychology behind people’s choices, with a specific lens on how they can be applied to boost survey respondent engagement.
Why do so many surveys go unanswered in higher education? Despite our best efforts, response rates often remain stubbornly low. This interactive session will explore how behavioural insights can help us understand the psychological barriers that lead people to ignore surveys. Together, we’ll explore simple, evidence-informed strategies to make participation easier, more appealing, and more timely. Join us to learn how to design smarter surveys that fit real human behaviour.
* This session will include interactive polls. Participants will need to have their mobile phone handy. *
Pricing:
- Members: FREE
- Non-members: $52.77 (AUD$45 + GST + booking fee)
THIS IS A LIVE WEBINAR AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
EAIR Forum (European Higher Education Society)
27–29 August 2025
Utrecht University, Netherlands
This forum covers institutional research, strategic planning, and quality in higher ed across Europe, and brings together researchers, science leaders, young academics, policy-makers, administrators and practitioners.
25th Annual SEAAIR Conference
15–17 September 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Theme: Education Forward
Sub-Themes:
- Transforming Pillars of Education
- Renewing Teaching and Learning: Practice and Policies
- Digitization of Education
- Sustaining Education Quality Assurance in the Digital Age
- Driving Faculty and Students’ Well-Being Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
From networking with peers to presentation sessions by leading experts in the field, the annual conference is the must attend event for academics, educators, researchers and practitioners in higher education.
Leading Innovation Summit
24–27 March, 2026
Sydney, NSW
Lead the Future—Don’t Just React
Innovation isn’t optional—it’s essential. At the Leading Innovation Summit 2025, discover practical strategies to spark change and build a culture of innovation that lasts.
This year’s summit focuses on real-world tools, fresh thinking, and bold ideas to help leaders like you challenge the norm and drive meaningful progress. From emerging tech to transformative business models, you’ll connect with global innovators who are reshaping industries.
What to Expect
The program highlights groundbreaking organisations and the strategies behind their success. You’ll gain actionable insights to inspire innovative thinking and lead with impact.
This is your opportunity to engage with trailblazers, explore bold ideas, and walk away ready to create the future—not just adapt to it.
AIR Forum 2026
26–29 May 2026
Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C.
The AIR Forum, the annual conference of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR), is the largest global gathering of higher education professionals working in institutional research, assessment, planning, and related postsecondary education fields. This conference includes more than 300 presentations by colleagues and thought leaders representing all sectors of higher education and an Exhibit Hall featuring the latest tools and resources to support data use for decision making.
AIR Forum presents a unique opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, and learn from practical workshops and sessions led by the field’s leading experts. AIR Forum is the must-attend event for both seasoned and early-career professionals.