Institutional Research and Insight Analyst at The University of Notre Dame Australia
We started interviewing Francesca at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh, Morocco, and we concluded her interview while she was under her cat Dahlia.
1. What is your job title?
Institutional Research and Insight Analyst at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
2. Briefly, how would you describe your role in your institution?
I manage the QILT suite of surveys, overseeing all the quantitative analysis and presentations. I work closely with my colleague, Clare Andreallo, a fellow institutional researcher, on market benchmarking and environmental scans for new and existing programs, and I support the curriculum program review process by providing key analysis and insights. Together, we also conduct qualitative analysis of the QILT SES data. Through all our work, we give recommendations to inform strategy.
3. From your perspective, what will be the key skills, capabilities and knowledge required for institutional research moving forward?
A significant part of my role as an institutional researcher involves managing and building stakeholder relationships. My colleague Clare and I make it a priority to present our analysis whenever possible to ensure we communicate our insights clearly. We also hold scoping meetings before starting any analysis to tailor our work to the diverse needs of our stakeholders, and to make sure we are top of mind when future analyses are required. In essence, we view ourselves as mini project managers.
4. What do you believe will be the future priorities or emerging areas of interest for institutional research?
AI and machine learning are essential for our team’s growth and efficiency. How can we leverage these tools to automate repetitive tasks, such as free-text thematic coding of the SES qualitative data? By doing so, we can not only reduce the time spent on manual processes but also improve accuracy and scalability in our work.
5. What does being part of the AAIR community mean to you?
When I joined Notre Dame, I was completely new to the higher education community, having worked exclusively in the private sector. I didn’t know what to expect, but now, almost three years later, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive, approachable and collaborative environment. The way different institutions within this community come together to tackle common challenges is something I never experienced in the private sector. I’m excited for more opportunities to connect with the AAIR community in the future.
6. Complete this statement:
In my role, I can’t operate effectively without …
… my team! I’ve learned so much from them and have seen my skills grow significantly. It’s great to be part of such a collaborative and supportive group. They’re the best!
Francesca Casal
October 2024
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