AAIR is the professional association for institutional research practitioners in higher education and other institutions in Australasia. We have a number of principal objectives that include raising the level of professional competence and practice in the fields of tertiary education institutional research, planning and analysis in the Australasian region, and assisting the professional development of members.
As an association, we have a focus on supporting our members to be professional in our practice, and AAIR is an enabler for the work we all do to be considered professional.
I am currently in the midst of my studies for a Doctor of Professional Practice where I am looking at how professional staff (that’s basically non-teaching staff) create our professional identity.
For much of 2021, I have been undertaking a series of interviews with professional staff from different institutions who have captivated me with their story.
What has interested me most so far are the different interpretations people have on what a profession is and how someone demonstrates they are professional. In the current work environment, and the current tertiary education environment, the traditional view of what a profession is and who those professionals are is very different from the concepts at the turn of the 21st century.
This signals to me that the place and purpose of associations such as AAIR need to constantly evolve and adapt to ensure that they continue to be relevant and provide opportunities for current and prospective members. Internalising a strong professional identity and believing in what we do is valued, and of value, and is one way to support our own wellbeing. We now work in times of super complexity, and it has never been more important to embrace our own professional identity and be able to answer the question, ‘Who am I and what do I do?’
I encourage everyone to use the wonderful resources AAIR provides to support and build your professional identity, as we all ride these waves of organisational change and turbulence. One of those great resources is the AAIR annual forum. For 2021 we are creating an exciting programme over 6 and 7 December that will be bought directly to you. Please keep those dates free and register when registrations open shortly. Our theme this year is, ‘Get Your AAIR Booster Shot’.
Visit our AAIR events page for more information about AAIR events.
Noho ora mai
Stay well, look after yourself, goodbye
Stuart Terry
President, AAIR
Photo of keep things simple by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Photo of workers by Arlington Research on Unsplash
Read the July/August 2021 AAIR newsletter Right Here, Right Now!
