Head and shoulders photo of Eva Seidel wearing a black business suit.

From the President

As we move through 2026, I’ve been reflecting on the commitments we set out in our AAIR Strategy and the tremendous progress we’ve made together.

This year has been defined by connection, capability building, and a renewed sense of shared purpose across our Australasian institutional research community.

One of our key strategic priorities was to build our community capabilities, and I’m proud of how intentionally we’ve delivered on that. Throughout the year, we hosted a wide range of online sessions – practical workshops, thought‑provoking discussions, and opportunities to share emerging practice. These sessions have become a cornerstone of how we learn from one another, how we stay connected, and how we continue to grow as a profession. Your participation, your questions, and your generosity in sharing your expertise have made these gatherings genuinely valuable.

Another priority was to provide our members a community to lean on, and I’ve seen this come to life in every conversation, every shared challenge, and every moment of support offered across our network. AAIR has always been more than an association – it’s a community of people who care deeply about evidence, insight, and the role we play in shaping the future of education. This year has reaffirmed that strength.

A particularly important focus for us in 2026 has been to nurture and grow our New Zealand community. With our Annual Forum fast approaching in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand – hosted by Massey University – this work has been both timely and deeply meaningful. It has been wonderful to see such strong engagement from our New Zealand colleagues, and I’m excited for the connections, learning, and shared experiences that will continue to grow from this.

Speaking of the forum, the momentum is building every day. We’ve received an impressive number of abstract submissions, and we’re excited to see registrations continue to come through. The enthusiasm for this year’s theme – Good systems enable good education – is palpable. It’s a theme that speaks directly to our collective mission by providing rich insight and evidence that underpin the decisions shaping teaching, learning, and strategy in our institutions. The program promises to be rich in learning, energising in its conversations, and, as always, a lot of fun.

Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash

Group of people celebrating. Some have their arms up in the air. There is a city skyline and late afternoon sky in the background.

I also want to acknowledge the strength and sustainability of our association, reflected in the high level of interest in nominations for the Executive Committee for the next two years. We have been fortunate to have an outstanding committee whose dedication has helped AAIR thrive. While we anticipate some departures, the calibre and enthusiasm of new nominees give me great confidence in our future. AAIR is in safe hands.

To our members: thank you. Thank you for showing up, for contributing, for engaging in the ongoing conversations that keep our community vibrant and relevant. My gratitude also extends to our Special Interest Group chairs, our Executive Committee, our observers, and the many helpers who contribute behind the scenes. You each play a part in making AAIR an association I am proud to be a member of.

Please enjoy this edition of the AAIR newsletter. I look forward to seeing you in Auckland and sharing what promises to be an inspiring and memorable annual forum.

Thank you again for everything you do, and please enjoy this latest, innovative edition of the AAIR newsletter.

Warm regards

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