Conference Theme
Enhancement, compassion, analytics and data: enabling institutional success
Can institutional research be both rigorous and compassionate? We think so.
We're challenging the sector to move beyond deficit thinking - using data not just to identify problems, but to understand what helps students thrive. How can our metrics capture diverse student experiences? How do we design systems and language to support student development? What does person-centred analytics actually look like in practice?
Whether you're a planner, analyst, academic, student support professional or student, we want to hear about your work and together exploring how bringing head, heart and data together strengthens both student outcomes and institutional resilience.
Conference Sub-themes
1. Transitions and outcomes
How do we support students and staff through critical transition points while measuring what matters? This theme explores the full journey - from student pre-entry through graduation and beyond, and staff onboarding through career development. How do we use data to understand diverse pathways to success? What interventions make a difference at key moments? How can compassionate, evidence-informed approaches improve retention, progression, attainment and outcomes across our whole community?
2. Curriculum and Enhancement
What does an evidence-informed approach to curriculum development and enhancement look like? This theme examines how we use data, student voice, staff expertise, and inclusive practices to design and deliver curricula that support diverse learners. How do we measure curriculum effectiveness beyond traditional metrics? What role does compassion play in assessment design, workload management, and feedback practices? How can institutional research inform innovative pedagogical approaches and staff development that enhance learning and teaching for all?
3. Learning environments
Beyond the physical classroom - how do we create institutional cultures, systems, and spaces that enable success for students and staff? This theme explores both digital and physical learning and working environments, from campus design to virtual platforms, from support services to professional and peer communities. How do we use analytics to understand how our community experiences our institutions? What does it mean to design compassionate systems and structures? How can enhancement approaches transform the environments where learning, teaching, and professional practice happen?
4. Institutional strategy and planning
How can our strategic use of data and analytics improve both institutional effectiveness and student and staff experience? This theme examines how institutional researchers support long-term planning, resource allocation, and sector positioning. How can compassionate approaches to forecasting and modelling account for diverse institutional contexts? What does enhancement-focused strategic planning look like? How do we balance competing priorities while ensuring our institutional strategies enable success for all?