He ritenga pai, he mātauranga pai
Good systems enable good education

We are pleased to invite you to the 2026 AAIR Annual Forum, taking place in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, from 25–27 November 2026. This year’s Forum will be hosted by Massey University at the Sir Neil Waters Building on its Albany Campus, on Auckland’s North Shore.

Our theme, He ritenga pai, he mātauranga pai – Good systems enable good education, speaks to the essential role that sound systems, processes and governance play in supporting good educational outcomes. It reflects the work of institutional research professionals across the sector, whose insight and evidence underpin the decisions that shape teaching, learning and strategy in our institutions.

The Forum brings together institutional researchers, planners, surveys staff, analysts and higher education professionals from across Australasia and beyond to share ideas, practical approaches and emerging insights for planning and decision-making. With a varied programme of presentations, workshops and opportunities to connect, the 2026 Forum promises to be both professionally enriching and a great chance to reconnect with the wider AAIR community.

We’re pleased to once again offer three presentation formats for the 2026 Forum:

• 15-minute Quick Round Presentations – this short-format presentation encourages concise, impactful delivery. It’s ideal for new presenters or those wishing to share focused insights or emerging ideas in a time-efficient format. Or, you may have a burning question you would like to ask forum delegates.
• 40-minute Oral Presentations – Traditional presentation format suitable for research findings, case studies, or thought leadership
• 40-minute Workshop Presentations – Interactive sessions designed to facilitate engagement, practical learning, and discussion

We encourage abstract submissions aligned to our 2026 themes:

• Equity by design: Advancing equity (ōritetanga) in access, participation and success (angitu)
• Navigating the AI horizon: Artificial intelligence (atamai horihori) in institutional research
• Building the informed institution: Leading with insight (mōhiotanga) and evidence (taunakitanga)
• Charting the course: Evidence (taunakitanga)-based strategy and delivery
• Shared standards (paerewa), stronger outcomes: Benchmarking for continuous improvement (whakapai tonu)
• When we listen (whakarongo): Informing learning (ako) and teaching through student voice and evidence
• Good practice in action: Enabling transformation (panonitanga) through institutional research
• The rules that enable: Accountability (haepapa), integrity (ngākau pono) and reporting
• Foundations for insight: Load planning, analytics and governance (kaitiakitanga)

AAIR is proud of the long-standing relationships we’ve developed with our sponsors and supporters, who continue to contribute meaningfully to the Forum and the wider AAIR community, including Explorance. We invite you to take the opportunity to engage with these valued partners throughout the event.

As the premier institutional research event in Australasia, the AAIR Forum offers a platform to learn from peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen your professional network. We look forward to welcoming you to Auckland for what promises to be an outstanding event.

The 2026 AAIR Forum Committee