HEIR Conference 2026
'Using enhancement, compassion, analytics and data to enable institutional success'
We are delighted to announce that the 2026 HEIR Annual Conference will be taking place at Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom, from 3rd to 4th September 2026.
Can institutional research be both rigorous and compassionate? We think so.
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This September, join us at Abertay University for a 2-day, in-person conference to explore how analytics, enhancement practices, and compassionate approaches combine to drive real institutional success.
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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?
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Whether you're a planner, analyst, academic, student support professional or student, this conference will explore how bringing head, heart and data together strengthens both student outcomes and institutional resilience.
Conference Sub-themes
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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?
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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?
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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?
CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW OPEN
You can submit proposals to present a 20-minute presentation, 5-minute lightning talk/provocation or a poster. Details of these different session types are as follows:
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20 Minute Presentation
We welcome proposals for 20-minute presentations which will be followed by 10 minutes of questions and answers. The format is most suitable for work that has been completed. Presentations can be:
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Research focused or evaluated practice papers
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Results of implemented measure or strategies
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Practice focused approaches (Case Studies)
Presentation proposals should include a clear discussion of questions being addressed, relevance to conference themes, approach being used and outcomes or conclusions of research or practice.
Lightning Talk
We welcome proposals for 5 minute lightning talk. These sessions will be chaired by a member of the conference committee, and 4 presenters will share their 5-minute talks before delegates have 20 minutes to rotate around the stations before a final plenary discussion. HEIR 2026, and the city of Dundee, will be a place of discovery and design for conference delegates and this session type can provide dedicated space for presenters to demonstrate, share and educate delegates to try out your activities, tools and resources as a show and tell. These talks can be:
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Thought pieces
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Provocations on the themes
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Pitches of ideas for future research
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Calls for collaborations
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Presentations of preliminary results from works in progress
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Initiatives or projects
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Demonstrations of practice/platforms
These proposals must include discussion of the relevance to the conference themes.
Poster
Presenters will be allocated space for an A1 Poster (portrait orientation) and physical space to engage delegates. We would value proposals that address existing research, practice, evaluation and emerging ideas.
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A1 format in portrait orientation
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Poster presentations can address research, evaluation, policy, or practice and may be evidence-based with outcomes.
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Initiatives or projects presented with results illustrated with visual material
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Submissions close on Tuesday 28 April 2026