HEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023 

Addressing Equity in Higher Education Through Institutional Research

This conference took place at Kingston University and highlighted the many ways in which institutional research, evaluation, and data analysis increasingly play a pivotal role in supporting, evidencing, and strengthening equality for all in the HE environment.

You can view a copy of the 2023 Conference programme here and for further information about key note speaker, presentations, and other information about this event, click here.

FREE ONLINE SESSION MAY 2023

2023 Empowering Data-Driven Insights: leveraging effective data governance to enhance institutional research capabilities

Our second free online lunchtime session of 2023 was held in May where we focused our attention on the importance of institutional commitment to strong data governance to support the work of institutional researchers.  

We heard from two experts, Andy Youell and John Britton, followed by a Q&A session chaired by members of our Planning Group, Paula Keys, University of South Wales and Aisling McKenna, Dublin City University.   

If you weren’t able to join us, view the recording here https://youtu.be/sNHGX5z2780

• Andy Youell – Executive Director, Digital and Regulation, University College of Estate Management – Andy has spent over 30 years working with data and with the systems and people that process it. After spells with PCFC and HEFCE he joined HESA in 1996. Andy became Director of Quality and Development in 1998 and assumed responsibility for the development of HESA systems. In 2013 Andy was appointed Director of the Higher Education Data & Information Improvement Programme (HEDIIP) which was created to reduce the burden and increase the value and accessibility of data and information about HE. HEDIIP created a new architecture for the HE data landscape which is now being implemented through the HESA Data Futures programme and the Data Landscape Steering Group. 
• John Britton – Consulting Fellow, Halpin Consulting – John is a consultant in the Education, Regulatory and Local Government sectors, and has a strong academic background in communications, governance and strategy.  He has significant expertise in data and analysis, having been a former member of the HE Strategic Planners’ Association Data Insight Group. He led the strategic planning processes at two universities and the 2019 HESPA UK ‘Strategic Planning Team of the Year.’

FREE ONLINE SESSION FEBRUARY 2023

Equality Charter Frameworks:  supporting the process and measuring impact through institutional research, data and evaluation. 

Case studies from:

• University of Brighton:  Institutional data and analysis: how to support the collation and analysis of required institutional data. Catherine Ramshaw, Equality and Diversity Adviser; Penny Jones, Insight Manager and Kieran Kelly, Senior Analyst, Evaluation & Policy Department.  
• Kingston University:  Developing a successful action plan: how to turn actions into good practice that makes a difference. Dr Ricarda Micallef, Associate Professor and Co-Chair Institutional Athena Swan and Dr Ali Al-Kinani, Associate Professor 
• University of Wolverhampton: Institutional Research and Evaluation: how to monitor progress and evaluate impact. Dr Ada Adeghe, Associate Dean Inclusivity and Dr Matt Horton, Evaluation Manager  

Presentations available below: 

Wolverhampton: https://youtu.be/SU_qci59cYw

Kingston: https://youtu.be/Pal8dQeh1Ms

Brighton: https://youtu.be/lR11DiszeqU

FREE ONINE SESSION MARCH 2024

Developing new Access and Participation Plans in English HEIs: data and evaluation  

This session focused on the new approach being taken by the English Higher Education Regulator, the Office for Students (Ofs), on regulating equality of opportunity and what that means for HEIs in England submitting new Access and Participation Plans (APPs) in 2024.   

We were joined by colleagues from three ‘Wave 1’ universities (Wolverhampton, Derby and Southampton) that submitted and gained approval for their new APPs in ‘Wave 1’. And focused on how IR, data analysis, and evaluation can support the development and enhancement of the new Plans.   

• University of Wolverhampton – Professor Phil Gravestock (Dean of Students and Education), Dr Matt Horton (Evaluation Manager) and Colin Gibson (Senior Planning Officer) 

• University of Derby – Dan West (Research and Policy Lead APP) and Jo Astley (Widening Access Manager)  

• University of Southampton – Dr Christian Hoggard, Senior Data Insight Analyst 

Watch the presentations below:

Developing new Access and Participation Plans in English HEIs: data and evaluation

HEIR Network: AoP Construction & Target Setting at University of Southampton

HEIR Network: Wolverhampton APP data analysis and evaluation

HEIR Network: APP Risk Assessment and Evaluation – Derby’s approach

FREE ONLINE SESSION JUNE 2024

Measuring Educational Gains in TEF 2023: how students succeed throughout their journey.

We heard presentations from two experts, Professor Dilly Fung and Professor Kristyan Spelman Miller, followed by a Q&A chaired by Phil Gravestock.

Presentations available below:

Educational Gains Explored, by Professor Dilly Fung (Emerita Professor in Practice, LSE): https://youtu.be/XCe3KF3FKRg?feature=shared

Educational Gains: an emerging case study, by Professor Kristyan Spelman Miller (PVC Education, Keele University): https://youtu.be/HXofJPba1pE?feature=shared

Full recording: https://youtu.be/sEBYDl3GBE0?feature=shared