We are pleased to invite you to the 2025 AAIR Annual Forum, taking place on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from 17–19 November 2025. This year’s event will be held at Rydges Gold Coast Airport, with Pre-Forum Workshops and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) hosted nearby at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast Campus on Monday, 17 November.

Our theme, From Beach to Benchmark – Surfing the Institutional Research Wave, draws inspiration from the coastal setting of the Gold Coast. It reflects the dynamic nature of institutional research in higher education, where professionals are continually navigating shifting tides of data, policy, and strategy to support informed decision-making across their institutions.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for institutional researchers, surveys staff, planners, analysts, and higher education professionals to come together to explore innovative practices, share challenges, and develop strategies that will help shape the future of the sector. With a diverse program of presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, this year’s event promises to be rewarding and professionally enriching.

We’re excited to offer three presentation formats for the 2025 Forum:

• New in 2025 – 15-minute Quick Round Presentations (limited)–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. Alternatively, you may simply 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 2025 subthemes:

• Tide Charts and Timetables: Load Planning in Motion
• Strategic Swells: Planning the Next Wave
• Beachcombing for Benchmarks
• Sunshine and Surveys: Reflecting the Student Voice
• From Ripples to Reform: Institutional Research in Action
• Coasting with Compliance: Riding the Reporting Wave
• Dashboards and Data: Surfing the Analytics Wave

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. 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 what promises to be an outstanding event on the beautiful Gold Coast.

The AAIR Executive Committee