IRP at AIR Forum 2026

Georgia Tech IRP colleagues joined institutional research professionals from across the country at the 2026 AIR Forum in Washington, D.C. (May 26–29), engaging with peers on current trends and shared challenges in data, analytics, and institutional effectiveness.  

Two members of our team presented sessions that reflect current priorities in institutional research:

• Jason L. Wang co-led a panel session, Institutional Data Architecture: People, Structures, and Strategy, which through a lens of data leadership and professional development, explored how institutions can better align data systems, governance, and organizational structures to support decision-making. The session emphasized viewing data as an institutional asset and building relationships and integrated approaches that connect people, processes, and technology. 
  • Jason also facilitated an AIR-organized pre-conference workshop, I Have a New Job in Institutional Research…Now What? This informative and interactive workshop is designed for individuals who are new to the field of institutional research, reviewing the typical roles and responsibilities associated with IR, highlighting useful resources, and learning how to develop connections with others in the field.
• Samantha James co-led a discussion group, How Do I Say No? Discussing Strategies for Saying No to Stakeholders, focused on managing growing demand for data and analytics. The session addressed practical strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing work, and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships in resource-constrained environments.  

Beyond these presentations, the AIR Forum program highlighted key themes shaping institutional research today, including data literacy, analytics capacity, AI, and communicating insights for decision-making.  

Many of the themes from AIR Forum mirror the work underway within IRP today, particularly in data strategy, governance, and stakeholder engagement.