Welcome

St Andrews quad with love hearts

The University of St Andrews warmly welcomes you to the 2021 Higher Education Institutional Research (HEIR) conference.

Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. Teaching began in the community of St Andrews in 1410, and the University was formally constituted by the issue of a papal bull in 1413.

Since the University’s foundation we have welcomed scholars from across the world to St Andrews to study, teachers to teach, and students to learn, a tradition that continues today, with more than 130 countries represented in the 2020-2021 student population.  Our fundamental goal has always been to attract and nurture the best staff and the most promising students from around the world, and provide an environment in which they can produce their best work for maximum societal benefit.

As a truly international and world-class university, our ambition is to be a beacon of inclusivity.  We are committed to respect and fair treatment for everyone, eliminating discrimination and actively promoting equality of opportunity and delivering fairness to all.  As a University, we aim to act ethically, transparently, sustainably, and for the wider public benefit at all times. This broad commitment to social responsibility and sustainability shapes our policies, practices, and respect for our environment. 

In our 7th Century we strive to be a World-leading, Entrepreneurial, Diverse and Global institute, living up to the University motto, ‘Ever to Excel.’  We are therefore delighted to welcome colleagues from the UK, Ireland and beyond to the University of St Andrews for the 2021 Higher Education Institutional Research (HEIR) conference on Inclusive Institutional Research.

The conference will provide a forum for institutional research enthusiasts and practitioners to share the best evidence-based ideas and practices in enhancing inclusive learning and teaching and management decision making within Higher Education.

On behalf of the members of the St Andrews HEIR Conference Organising Committee and the HEIR Network Planning Group we hope that you enjoy our conference and that the experiences you gain will contribute to increased inclusivity across UK and Irish higher education institutions.

Gerald Prescott

Associate Dean for Education (Science)

St Andrews HEIR Conference Organising Committee

Dhani McDiarmid (Professional Staff member) 

Eilidh Harris (Professional Staff member) 

Daryl Haynes (Professional Staff member) 

Jasmin Hinds (Research Fellow) 

Dharini Balasubramaniam (Academic Staff member) 

Ken Mavor (Academic Staff member) 

Ian Smith (Academic Staff member) 

Jon Issberner (Academic staff member) 

HEIR Planning group

Rachel Bowden (Co-Chair), Head of the Evaluation and Policy Department, University of Brighton

Matt Hiely-Rayner (Co-Chair), Director of Strategic Planning & Change, Buckinghamshire New University

Marthie Cronje, Head of Data Analytics & Insight, University of Southampton

Steve Woodfield, International education policy and research specialist at the British Council

Aisling McKenna, Director of Quality Promotion and Institutional Research, Dublin City University

Dr. Phil Gravestock, Dean, College of Learning & Teaching, University of Wolverhampton

Gráinne McDonagh, Head of Insights & Planning, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Dr. Gerald Prescott, Associate Dean for Education (Science), University of St. Andrews

Footnote: ‘Ever to Excel’ is taken from a speech in Homer’s Iliad,

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