Why attend?

Attending the 2026 CIRPA conference offers a range of professional development, networking, and career-advancement opportunities for data professionals in post-secondary education.

The key benefits include:

Professional Growth and Knowledge Sharing 

  • Access to Experts: Learn from keynote speakers, industry leaders and esteemed colleagues about emerging trends, such as data literacy and workforce upskilling.
  • Skills Development/Knowledge sharing on cutting-edge topics: Participate in workshops and concurrent sessions that cover technical topics like data visualization, using new technology for data analytics, predictive modelling for enrolment, and navigating ethical issues in IR.
  • Presentation Opportunities: Share your own research and projects to gain rapid feedback from peers and potentially win the Best Presentation Award.
  • Access to session presentations: Conference registration includes access to presentation materials, allowing attendees to review content after the event.

Networking and Community Building

  • Peer Connections: up to 4 full days of networking with colleagues, sponsors and exhibitors from across Canada who face similar institutional challenges in data analysis, policy development, and quality assurance.
  • Mentorship: Find mentors or mentees to talk through professional breakthroughs and frustrations.
  • Collaborative Environment: Connect with sponsors to see the latest tools and technologies available in the institutional research field.

The conference will include:

  • 4 keynote speakers
  • Concurrent sessions aligning to one of the 4 tracks
  • Post-conference workshops
  • Industry partners eager to discuss and showcase their products and services during the trade show
  • Countless networking opportunities from the moment you register until the moment you depart for home

We expect over 200 attendees representing professionals in institutional research, planning, data, and analytics at universities, colleges, polytechnics, research organizations, government and public agencies, and the private sector from across Canada.