Keynote Speaker
Data is a powerful tool that can be used to derive evidence to inform decision-making. At the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT), we provide access to over 100 administrative datasets linked at the individual level, some dating back decades. The opportunity to derive evidence at the population level is, thus, unparalleled. Given established partnerships with many educational institutions, student populations can be followed longitudinally, prior to, throughout and following their post-secondary studies within the data. NB-IRDT researchers have used this data to conduct research to inform specific evidence needs of our partners focused on post-secondary students. I will share with you more about the tremendous opportunity offered by using linked administrative data, highlight some of our research focused on post-secondary students, as well as hope to intrigue you to envision your research within these data to address your evidence needs and inform your decision-making.
Speaker bio
Dr. Sandra Magalhaes is a Faculty Research Associate at the University of New Brunswick affiliated with the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT) and Department of Sociology. She received an undergraduate in Health Sciences and Biology and masters in Epidemiology from Western University and a PhD in Epidemiology from McGill University. She is a population health researcher with expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics and the use of population-level administrative data to derived research evidence to support evidence needs of decision-makers in New Brunswick. She is currently leading policy relevant research in collaboration with the Departments of Health and of Environment.
Keynote Panel: Leadership in Institutional Research and Planning: Evolving Careers in a Dynamic Landscape
This panel session explores the critical role of leadership in institutional research and planning, particularly in the context of rapidly changing educational environments. As institutions adapt to emerging challenges, institutional leadership becomes paramount. Panelists from a number of institutions each with a deep background in Institutional Research and Planning will discuss the necessary skills and competencies for effective leadership in institutional research and offer their thoughts on the future of the discipline.
Garry Hansen, Director of Institutional Research and Planning (retired), St. Thomas University
Garry Hansen recently retired as the Director of Institutional Research and Planning at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. A member of CIRPA-ACPRI since 2004, he has presented at numerous conferences on such diverse topics as data governance, the Maclean’s reputational survey, automating enrolment projection, and IR office integration. Garry was co-chair of the 2011 CIRPA-ACPRI conference in Fredericton and served two terms on the Board of Directors of CIRPA-ACPRI as a member-at-large. He holds a BA (Honours) in English from St. Thomas University and an MA in Literature from the University of New Brunswick, and attended York University as a SSHRC doctoral fellow. Currently, he is working as an independent consultant serving as the project manager for St. Thomas University’s strategic planning process.
Connie Phelps, Associate Vice President, Institutional Planning, Analysis, and Quality, Conestoga College
Connie Phelps brings 25 years of expertise in postsecondary research and consulting. Since founding the Office of Institutional Research and Planning at Conestoga in 2011, she has expanded it from a solo operation to a dynamic seven-person team. Additionally, she now oversees a 10-member Institutional Quality Management team. Before joining Conestoga, Connie began her consulting career with Academica Group in 1999, when the firm was a small three-person team. Over 13 years, she advanced to Vice President of Research, managing a team of 8-10 professionals. Connie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western University and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Waterloo.
Mike Krywy, Director Institutional Analysis and Planning, Red River College Polytechnic
Mike Krywy is the Director of Institutional Analysis and Planning at Red River College Polytechnic and former CIRPA President and Board Member. In addition, he was co-chair of the 2023 conference in Winnipeg and has presented at multiple conferences on a variety of topics, most recently related to data structure and business architecture. Mike has over 25 years’ experience in institutional research, market research, data analytics, and evaluation and has spent the last 17 years of his career in post-secondary.
We hope to see you in October!
CIRPA 2024 Conference Co-chairs
Stephen Blair Dove, University of New Brunswick
David Kilfoil, University of New Brunswick