AI is everywhere in higher education data circles these days. Predictive models, natural language processing, even generative tools are being pitched as the future of insight and efficiency. And while there are genuinely exciting possibilities here, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: do we always need AI? Often, we don’t. Sometimes, a clean…
Back in late 2018, not long after I started working at Futureworks, I found myself at an IHE event chatting to a few members of the SROC committee. They mentioned they had some vacancies and encouraged me to apply, and I’m so glad they did. I officially joined later that year, and in 2019 I…
In higher education, there’s a group of professionals whose work impacts nearly every decision, every strategy, and every student outcome, but most people don’t know they exist. These are the “data whisperers” of higher education. While the rest of the institution focuses on teaching, research, and student life, data professionals quietly work behind the scenes,…
In an increasingly data-driven education landscape, visualisation is no longer just about making numbers look pretty—it’s about making them meaningful. As institutions gather more data than ever before, the challenge has shifted from collection to communication. How do we make the insights in our data visible, accessible, and actionable for the people who need them…
In today’s data-rich landscape, higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to make smarter, faster, and more evidence-based decisions. Whether it’s understanding student progression, enhancing the applicant journey, improving operational efficiency, or meeting external reporting requirements, the role of data is more critical than ever. Yet, while many institutions are collecting large volumes of data,…
Power BI is an essential tool for data analysis and reporting in the higher education sector, enabling universities and colleges to make data-driven decisions about student performance, enrolment trends, and funding allocation. However, users often find themselves asking: Should I use M Language or DAX? While both are powerful tools, they serve different purposes. In…
When the Data Futures Programme was conceived, it promised a more streamlined, timely, and efficient approach to collecting student data. The vision was a single, unified dataset collected three times a year, replacing outdated processes and enabling real-time insights for regulators. Yet, in 2025, we are left with none of these benefits. Instead, Data Futures…
