More than 2,000 higher-education professionals from around the world are headed to central Florida to hear about the latest advancements in technology, techniques, and services that support institutional research.

Organization: Association for Institutional Research

Conference: 2018 AIR Forum

Venue: Rosen Shingle Creek

City: Orlando, Florida

Following preconference sessions on Monday, the 2018 AIR Forum kicks off Tuesday afternoon with Impact Sessions, interactive discussions focused on a wide range of emerging and important issues affecting  attendees. Also worth noting:

Welcome feedback. The Forum Advisory Group provides feedback on key aspects of the meeting. Members participate in online or email surveys, which cover topics such as educational content, networking, and social events, as well as other Forum activities. They also serve as pilot testers for registration, website content, and the Forum app.

Community impact. The meeting’s Love of Learning Book Fair is a community service project for the host city’s Tangelo Park Elementary School. AIR is partnering with Rosen Hotels and Scholastic Book Fairs to donate at least one book to each of the school’s 700 students. Attendees can visit the book fair in the exhibit hall to purchase one of 100 titles handpicked for these students. For every book purchased, one will be donated.

Weapons of math destruction. In her closing keynote, Cathy O’Neil, a data scientist and New York Times bestselling author, will expose the mathematical models that will shape the future. These “weapons of math destruction” score teachers and students, sort resumes, grant (or deny) loans, evaluate workers, target voters, set parole, decide who gets a job, and monitor health.

Check out Twitter (#airforum2018) for other meeting details.

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