Professional Development: articles for IR teams

Resources, communities, and learning paths for institutional research professionals.

Clema News and Updates: What's New for IR and IE Teams

A general news and updates index for Clema covering product launches, whitepapers, IR benchmark releases, conference appearances, and company news relevant to IR and IE teams in higher ed.

Clema Research Team · 4 mins read

IR Resources and Further Reading: Everything We Published in One Place

A single hub of every Clema guide, research paper, IR benchmark, conference list, podcast, book, and definitional framework the IR team should bookmark. Updated as new pieces ship.

Clema Research Team · 3 mins read

How to learn institutional research: certificates, courses, and free training

A directory of 25 ways to learn institutional research: graduate certificates, AIR professional development, free IPEDS and PDP training, executive programs, and self-paced courses, with formats, costs, and links.

Clema Research Team · 12 mins read

Data storytelling for institutional research: turning numbers into narratives

Data storytelling for IR teams: how to finish the sentence on a number, segment your audience by power and fluency, start with why, and use real federal datasets to turn institutional data into advocacy that drives decisions.

Wilson Bright · 10 mins read

Conferences Institutional Researchers in Higher Ed Should Attend in 2026

A guide to the 14 conferences IR professionals should consider in 2026, from AIR Forum to regional and data-focused events.

Wilson Bright · 12 mins read

What IR Experts Are Reading and Where They're Finding Community: A Resource Guide Built from 50+ Interviews

A resource guide built from 50+ interviews with IR professionals: the newsletters they read, the communities they trust, and where peer-to-peer learning happens.

Wilson Bright · 8 mins read

What IR Experts Are Listening to and Learning From: Podcasts and Books, A Resource Guide Built from 50+ Interviews

Part 2 of our resource guide: the podcasts IR pros listen to on their commute, the books on their desk, and the training programs they recommend.

Wilson Bright · 10 mins read