The History of EAIR

EAIR – The European Higher Education Society, is a unique international association for higher education researchers, practitioners, students, managers and policy-makers.

EAIR has established itself since its inception in 1979 as an association of experts and professionals interested in the relationship between research, policy and practice in higher education. EAIR has developed from its roots as a European version of the US-based Association for Institutional Research (AIR), widening its sphere of interest to policy at all levels, institutional, national and international.In 1989 EAIR became an independent membership organisation.

Although the initials refer to institutional research, EAIR formally added ‘The European Higher Education Society’ to its logo and then appended the strap-line ‘Linking Research, Policy and Practice’. This reflects the direction that EAIR has taken: it crosses boundaries between types of activities and seeks to cater for a mix of researchers, lecturers, students, administrators, managers and policy-makers. Crossing boundaries means sharing best policy and management practices, learning from peers; exchanging and reflecting upon research findings. At the same time, we actively seek partnerships with like-minded organisations and associations.