How PhDs Shape Higher Education From the Inside: Careers in Institutional Research & Strategy

Have you ever wondered how universities use research and data to make decisions? Did you know that your research training and disciplinary perspective can contribute to addressing some of the challenges facing higher education today?

If these questions resonate with you, institutional research may be a career path you’ll want to learn more about. This field brings research and analysis into the heart of university decision-making. Institutional researchers collect and interpret data, place evidence in context, and communicate insights that help institutions better understand their students, programs, and priorities. As higher education navigates a changing landscape, this work plays an increasingly important role in helping universities make thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions.

Join us for this session of our PhD Pathways Series “Researching the University: How PhDs Shape Higher Education From the Inside” with Lily Svensen, Director of Yale’s Office of Institutional Research (OIR). We’ll explore the questions institutional researchers investigate, the skills and perspectives that researchers from different disciplines bring to the field, and pathways into a career in institutional research.

With Yale’s OIR currently hiring, this is also a timely opportunity to hear directly from a hiring manager about what she looks for in candidates, learn more about current opportunities at Yale, and ask your questions about pursuing a career in institutional research.

About the Series: PhD Pathways is a monthly speaker series designed to support GSAS students and postdocs in exploring a broad range of career paths. Each session features alumni and professionals highlighting how PhD training can translate into meaningful, impactful careers across a wide array of sectors.