Student data ‘at risk of misuse in university performance audits’

Australia’s universities must develop stronger ethics policies to govern the collection and use of student data, a University of Melbourne discussion paper has said.

The paper warns that while collecting data about student activities can offer opportunities to improve learning and teaching, there is a risk that it could be used as “a blunt tool” for performance evaluations.

“There is an obligation that educators and institutions ensure that data and analysis techniques are used appropriately,” the paper says.