ABSTRACT
This chapter discussed the key contribution the author received when interviewed analytics experts. The author explored what was motivating individuals working in the field, as well as what they perceive to be the main institutional drivers for learning analytics. Understanding the learning experience is not enough for most of the experts: they also want to do something to improve it, based on that understanding. A number of the experts are intrigued by data itself, as well as the potential for using it to enhance learning. Personalisation of the learning experience is mentioned by several of the participants. Several of the interviewees discuss the interdisciplinary nature of the field and how they find that particularly stimulating. Understanding the wide range of individual motivations of prominent researchers in the field is helpful, but there is often a tension between personal interests and institutional drivers.
