2015 Roger Herriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics

Nominations are being sought for the 2015 Roger Herriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics. The award is intended to reflect the special characteristics that marked Herriot’s career, including:

• Dedication to the issues of measurement
• Improvements in the efficiency of data-collection programs
• Improvements and use of statistical data for policy analysis

Herriot was the associate commissioner of statistical standards and methodology at the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) when he died in 1994. Prior to his service at NCES, he also held several positions at the U.S. Census Bureau, including chief of the Population Division. Soon after his death, the Social Statistics and Government Statistics sections, along with the Washington Statistical Society, established the Roger Herriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics. The award is intended to recognize individuals or teams who, like Herriot, develop unique and innovative approaches to the solution of statistical problems in federal data-collection programs.

The award is not limited to senior members of an organization, nor is it to be considered for a culmination of a long period of service. Individuals or teams at all levels within federal statistical agencies, other government organizations, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and the academic community may be nominated based on their contributions. As innovation often requires or results from teamwork, team nominations are encouraged. Team innovations often are more lasting, resulting in real paradigm shifts, not just one-off improvements. For an example, see the 1998 Herriot (team) award.

The recipient of the 2015 Roger Herriot Award will be chosen by a committee comprising representatives of the ASA Social Statistics and Government Statistics sections and the Washington Statistical Society. Herriot was associated with, and supportive of, these organizations during his career.

The award consists of a $1,000 honorarium and a framed citation, which will be presented at a ceremony during the Joint Statistical Meetings in August. The Washington Statistical Society also will host a seminar given by the winner on a subject of his or her choosing.
Nomination packages should contain the following:

• A cover letter from the nominator that includes references to specific examples of the nominee’s contributions to innovation in federal statistics. These contributions can be to methodology, procedure, organization, administration, or other areas and need not have been made by or while a federal employee.
• Up to six additional letters of support that demonstrate the innovation of each contribution.
• A current vita for the nominee with contact information. For team nominations, the vitae of all team members should be included.
• Completed packages must be received by April 1. Electronic submissions in a Microsoft Word or PDF file are encouraged.

The committee may consider nominations made for prior years, but it encourages resubmission of those nominations with updated information.

For more information, contact Fritz Scheuren, chair of the 2016 Roger Herriot Award Committee, at (202) 320-3446 or Scheuren@aol.com.

Ellis R. Ott Scholarship for Applied Statistics and Quality Management

The Statistics Division of the American Society for Quality is offering $7,500 scholarships to support students who are enrolled in, or are accepted into enrollment in, a master’s degree or higher program with a concentration in applied statistics and/or quality management. This includes the theory and application of statistical inference, statistical decision making, experimental design, analysis and interpretation of data, statistical process control, quality control, quality assurance, quality improvement, quality management, and related fields.

The emphasis is on applications as opposed to theory, and students must attend a North-American institution.

During the last 17 years, scholarships totaling more than $250,000 have been awarded to 48 students.

Qualified applicants must have graduated in good academic standing in any field of undergraduate study. Scholarship awards are based on demonstrated ability, academic achievement, industrial and teaching experience, involvement in student or professional organizations, faculty recommendations, and career objectives.

Application instructions and forms can be downloaded. Forms for the 2015–2016 academic year will be accepted until April 1.

Members of the governing board include Susan Albin, Lynne Hare, J. Stuart Hunter, Tom Murphy, Dean V. Neubauer, Robert Perry, Susan Schall, and Ronald Snee.

For more information, contact Hare at lynnehare@verizon.net.

Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award

The ASA is accepting nominations for its 2015 Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award (ESRA). ESRA honors reporters who display an informed interest in statistical science and its role in public life through their work. ASA members can nominate a reporter (or a group) for the honor. Award criteria, submission instructions, and a nomination form are available on the website . The nomination deadline is March 1.