This is Statistics Widens Reach
New profiles include Obama campaign data chief
Since its launch at the 2014 Joint Statistical Meetings, the This is Statistics (TiS) website has averaged more than 3,000 unique visitors per month and its five videos have been watched nearly 50,000 times. The number of likes on its Facebook page is approaching 5,000, and the Twitter account has 2,600 followers. Still, the public relations campaign aimed at making students aware of the benefits of taking a statistics course (or courses) and the opportunities a career in statistics offers is in its early stages. Much work remains to be done to reach students and those who help influence their educational and career decisions.
New profiles, news stories, and videos were added over the last several months. The profiles incorporate statisticians and data scientists, including Rayid Ghani, the Obama campaign’s data chief. Recent news stories center on the demand for statisticians and the growing number of students taking statistics courses and/or seeking statistics degrees. Several videos also were released, including videos produced by ASA student chapters and a professionally produced video featuring Megan Price of the Human Rights Data Analysis Group. The communications firm executing the TiS campaign—Stanton Communications—also pitched many stories to the media about the tremendous growth in statistics degrees and the demand for statisticians.
In addition to keeping the website fresh with new profiles and news items, new activities including more direct outreach to teachers and counselors are planned for 2016. ASA President Jessica Utts also has an initiative—“Statistics Careers for AP Statistics and other K–12 Classrooms,” chaired by ASA Board member Anna Nevius—that is already advising on how to better reach high-school students.
Share the TiS resources with your networks, especially students, parents, teachers, and counselors.
The newest materials for This is Statistics include the following:
Profiles
- Detroit Fire Department Statistician Cassie DeWitt
- Georgetown Professor Kimberly Sellers
- Obama Campaign Data Chief Rayid Ghani
- Pegged Software Data Scientist Shannon Cebron
Video
News Stories/Press Releases
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