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Nominees Sought for International Prize in Statistics

January 1, 2026

Nominations are now open for the 2027 International Prize in Statistics, a top honor recognizing individuals or teams whose work in statistics has made a major impact on science, technology, and society.

Continue Reading Nominees Sought for International Prize in Statistics

Additional Features

Anny-Claude Joseph

Drawn to math and real-world problem-solving, Anny-Claude Joseph earned a doctorate in biostatistics at Virginia Commonwealth University. Now, as a faculty member at Wellesley College, she mentors students inspired to pursue careers in public service.

Maria Tackett

From an early age, Maria Tackett felt a passion for math, particularly solving puzzle-like problems. Now an associate professor of the practice at Duke University, she mentors students and collaborates with them to reach their goals.

James McCune Smith

James McCune Smith was the first professionally trained Black physician to practice in the United States. Smith’s work pioneered the use of statistical evidence to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatments and dismantle racist claims of Black biological inferiority.

William Edward Burghardt (W. E. B) Du Bois

W. E. B. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard and one of the founders of the NAACP. He pioneered the development of sociology as a ‘scientific’ discipline, using sophisticated statistical methods and infographics.

Charles Bernard Bell Jr.

Charles Bernard Bell Jr. was a pioneering statistician elected as an ASA Fellow in 1970 and as an Institute of Mathematical Statistics Honored Fellow. Bell earned his doctorate in mathematical statistics from the University of Notre Dame in 1953.

Brittney Bailey

Brittney Bailey pursued graduate study at The Ohio State University, ultimately transitioning to a PhD program in biostatistics. Today, at Amherst College, Bailey advances research in mental health and aging.

Ott Scholarship Applications Open Until June 15

Applications are sought for the $7,500 Ellis R. Ott Scholarship for graduate students in applied statistics, quality management, and related fields.

Professional Opportunities

The National University of Singapore has postdoctoral positions.

‘STATtr@k’: A Starting Point

‘STATtr@k’ is the ASA’s hub helping students and early-career statisticians and data scientists launch their careers through internships, advice, resources, and community and visibility opportunities.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

SDSS registration opens, nominations are open for the 2026 Don Owen Award and ASA Fellow Award, a new Statistical Storytellers group is forming, and updates from ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein are online.

Erasing the Gap Between Statistics and Imaging: A Q&A with Marina Vannucci

SDSI, the ASA’s new open-access journal led by Marina Vannucci, is building a dedicated home for statistical imaging research and interdisciplinary collaboration, with early efforts focused on visibility and special issues.

Two Ideas to Support and Reward Data Collectors

Data collectors are undervalued, and two key solutions—systematically tracking data with proper citations and DOIs and creating awards to recognize data stewardship—would better support and reward those who make high-quality data possible.

‘Practical Signiﬁcance,’ Take Two: The Data We Need: The State of Federal Statistics

Two veteran leaders in federal statistics, Nancy Potok and Connie Citro, discuss with the “Practical Significance” hosts the urgent challenges facing US statistical agencies and their work with the ASA on assessing agency health and advancing modernization of the federal statistical system.

Statistics in History: Dry Month January

Statisticians from Henry Gellibrand to R. A. Fisher have long applied and developed key statistical methods using problems from brewing, winemaking, and other alcohol-related contexts.

Highlights of the November 21–22, 2025, ASA Board of Directors Meeting

The ASA Board’s November 2025 meeting covered bylaw updates, a new headquarters lease, and JSM 2030 plans, along with reports on education, fundraising, and federal statistical system initiatives.

NCES: Perspectives, Insights, and Recommendations from Former Leaders

Former NCES leaders explain how chronic staffing, contracting, and bureaucratic barriers undermined the agency’s ability to produce timely education statistics. They offer practical recommendations for rebuilding a stronger, more agile NCES.

WSDS Panel Held on Invisible, Mental Health Disability

A panel at the 2025 Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference explored invisible and mental health disabilities in statistics, ADA protections, and strategies for creating more inclusive workplaces.

University of Nebraska Regents Vote to Eliminate Statistics Department

In December, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted to eliminate its statistics department, prompting faculty to raise concerns about flawed evaluation metrics; lack of shared governance; and significant impacts on students, research programs, and faculty careers.