Submitted by David Manley
The Radical Statistics Group (Radstats) believes statistics can be used to support radical campaigns for progressive social change. Statistics should inform, not drive, policies. Social problems should not be disguised by technical language.
This is a rather grand statement, but it sits at the top of the Radstats website because it underpins the core values of what the group stands for. Statistics is one of the most powerful communication devices an organization, press group, or individual can be armed with. However, statistics are also easy to misrepresent, adjust, alter, or use to confuse.
Because of this potential for conflict, Radstats was formed in 1975 as part of the radical science movement associated with the establishment of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science (BSSRS). Members of the original organization shared a concern about the political implications of the work they did and an awareness of the actual and potential misuse of statistics in society. Today’s membership continues to hold this concern as an over-arching theme of the organization.
Radstats is a self-funded, independent organization with about 300 members, including 35 institutions. A key concern for members of Radstats is the extent to which official statistics reflect governmental, rather than social, purposes. In particular, they are concerned by the following:
- Mystifying use of technical language to disguise social problems as technical ones
- Lack of control by the community over the aims of statistical investigations, the way they are conducted, and the use of the information produced
- Power structures within which statistical and research workers are employed and that control the work and how it is used
- Fragmentation of social problems into specialist fields, obscuring connectedness
Unlike many statistical organizations, Radstats is not a professional or academic organization. Indeed, there is no entrance exam, and no professional qualifications are needed. Instead, it is open to all who want to join as long as they are committed to the principles outlined above.
The primary activity of the organization is the annual conference, which takes place this year on February 26 and is themed “Cuts and Corporations.” In addition to the annual conference, there is a discussion list hosted via JISCMail (which is free to join), and the group publishes three newsletters per year with wide-ranging articles. Radstats also has published a number of books on statistics and society and is always open to new and interesting suggestions for engaging with external groups. For instance, Radstats recently launched a blog for commentary on statistical issues of the day. For more information, including details of membership, visit the organization’s website.
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