Statistics without Borders Responds to Crises Around the World

A PhD in statistical astrophysics, David Corliss works in analytics architecture at Ford Motor Company while continuing astrophysics research on the side. He serves on the steering committee for the Conference on Statistical Practice and is president-elect of the Detroit Chapter. He is the founder of Peace-Work, a volunteer cooperative of statisticians and data scientists providing analytic support for charitable groups and applying statistical methods to issue-driven advocacy in poverty, education, and social justice.

In this new column for Amstat News, we will explore the world of Data for Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes that benefit our lives, our communities, and our world. Much of this work is done by volunteers who donate their time to contribute to the important and meaningful science supporting causes they care about deeply.

Statistical volunteering offers many benefits to the statistical professional—it will be one of the main subjects of these monthly discussions. However, the most important outcomes will never appear on a résumé, but only in the lives affected by the projects we perform. As statistical and data science professionals, the need for what we do every day on the job is great, but volunteers are still far too few. The Data for Good movement has grown so rapidly because it makes so much more than a good résumé; it makes a career by making a real and tangible difference in our profession, our society, and our world.

In recent years, volunteer work in statistics and data science has become much more common. Data for Good is a growing movement that has been embraced by individuals, companies, and professional associations. A number of organizations have sprung up to design and manage statistical volunteering projects, recruiting volunteers and connecting them with projects and organizations that will benefit from analytic support. This addresses a prominent need in organizations pursuing good causes: They often have data, but lack statistical skills and resources to perform analytics and cannot afford to hire highly skilled consultants. In these situations, statistical volunteers have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world doing the things we love the most.

One of the most prominent Data for Good organizations is Statistics without Borders (SWB), which is an outreach group from the American Statistical Association. This all-volunteer organization was established in 2008, making it one of the first Data for Good organizations. SWB offers free statistical consulting to governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Inspired by Doctors Without Borders and similar organizations, SWB is nonpartisan and secular, with much of their work supporting initiatives in the developing world. As with other Data for Good organizations, the nations and organizations SWB supports have data, but lack advanced analytic personnel and resources to leverage it.

Getting on the Statistics without Borders email list is the best way to stay in touch, as new projects can come up suddenly.

In response to a crisis, time is critical. In October, I was one of dozens who joined an SWB Data Dive to map hurricane damage in Puerto Rico. This rapid response event was well organized, user-friendly, and open to all, with participation from many first-timers.

SWB has more than 1,000 volunteers, including the professional sector working on a pro bono basis, academia, students, and retirees. While this is an outreach of the American Statistical Association, membership in the ASA is not required to participate in projects. As an international organization with projects around the world, SWB is especially in need of volunteers fluent in languages other than English and cultural experience and understanding beyond developed nations. In the United States, SWB is active at local and national meetings and conferences, which serve as a focal point for networking, reaching out to new volunteers, and presenting project results.

Another prominent SWB project addressed the needs for data collection in the wake of the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Jean Orelien, a public health researcher and a native of Haiti, noted the lack of organization in the early days of the response to the disaster. Realizing the impact data collection could have on improving outcomes, he contacted the American Statistical Association and Statisticians without Borders became involved. A team of SWB volunteers led by Orelian travelled to Haiti and conducted a survey. While most public infrastructure was badly damaged, cell phone service was still operational. A cell phone survey was used to conduct a survey of living conditions, especially sanitation and potential disease vectors. Returning to the United States to compile and process the data, the SWB team provided the database to governments and NGOs without cost. The anonymized data is publicly available for download from Statisticians without Borders.

Participation in the growing Data for Good movement with organizations like Statistics without Borders, through work or as individuals, provides opportunities to use our technical skills to support the projects and causes we care about the most. Come back to Amstat News each month to learn more about Data for Good projects and opportunities. Be inspired by people using statistical science to make the world a better place.