With a PhD in statistical astrophysics, David Corliss is lead, Industrial Business Analytics, and manager, Data Science Center of Excellence, Stellantis. He serves on the steering committee for the Conference on Statistical Practice and is the founder of Peace-Work, a volunteer cooperative of statisticians and data scientists providing analytic support for charitable groups and applying statistical methods in issue-driven advocacy.

One of the most important ways the American Statistical Association supports work in Data for Good is through partnerships with other groups. The ASA collaborates with a variety of scientific organizations to promote shared work, create scientific and educational resources, establish funding for scientific research, and advocate for data-driven policy. These partnerships empower high-impact D4G projects, activities, and resources.

One of the most important ASA collaborations is with the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. NISS is an interdisciplinary research institute affiliated with organizations in academia, government, and industry. It falls into three broad roles: an institute providing experts to give neutral and objective reviews of policy and organizations, a research institute in statistical methods with applications in many areas, and a statistical collaborator for complex, interdisciplinary projects. NISS partners with many organizations—including the ASA, Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and International Biometric Society—and a number of leading statistics and data science university programs. NISS experts regularly present at ASA conferences, and their writing workshops for junior researchers are a valuable resource on a subject that too often receives too little attention in university curricula.

I cannot overstate the impact of NISS’s expertise, resources, and support for ASA activities. It’s something I can speak to myself, having benefitted from a cross-section of NISS programs. I first learned about NISS through interdisciplinary research in astrostatistics. Their webinars and other educational resources have been a valuable tool in my work in industry, especially for developing analytic staff. I have also benefitted from discussions with NISS leaders, especially director James L. Rosenberger, about the development and promotion of Data for Good.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is a world-leading organization for education and collaboration among scientists and the general public. It’s also a familiar home for many ASA members (although, as an astrostats person, it would be nice if the organizations I work with most could come with more than two letters for their names—ASA, AAS, AAAS, and SAS). Perhaps best known for publishing the journal Science, the AAAS’s mission is dedicated to science for the greater good: “To advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people. Advancing science, Serving society.” This makes the ASA’s partnership with AAAS especially important for the advancement of Data for Good.

This relationship is so important to the ASA that it formed a committee to promote it. The association’s Committee of Representatives to AAAS is composed of eight members, one for each section of the AAAS promoting aspects and applications of statistics. The ASA and AAAS collaborate on developing science policy, advancing the role of statisticians in scientific research, and encouraging ASA members to become involved in AAAS activities. With a mission dedicated to using science for the good of society, membership and participation in the AAAS is a wonderful way to increase the impact of your work in Data for Good.

The ASA also partners with statistical organizations and societies globally. Of the 13 societies participating in the Joint Statistical Meetings, the ASA is the only one focused on the US. The ASA charged its Committee on International Relations in Statistics with establishing and fostering international connections, developing activities and projects, and keeping ASA members informed about statistical opportunities around the world. Many of these activities have been featured in Amstat News, where a search of the archives will pull up articles about a variety of programs. It’s a great place to get inspiration for your next D4G project.

One interesting program from the Committee on International Relations is the Educational Ambassador Program, which sponsors statisticians from developing countries—usually two per year—to attend JSM and take what they have learned back to their home country to teach there. Members of the committee select different countries each year, allowing the program to serve statisticians from all over the world.

The ASA collaborates with a range of scientific organizations in which statistical uses and applications are important. One example is the Consortium of Social Science Associations, which advocates for social sciences at the federal level through support for social and behavioral sciences, funding, and promotion of data-driven policy to address critical issues facing society. The ASA is a COSSA member, promoting their work through the Science Policy Office and Scientific and Public Affairs Advisory Committee.

I had a chance to volunteer with COSSA to reach out to members of Congress in 2020. I represented the ASA and advocated for data-driven policy in data for good. I found working with COSSA as an ASA member a valuable experience that strengthened my work in legislative advocacy in data for social good.

Getting Involved
In opportunities this month, Imagine Grants from Amazon AWS offers substantial support for using cloud technology in D4G projects. Amazon is looking for registered 501c3 organizations to submit for funding “for pilot projects, proofs of concept, or existing programs that utilize technology in a new or expanded way.” Applications will be accepted through June 1.

Also this month, the end of the academic year is a good time to plan participation in a D4G summer research project. This isn’t only for academic researchers; industry, NGOs, and volunteers can partner with academic researchers on projects that make a difference for the good and well-being of all. The organizations described in this month’s column are a wonderful place to start!