The Joint Statistical Meetings isn’t just one of the largest gatherings of statisticians and data scientists on the calendar. It’s also a major event for using statistical science to promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. JEDI researchers, students, and advocates from across the spectrum will gather in Nashville August 2–7 to share recent studies and emerging methods; make connections; and advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through and within the analytics community.
One of the greatest aspects of JSM is the number of organizations participating in the event, including many dedicated to serving specific communities. These include the International Chinese Statistical Association, International Indian Statistical Association, Korean International Statistical Society, and Caucus for Women in Statistics and Data Science. Check them out in the community table area of the EXPO if you are represented by one of the groups to get ideas for reaching out to other communities of which you are a member. Also, all these organizations sponsor or co-sponsor JSM sessions, so make sure to attend one.
The ASA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Outreach Group is cosponsoring three sessions this year. On Sunday at 4 p.m., the focus is on education in invited session #486, New Possibilities in Statistics Instruction. Then, on Monday at 8:30 a.m., the ASA Social Statistics Section, ENAR, and JEDI will present Modern Statistical Methods and Applications That Enrich Society. This session has something for everyone. Attendees will learn about emerging methods that can be applied to a wide variety of important problems. On Wednesday at 2 p.m., JEDI is teaming with the Committee on Scientific Freedom and Human Rights and Section on Statistics in Epidemiology for a session on displaced and refugee populations. Organized by Sahar Zangeneh from RTI, the session stems from a CSFHR initiative on analytics to support refugees led by longtime justice advocate David Banks.
This is a challenging time for many DEI programs and teams in the United States. JSM will highlight how diverse groups are rising to meet today’s challenges.
With so much to see and do at JSM, it can be helpful to plan. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to do a dozen things at once, and the rush can leave you exhausted. In developing your own JSM program, be sure to include down time each day. Also, go to the meetings for sections and other groups that interest you. The papers will be there when you go home, but the in-person experiences can’t be replaced. If you have a particular goal, such as talking with the author of a paper or leaders in an organization, be sure to block out time for it. Include a couple of hours to visit the EXPO. With time included for networking and rest each day, your plan will become an invaluable tool for a successful JSM experience.
JSM has much to offer beyond the conference in Nashville. The online program is available to everyone (and for many previous years, as well). You can mine the information there to find the latest in DEI research and methods. You can also find people working in your areas of interest and see how they are approaching the same problems. Searching the program will help you connect with the many ways the ASA supports DEI initiatives.
Each year, JSM marks the ending of the year past and the start of a new year, full of promise and opportunity. Whether you can attend or not, be sure to use JSM and its resources to open new doors for JEDI projects, connections, and advocacy.
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