Seth T. Lirette, an assistant professor in the department of data science at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, proposes it is time to loosen the reigns on the residential requirement for admission to PhD programs.

Michael Latta discusses how data scientists and statisticians can coexist, work to advance methods of understanding data, and perhaps practice science together.

Robert Parker writes about the article “Advocating for Ethical Guidelines Strengthens Statisticians, Data Analysts,” while Rochelle Tractenberg and George DeMartino respond.

Data science is the full-length mirror statisticians need to hold up in front of their discipline for a long time so they can examine how the field looks from multiple angles.

Within the statistics community, there is a debate about whether data science and statistics are distinct disciplines. This conversation about data science betrays an anxiety about our (statisticians’) identity.

Jay Devore, professor emeritus of statistics at California Polytechnic State University, writes this month about the value of membership in the American Statistical Association.

Murray Aitkin responded to Mark van der Laan’s piece, “Statistics as a Science, Not an Art: The Way to Survive in Data Science.” He agrees with van der Laan’s first issue—the role of consulting statisticians—but cites a different view on the role of statistical theory in the kinds of analysis statisticians use.

Michael Lavine and Christopher Tong offer their opinions about Mark van der Laan’s article, “Statistics as a Science, Not an Art: The Way to Survive in Data Science,” and van der Laan responds.

Joseph E. Bauer, director of survey research and evaluation at the Statistics and Evaluation Center of the American Cancer Society, praises March’s “spot on” Statistician’s View column.

Mark van der Laan looks at how statisticians can contribute to the world of Big Data and data science.