Statisticians have an important role in helping make evidence-based decisions in a world awash in data and should serve on expert panels, advisory committees, and commissions where their expertise can enrich collaborative deliberations. Members of the External Nominations and Awards Committee give tips for finding nominees and submitting nominations so more statisticians and data scientists can have a voice at the table when decisions are being made.

Be inspired by this new series! ASA members share their diverse experiences, meaningful connections, and the rewards derived from their engagement with the ASA.

The decade of statistics continued with robust growth in the number of statistics and biostatistics degrees awarded annually at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. According to the ­latest preliminary data release from the National Center for Education Statistics, bachelor’s degrees grew 13 percent from 2018 to 2019 to 4,472 (44 of which are for biostatistics) and master’s degrees increased 7 percent to 4,515 (768 for ­biostatistics). Doctoral degrees decreased by 4 percent to 688 (186 for biostatistics).

“My first JSM was in 1981, and I’ve been to every JSM since 1984. None of them have been anything like the 2020 meeting.” – JSM 2020 Program Chair David Banks

Pro bono—literally “for good”—service has become more common in statistics and data science in recent years. Often called “Data for Good,” this growing movement 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.

The American Statistical Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 ASA Data Visualization Poster Competition.

As Futurama’s Professor Hubert Farnsworth says in his catchphrase announcement of potential disaster, “Good news, everyone! The JSM is going virtual.” But JSM Program Chair David Banks thinks we can make it work.

The National Center for Education Statistics is facing a staffing and budget crisis. Important programs may be cut unless Congress and the Department of Education intervene.

In January—when COVID-19 sprang up in China and the world seemingly began to transform daily—statisticians, biostatisticians, data scientists, and epidemiologists went to work turning data into information people could use. Here are some of the ASA members who forged ahead during the crisis and provided direction based on sound statistical practice.

April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, and the ASA is launching a game development challenge and virtual science fair to celebrate.