The ASA’s science policy activity has covered a variety of topics since the creation of the ASA’s science policy staff position 12 years ago. The responsibilities of the position are to raise the profile of statistics and statisticians in policymaking and to advocate for the interests of statisticians.
Policymaking
Government Statistics Section Announces JSM Program
The Government Statistics Section organized three invited sessions, including a panel on using multiple data sources for federal statistics; seven topic-contributed sessions, including an update on the US Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking; three roundtables; and more for this year’s JSM.
SAMSI Director Participates in Climate Change Research, Policymaking
Richard Smith, director of the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute, is participating on the Committee on Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Social and Political Stresses for the National Research Council.
Data Synchronization: Leveraging Existing Business Data to Better Measure the Economy
This month’s guest columnist, Adrienne Pilot of the Council of Economic Advisers, describes a major development for the federal statistical agencies. A carefully crafted proposal to Congress would allow the economic statistical agencies to better synchronize their business data, thereby allowing these agencies to improve their economic statistical data while still protecting confidentiality.
Report of the Visibility and Impact in Policymaking Workgroup
How can the ASA be prepared to speak about emerging policy issues? 2010 ASA President Sastry Pantula appointed a workgroup to find out. Here are the workgroup’s recommendations.