SDSS registration opens, nominations are open for the 2026 Don Owen Award and ASA Fellow Award, a new Statistical Storytellers group is forming, and updates from ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein are online.
statisticians
Erasing the Gap Between Statistics and Imaging: A Q&A with Marina Vannucci
SDSI, the ASA’s new open-access journal led by Marina Vannucci, is building a dedicated home for statistical imaging research and interdisciplinary collaboration, with early efforts focused on visibility and special issues.
Two Ideas to Support and Reward Data Collectors
Data collectors are undervalued, and two key solutions—systematically tracking data with proper citations and DOIs and creating awards to recognize data stewardship—would better support and reward those who make high-quality data possible.
‘Practical Significance,’ Take Two: The Data We Need: The State of Federal Statistics
Two veteran leaders in federal statistics, Nancy Potok and Connie Citro, discuss with the “Practical Significance” hosts the urgent challenges facing US statistical agencies and their work with the ASA on assessing agency health and advancing modernization of the federal statistical system.
Statistics in History: Dry Month January
Statisticians from Henry Gellibrand to R. A. Fisher have long applied and developed key statistical methods using problems from brewing, winemaking, and other alcohol-related contexts.
Meet New ASA Members: Spotlight on William Brown
This month, the American Statistical Association is highlighting new member William Brown, who mixes a love of music, hiking, and marathon running with data to help students thrive at New Mexico Junior College. Check out the full list of new ASA members, too!
NCES: Perspectives, Insights, and Recommendations from Former Leaders
Former NCES leaders explain how chronic staffing, contracting, and bureaucratic barriers undermined the agency’s ability to produce timely education statistics. They offer practical recommendations for rebuilding a stronger, more agile NCES.
WSDS Panel Held on Invisible, Mental Health Disability
A panel at the 2025 Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference explored invisible and mental health disabilities in statistics, ADA protections, and strategies for creating more inclusive workplaces.
University of Nebraska Regents Vote to Eliminate Statistics Department
In December, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted to eliminate its statistics department, prompting faculty to raise concerns about flawed evaluation metrics; lack of shared governance; and significant impacts on students, research programs, and faculty careers.
Data for Good Challenge List: Top Issues and Actions for 2026
The 2026 Stats4Good Challenge List highlights key areas such as pandemic preparedness, deforestation, local data rescue, displaced scientists, and conflict zone analysis for impactful data projects.