Date: Monday, May 19, 2025
The latest installment of the COPSS-NISS Leadership Webinar Series focused on Leadership in Statistics and Societal Impact, bringing together a distinguished panel to explore how statistical leadership can address critical societal challenges. The session featured two eminent statisticians, Sir Bernard Silverman and Professor Peter Song, who shared insights from their rich careers in research, policy, and mentorship.
COPSS Leadership in Statistics Webinar
The event was opened by Anru Zhang, Associate Professor at Duke University, who introduced the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) Emerging Leadership Academy Award and outlined the series’ mission: to foster dialogue around leadership, innovation, and the real-world impact of statistics. The session included personal storytelling and an engaging Q&A, drawing connections between statistical science and public good.
Renowned Statisticians Discuss Research Impact
The featured speakers were Sir Bernard Silverman, former UK Chief Scientific Advisor and pioneer in computational statistics, and Professor Peter Song, biostatistics expert at the University of Michigan known for his impactful work in public health and data integration. Their combined accolades include a knighthood, the President’s Award, over 230 publications, and the mentoring of countless students and postdocs.
Mathematics in Real-World Applications
Sir Bernard recounted his transition from pure mathematics to applied statistics, emphasizing the synergy of computing and mathematics in solving complex problems. His work spans diverse domains, including material science and medicine, demonstrating the versatility of statistical thinking.
Career Journey in Policy Impact He shared pivotal moments from his tenure in government, particularly his role in estimating the prevalence of modern slavery—a project that significantly shaped UK policy. His reflections highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities, simplifying complex concepts, and maintaining openness to interdisciplinary work.
Reflections on a Statistical Career
Professor Peterson shared lessons from his 40-year journey, noting key collaborations and career transitions. He emphasized balancing research with practical applications and underscored the need for work-life balance and maintaining intellectual curiosity.
Research Impact and Policy Influence
Both speakers showcased their applied research contributions: Peterson's work on kidney pair donation systems and Silverman’s statistical methodology in human trafficking research. They stressed the importance of communicating findings clearly to influence policy and improve lives.
Enhancing Research Through Collaboration
Peterson spoke on strategic collaboration, time management, and the value of partnering with researchers from other disciplines. He offered a compelling example of a recent project that explored the potential for research commercialization through patents.
Building Effective and Motivated Teams
The speakers delved into team building and leadership, offering perspectives on fostering motivation, leveraging individual strengths, and cultivating environments that support creative problem-solving and innovation.
Advantages of Simple Analytical Methods
Echoing a shared philosophy, both statisticians advocated for simple, interpretable methods over overly complex models when tackling real-world problems. They noted that clarity, transparency, and relevance are key to impactful statistical practice.
Data Science and Statistics Integration
The webinar concluded with a discussion on the evolving relationship between statistics and data science. Sir Bernard encouraged statisticians to embrace data science as a complement rather than a competitor. Peterson described efforts at the University of Michigan to better align graduate training with data science demands, including industry engagement and interdisciplinary mentorship.
Recommendations
- Develop and share a white paper on curriculum updates to enhance student competitiveness.
- Invite industry representatives to participate in dissertation committees.
- Integrate more real-world problems and industry input into course design.
- Encourage students to master both simple tools and advanced methods.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and openness to evolving fields like data science.
Acknowledgements
We extend our deepest gratitude to Sir Bernard Silverman and Professor Peter Song for generously sharing their expertise, experiences, and vision for the future of statistics. Their thoughtful reflections and practical insights made this webinar truly inspiring. Special thanks to Andrew John for his thoughtful moderation and to the COPSS and NISS teams for organizing this event. Their continued commitment to fostering leadership and engagement within the statistical community is both timely and invaluable.
The webinar recording will be made available on the NISS YouTube Channel for those who were unable to attend live.