SSA NSW Branch 2026 Annual Event: JB Douglas Award and Annual Lecture

The New South Wales Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia invites you to their Annual Event - the JB Douglas Award and Annual Lecture. The afternoon will begin with presentations from PhD students from across NSW as part of the JB Douglas Award, showcasing the depth, breadth and excellence of postgraduate research in statistics and related fields across the state, followed by the Annual Lecture by Dr Emi Tanaka, Australian National University (ANU). The Event will conclude with the Annual Dinner. 

Date: Thursday 19 November 2026

Times (AEDT): 

• 2:00 pm – 5:45 pm – JB Douglas Award presentations (with refreshment break)
• 5:45 pm - 6:15 pm - Refreshments and award presentation
• 6:15pm – 7:15 pm – Annual Lecture by Dr Emi Tanaka
• 7:15pm – Annual Dinner Separate registration required

Venue: Swissôtel, 68 Market St, Sydney

Format: In person

JB Douglas Award details will be provided soon.

Abstract: Shaping a Symbiotic Future for Statistics in the Age of AI: Culture, Practice, and Software Development

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as one of the most significant technological disruptors of contemporary society. It is transforming almost every aspect of our lives: how we generate and discuss ideas, gather and process information, write code and solve mathematical problems. Statistics, both as a discipline and as a profession, is no exception.

Bio: Emi Tanaka, Australian National University

Emi Tanaka is an academic statistician at the Australian National University (ANU). Her work spans experimental design, mixed-effects models and data visualisation, alongside open-source software development and the use of AI in agricultural analytics and statistical workflows. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the R Journal, leads the ANU team for the Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry Project, and is an Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute.