Latest News ~ Career Centre - SSA Events ~ Member Contributions ~ Other Events

Welcome to this edition of SSA eNews

This month, we're shining a light on our Member Contributions section — a regular feature that celebrates the people and stories behind our Society. In this issue, we’re proud to showcase a few of our Branch Presidents, who share reflections on their leadership journeys and what inspires their involvement with SSA. Their insights reflect the passion and commitment that continue to shape our community.

We’re also thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 SSA Top-Up Scholarships! These awards support exceptional postgraduate students in statistics and data science.

As always, we encourage all members to get involved. Whether it’s a recent achievement, event recap, publication, or personal reflection, your contributions help foster connection and visibility across SSA.

We also invite AStat-accredited members to consider joining the SSA Accreditation Committee. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the profession, support accreditation pathways, and help ensure the committee reflects the diversity of our membership. Details on how to express your interest are included below.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for the upcoming Australian Statistical Conference 2025, taking place in Perth from 1–5 December. Early registration is now open — don’t miss your chance to join us for a dynamic week of presentations, workshops, and networking.

And a quick reminder: the SSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) is just around the corner. Keep an eye on your inbox for details and documents, and we encourage all members to attend and have their say in the future of the Society.

Thanks for being part of our community — and enjoy this month’s updates!

Congratulations to Our 2025 Top-Up Scholarship Recipients

The Statistical Society of Australia is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Top-Up Scholarships, awarded to outstanding postgraduate students in statistics and data science. These scholarships are designed to support SSA student members who are pursuing research that contributes to the development or application of statistical methodology.

Each recipient has been awarded a $2,500 top-up scholarship, helping them further their research and professional development in the field.

We warmly congratulate the following students:

• Shih Ching Fu

• Mahdi Nouraie

• Nelson Chua

• Ika Wulasari – ABS-sponsored Top-Up Scholarship Recipient

Ika’s scholarship is proudly supported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as part of the SSA-ABS Partnership Agreement. Her research was selected for its contribution to advancing statistical methods in support of official statistics.

We look forward to sharing more about each of their projects in future editions of the newsletter. Keep an eye out for their research highlights and contributions to the statistical community!

To learn more about past recipients, click here.

With advances in AI and machine learning poised to revolutionize health research, Schiller’s foundational knowledge of coding and programming is a critical skill, Bedder said. “A lot of these computational models and mechanisms have these baked-in mathematical assumptions about how humans work and what they choose. Actually knowing how to apply these algorithms to questions of societal interest is really important.”

Data storytelling is redefining the way many businesses communicate by turning complex information into a clear, meaningful story to help people understand what the data says and why it matters. But not everyone is comfortable with the change. New research has unearthed a “data dilemma”.

Reminder: Upcoming SSAI & ASPAI Annual General Meetings

This is a reminder that the Annual General Meetings of the Australian Statistical Publishing Association Inc (ASPAI) and the Statistical Society of Australia Inc (SSAI) will be held — in that order — on:

Date: 28 August 2025

Time: 1:00pm to 1:30pm AEST

Location: Via Zoom

As notified on 5 June 2025, a special resolution to dissolve ASPAI will be put to members at the ASPAI AGM. This resolution has been endorsed by SSA and NZSA executive bodies.

The AGMs will be followed by a short 30-minute presentation, with speaker details to be announced soon.

Teresa Dickinson, PSM

Secretary, Statistical Society of Australia

Join Us at ASC2025 – Early Bird Registrations Now Open

The Australian Statistical Conference 2025 is shaping up to be a highlight of the year, bringing together leading minds in statistics, data science, and beyond. With early bird registrations now open, there’s no better time to secure your spot and start planning your conference experience. Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired at one of the most anticipated events on the statistical calendar!

Visit www.asc2025.net to explore the evolving program, keynote speakers, venue details, and important dates. ASC2025 offers a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage with leading research, and contribute to discussions shaping the future of statistics and data science.

We look forward to welcoming you in Perth this December — whether as a speaker, presenter, or attendee.

Help Us Plan: Expression of Interest for ASC 2025 Social Activities

As part of the ASC 2025 program, we’re planning a range of optional social activities for the Tuesday 2 December in the afternoon—a chance to explore, relax, and connect with fellow delegates outside the conference venue.

We’re currently gathering expressions of interest to help us estimate numbers and coordinate logistics. Activities may include:

Ziplining at Matagarup Bridge – $165

Experience Perth from new heights on a thrilling 400m zip line across the Swan River. Matagarup Zip+Climb is a unique adventure that starts with a bridge climb before launching into the sky.

More details

Matagarup Mini Golf – $25

Tee off at one of Perth’s best mini golf courses, set amongst native landscaping, sculptures and a scenic creek beneath Matagarup Bridge.

More details

Pinnacles Desert Stargazing Tour – $225

Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert. Watch the sunset over the dunes and enjoy stargazing under a clear, light-pollution-free sky.

More details

Rottnest Island Visit – From $85

Hop on a ferry from Perth or Fremantle to spend a free-roaming day on this iconic island. Keep an eye out for the friendly quokkas—the happiest animals on earth!

Ferry info or search Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast Ferries.

Swan Valley Wine Tour – From $95

Relax with an afternoon tour of the Swan Valley’s best wineries. Enjoy tastings of premium wines, local produce, and sweeping vineyard views.

Search for Swan Valley wine tours online – multiple providers and options available.

These activities are optional and will be at your own expense. Submitting an expression of interest will help us gauge demand and plan accordingly -there is no commitment required at this stage.

(This is not booking an activity– just an EOI)

ASC2025 Scholarship Applications – Opening 15 August!

The SSA is pleased to announce branch-supported scholarships to help students and early-career statisticians to attend ASC2025 conference. 

Applications Open: Friday, 15 August

Applications Close: Friday, 22 August

Results Announced: Friday, 29 August

Please note that most scholarships require applicants to have an accepted abstract, so don’t forget to submit yours by 15 June!

Applications Open: 2025 Betty Allan Travel Award

The Betty Allan Travel Award supports early career women and non-binary statisticians or data scientists working in Australia, helping them pursue travel opportunities that will advance their careers — including conference attendance or professional visits, anywhere in the world.

This national award honours Frances Elizabeth (Betty) Allan, CSIRO’s first statistician, who made foundational contributions to Australian statistics before her career was cut short due to the gendered laws of her time.

Eligibility:

Open to early career women or non-binary members of SSA and/or CSIRO staff working or studying in statistics, data science, or AI in Australia. “Early career” is defined as up to 10 years active in the field, with allowances for career interruptions.

Deadline:

11 July 2025, 4:00 PM AEST

Travel can take place any time within 12 months of the award.

Apply now and tell us how this opportunity will support your career development.

Access Form

Submit to: contact@statsoc.org.au

For more detailed information please view our website.

Branch Presidents in the Spotlight

In this edition, we're proud to highlight a few of the dedicated leaders at the helm of our state and territory branches. Our Branch Presidents play a vital role in shaping local engagement, supporting members, and representing the values of the Statistical Society of Australia.

We asked each President to reflect on what inspired them to take on a leadership role within SSA and to share a professional achievement they're especially proud of. Their stories offer a glimpse into the passion, purpose, and people behind the Society’s success.

We thank them for their ongoing commitment — and hope you enjoy getting to know the people behind the positions.

Luca Maestrini – ACT President

What inspired you to get involved with SSA and take on a leadership role in your branch?

I got involved to help strengthen the community of statisticians and highlight the value of our work across all fields. Stepping into a leadership role allowed me to contribute more directly, particularly by supporting the growth of our profession in the ACT and encouraging the next generation of statisticians.

What’s one professional achievement or project you're especially proud of?

I'm especially proud of our work on the Early Career and Student Statisticians Conference in 2021, which we organised online after the national conference was cancelled due to Covid19. It was the first time many of us, including myself, had planned a virtual event, and despite the challenges, we successfully created an engaging experience for early-career statisticians during a difficult time.

Lan Kelly

What inspired you to get involved with SSA and take on a leadership role in your branch?

I first become involved in the SSA by going to a few monthly meetings on interesting subjects, such as ecology. Later, when my children were older, I was able to become more involved in the SSA. Leadership doesn’t come naturally, especially juggling work and family; I was VP on two occasions and only become Branch President after the second time. I aim to create interesting events for local members to attend, encourage early career members and for non-members to learn more about statistics and the role of statisticians.

What’s one professional achievement or project you're especially proud of?

I was trial statistician for the CRISTAL clinical trial comparing two medicines (aspirin and enoxaparin) in preventing venous thromboembolism following joint replacement surgery. The trial had an unplanned interim analysis due to an unexpected death and was stopped early. The analysis incorporating the early stopping was tricky. Despite this, we showed that enoxaparin was superior to aspirin in preventing venous thromboembolism. The trial was finalist for the ACTA Excellence in Trials Statistics Award.

Alun Pope

What inspired you to get involved with SSA and take on a leadership role in your branch?

Two motives for joining the SSA stand out for me: I thought a society to represent the profession of which I was a new member was a Good Thing, so ought I to contribute if I could. Plus, as a new statistician I wanted to connect with others in the profession.

I joined the Canberra Branch in the early 1980s, moved to Newcastle in 1988 and became a NSW Branch Council member, then Treasurer, Secretary and President—successively, not simultaneously! I moved to Melbourne and was a Branch Council member there for a year or so, moved to Adelaide, where I was a Councillor for about two years, then to Perth where I was a Councillor and then President, and most recently to Melbourne again, where I am now President of the Vic&Tas Branch. For quite a few years I was a member of the Accreditation Committee and then also its Chair.

Yes, I would do it all again. I still think that professional societies are an important aspect of professional life and think it is important for more of our potential members to join. This may make joining sound like an altruistic act, which it is in a way, but that is not a bad thing.

As far as my second motive for joining goes, I can say that my experience of the Society has been overwhelmingly positive. For example, I always enjoyed the Accreditation Committee meetings: I was struck by how seriously the members took the responsibility of ensuring that standards were maintained while at the same time being eager to give second chances where necessary and to encourage and guide applicants through the process. The other thing was, it was fun at times, even though it was hard work!

And I have made a whole bunch of new friends through the Vic&Tas Branch Council since I moved back to Melbourne not really knowing anyone there.

What’s one professional achievement or project you're especially proud of?

I am particularly proud of leading a small team developing a hedonic property price index for a small financial services company. This involved estimating the price that a property would sell for, based on its location, last known sale price, size, etc, and validated against actual sales data. We did this for every property in Australia every day (whether it sold or not) enabling us to compute daily indexes at any level of detail. Apart from the size of the data involved (data extraction took 4 to 8 hours), challenges included checking data quality, handling weird situations in the data, explaining to users that while we could say what proportion of estimates we expected to be within 5% of realised sale prices, we could not say which properties would be in this happy position. Unfortunately, while I understand this work is still being used, I cannot say who by or how, for commercial-in-confidence reasons. It is quite frustrating not to be able to share this successful project with people! But so it goes—life in the commercial sector!

Last night, the Victorian and Tasmanian Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia hosted an insightful mentoring event for early career and student statisticians. Designed in a “networking speed dating” format, the evening allowed small groups of mentees to engage in rotating conversations with experienced mentors across various sectors of the statistical profession.

Participants gained valuable insights into the wide range of career pathways available in statistics, including roles in academia, government, healthcare, consulting, and industry. The mentors generously shared their experiences, offered practical advice, and provided thoughtful answers to the mentees' questions - helping attendees better understand how to navigate their own career journeys.

A huge thank you goes out to all the mentors who dedicated their time and energy to make the evening such a success. Your openness, wisdom, and willingness to support the next generation of statisticians were truly appreciated and made a lasting impact on everyone who attended.

The event was not only informative but also inspiring, leaving attendees with clearer direction, renewed motivation, and meaningful professional connections to carry forward in their careers.

Showcase Your Work in Our New Member Contributions Section

We’re excited to announce a new opportunity for our members to share their expertise, insights, and achievements with the wider Statistical Society of Australia community. The Member Contributions section in our e-newsletter is your platform to:

• Build a Stronger Community: Share your ideas and foster meaningful connections within the SSA network.
• Showcase Your Work: Highlight your research, articles, or professional achievements to inspire and inform fellow members.
• Amplify Your Impact: Gain recognition and visibility for your work among statisticians, data analysts, and industry leaders.

All submissions will be reviewed for potential inclusion in an upcoming edition of the newsletter. Whether you have groundbreaking research, a thought-provoking article, or news about recent accomplishments, we want to hear from you!

The Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) invites expressions of interest from AStat-accredited members to join its Accreditation Committee.

The Society is committed to ensuring that the composition of the Accreditation Committee reflects the diversity of its membership and the broader statistical community. We are seeking individuals from a range of sectors and areas of expertise to contribute to this important work.

Members of the Accreditation Committee play a vital role in supporting the professional development of SSA members by assessing applications for accreditation and promoting the value of professional recognition in statistics and data science.

Key Details:

• The committee meets approximately every six weeks via Zoom.
• Meetings are typically one hour in duration.
• Preparation time ranges from one to three hours, depending on the number of applications under review.
• Committee members are appointed for a three-year term, with staggered rotation to ensure continuity.

If you are interested in contributing to the work of the Accreditation Committee, please send an expression of interest along with your resume to contact@statsoc.org.au

We welcome your interest and thank you for considering this opportunity to support your professional community.

Everything That You Should Know About Quarto, But Did Not Know You Should Ask

Date: 11 Jul 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: In-person: University of Adelaide, Ingkarni Wardli (IW) Rm 5.57

Reproducible Reporting, Academic Papers, Presentations and Theses with Quarto

Date: 25 Jul 2025

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Location: Online

Introduction to Big Data & Machine Learning

Date: 26 Aug 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Time: Weekly 1 hour meetings taking place Tuesday

Location: Online

OceaniaR Hackathon 2025 

Date: 23 Nov 2025 

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Location: In-person only-The Australian National University. The Sciences Teaching Building, Building Number 136, 136 Linnaeus Way, Acton ACT 2601 

Submit a Paper for ICOTS 12 — Brisbane, 12–17 July 2026

The 12th International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS 12) will be held for the first time in Australia, right in the heart of Brisbane from 12–17 July 2026. SSA members are strongly encouraged to propose a paper to feature in one of the ICOTS 12 Main Topics.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the global conversation on statistics education, spanning research, practice, and innovation in teaching and learning.

Important Dates

Due date for Main Topic paper proposals: 31 July 2025

Notification of outcome: 30 September 2025

Due date for contributed and other paper proposals desiring refereeing: 31 August 2025

Acceptance by: 30 September 2025

An optional refereeing process is available for all accepted papers. Refereed papers will be published in the official ICOTS 12 Proceedings.

Due date for papers requesting refereeing: 30 November 2025

Referee reports returned by: 31 January 2026

Additional due date for contributed papers not desiring refereeing: 31 January 2026

Final papers for Proceedings due: 30 April 2026

Visit the ICOTS 12 website to explore the Main Topics (under Scientific Programme) and access submission guidelines.

Whether you’re focused on research, practice, or pedagogy, we invite you to share your work and help shape the future of statistics education.

Statistical Consulting Network Monthly Meet-Up

Last Friday of the month, 12-1 PM AEST. Come along with your thinking cap, maybe a problem, and some lunch! The Statistical Consulting Network invites you to their monthly meet-up, a virtual lunchtime meeting where statisticians can help each other out with challenging problems or just discuss topical issues.

This virtual meeting is held on Zoom at lunchtime on the last Friday of each month, 12-1 PM (AEST). We start each meet-up with announcements, or occasionally a special topic discussion, then discuss problems that attendees have brought along with them.

We also have a Slack workspace where members of the consulting network can communicate between meetings, or post problems or relevant materials they would like to discuss during a meeting.

Zoom link

Password: 660145

Slack Workspace link

Stay Connected – Follow SSA’s Official LinkedIn Page!

We’re excited to invite you to follow the official Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/statsocaus/

By following us, you’ll gain access to:

• Regular updates on SSA events and conferences
• The latest industry news and trends
• Exclusive career opportunities and professional development resources
• Member highlights and community insights

Stay informed, connect with fellow statisticians and data professionals, and be part of the growing SSA network. Follow us today!

The SSA Career Centre is your go-to platform for connecting statisticians and data scientists with prospective employers.

For Employers:
Advertise job openings to a highly targeted audience of statisticians and data professionals. Once registered, employers can:

• Post and manage job advertisements.
• Search for and manage prospective candidates.
• Create a detailed company profile to enhance visibility.

Advertising fees start at just $130, providing an affordable way to reach top talent.

For Job Seekers:
Boost your career with tools designed to help you stand out:

• Post your résumé anonymously for potential employers to view.
• Set up personalised job alerts to be notified when roles matching your criteria are advertised.
• Take advantage of our free résumé review service to refine your profile before uploading it.

Whether you’re hiring or seeking, the SSA Career Centre makes connecting easy and efficient. Register today to get started!

Whether you’re looking to sponsor an event, support a conference, or explore a long-term partnership, we’re excited to work with you. Collaborate with the Statistical Society of Australia to connect with our vibrant community of statisticians and data professionals.

Reach out to Jodi Phillips at events@statsoc.org.au to start the conversation and explore possibilities.