Dear {Contact_First_Name}, 2023 Australian
Statistical Conference (ASC) and Australian Conference on Teaching Statistics
(OZCOTS) is approaching is fast: only a few more weeks before we’ll
gather in Wollongong for SSA’s signature event for statisticians and data
scientists. The 2023 conference is significant in that we will be doing several
things for the first time:
- For the first time since I can remember are we holding an ASC
at a university, rather than a hotel or specialised conference centre.
- For the first time in at least 15 years, we are organising
an ASC in-house, without the help of a professional conference organiser.
- For the first time we are offering childcare to all delegates.
- For the first time our conference is preceded by a podcast relating
to the conference (please see below).
- For the first time we are running an ASC as a hybrid event.
While most of us will attend the conference in person, delegates have the
option of attending online.
All indications are that it will be an excellent event. We
had a terrific response, and the Local Organising Committee and Scientific
Program Committee are delighted with the number of registrations so far
received. Registrations close on 27
November 2023, so get your ticket now so you don’t miss out!
The conference organisers and I can’t wait to see you
there! |
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Read this newsletter in your browser. |
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Notice: The SSA office will be closed on Monday, 13 November 2023. |
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Insights and inspirations: Unveiling statistical journeys at the SSA NSW Branch's event for students and early career statisticians
In September the NSW Branch of the SSA held a gathering at the University of Sydney's Courtyard Café, attended by over 40 students and featuring six industry speakers. The lively event, with food and drinks setting the stage for animated conversations, was sponsored in part by the Susquehanna International Group and initiated by Yunwei Zhang and Jeffery Kwan. |
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Rui Shen awarded the Dennis Trewin Prize for 2023!
SSA Canberra is delighted to announce that Mr Rui Shen from the ANU is the winner of the 2023 Dennis Trewin Prize! Rui received $1,000 and a one-year complimentary student membership in the SSA for his presentation titled: |
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"On the Estimation and Selection Consistency of Network Autoregressive Model: A Non-asymptotic Viewpoint".
The Dennis Trewin Prize, named after the former Australian Statistician, is an award for early career research in statistics or data science conducted within the ACT or regional NSW. Following a competitive shortlisting process, two applicants were selected to present their research in front of a live audience and a selection panel. Both applicants had interesting and engaging presentations that evoked a lively barrage of comments and questions from the audience.
We would like to thank the participants for sharing their research, Dennis and the selection panel for their deliberations on the day, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for their continued sponsorship of the Prize.
Nicholas Erskine
on behalf of the SSA Canberra Branch Council |
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Latest episode of the The Random Sample podcast out now! |
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The latest episode of The Random Sample is out, and we feature the SSA Horizon Lecture awardees for next month’s ASC&OZCOTS 2023 Conference. |
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SSA Advocacy Working Group
One of the three main strategic priorities in the SSA’s Strategic Plan is to
“Enhance the public profile of statistics and data science”.
A specific priority with an associated project was identified:
Amplify statistical voices in public discourse.
Initiate an Advocacy Working Group to enable the SSA to react to public conversation strategically and swiftly. The group will monitor public discussions, pinpoint opportunities for engagement, and assist in crafting responses.
At the October meeting of the Executive of the SSA, the creation of the Advocacy Working Group was approved.
Terms of reference
1. To support the SSA, and especially the President, in making timely contributions in matters of public interest that have a key statistical dimension. The aim is to make it feasible to make an SSA statement, such as a press release, public comment, or submission to an inquiry, in a strategic and timely manner.
a This support could be of various forms, including a willingness to be a sounding board for the SSA’s views or advice, to ensure balance and propriety in the response offered, by meeting online at short notice, or responding to emails from the President.
b. It will be assumed that this support cannot be guaranteed by the whole group in a specific instance, and that there will be flexibility in availability for this purpose.
2. To meet as required, and at least twice a year, to workshop items for potential public statement and discussion, which do not require urgency but for which an SSA contribution would promote engagement and enhance the voice of statistics.
a. To assist in crafting actual responses by providing comments and feedback for prepared material.
Composition
The Group will consist of:
The President;
Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-President ex officio, meaning that they can contribute as they wish and as their other commitments permit;
Four members selected by the President;
Four members from the Branches.
This is where you come in! Are you someone who gave feedback to the Strategic Plan process that the SSA should be more responsive and active in advocacy and public comment? Would you like to volunteer to contribute? If so, please email me at president@statsoc.org.au .
I look forward to a large mob of potential volunteers.
Ian Gordon
President
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Expression of Interest (EOI) for Presenter for SSA CPD Courses/Workshops 2024
Are you interested in sharing your expertise and skills in hosting and presenting a workshop for the SSA?
Do you feel you have something to share with the SSA Community?
If so, please register your interest here.
Upon receipt, the SSA CPD coordinator will review the interests, including title or area, proposed presenter’s experience, and the alignment thereof with SSA’s and its branches’/sections’ course and workshop demand and will be in touch with you accordingly for further arrangement and moving forward if the EOI is chosen.
Thank you! Tasadduq Imam
CPD Coordinator |
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Be a tech hero: Volunteer for ASC 2023 parallel session support
We are looking for volunteers to help with tech support for parallel sessions during the 2023 ASC conference. The responsibilities include:
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To load slides for the session and run pre-talk check
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To provide computer support and to set up Zoom connection
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To control Lights and air conditioning when necessary
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To liaise with personnel in charge on the day if there is any problem
Training will be provided and volunteers will receive a token of appreciation for their contribution. We require that volunteers commit to a minimum of one full day of availability.
If you would like to express your interest, please send an EOI, including your availability to Pauline (poshaugh@uow.edu.au) by Friday, 10 November 2023. If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please feel free to email Pauline. If you know someone else could be interested, please pass on this email. |
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SSA Mentoring Program:
Application deadline extended until 13 November!
The application form is available via the SSA Mentoring website. |
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Statistical Consulting Network Monthly Meet-Up
24 November 2023, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM AEDT, held online
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 help each other out with problems that they aren’t sure how to deal with. This virtual meeting is held on Zoom at lunchtime on the last Friday of each month, 12:30-1:30 PM (AEDT). 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 |
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ASC and OZCOTS 2023 Social Events
Early Career and Student Statisticians Network ASC Social on 12 December 2023, held at the Illawarra Brewery’s outdoor terrace at WINN stadium. The ECSSN is organising a social get-together during the ASC2023! They are inviting students, early career and more senior statisticians to join them a lovely beach view and network with like-minded people you might not see very often, plus have some fun, nibbles, and drinks!
Statistical Conference Dinner on 13 Dec 2023, at the Grand Ballroom at the Sage Hotel. Just minutes from the beach, come and join us for a three-course dinner. (You register on the same page as the conference registration page)
OZCOTS 2023 Social on 14 Dec 2023, at Lucia's by the Sea, next to the Novotel Hotel. The OZCOTS committee invites you to come and join them for a lovely meal and catch-up at a beautiful beach front venue. |
Childcare available at ASC&OZCOTS 2023, but you need to book ahead!
We are offering low cost onsite childcare to anyone attending ASC&OZCOTS2023 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through licensed childcare Abracadabra. The cost is $60 per child per day or $150 for all three days, the room is in building 11 (same as keynote presentations). There will be age appropriate activities for all children attending. Parents/guardians will need to pick up children for a brief lunch.
Find out more. |
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Step by Step in Survey Weighting
15 Feb 2024 (AEDT) – 7 Mar 2024 (AEDT), held online- live 1 hour sessions on Thursdays at 6pm AEDT
The Social Research Centre and the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) are very proud to offer statistical training from the International Program in Survey and Data Science (IPSDS), a joint program of the University of Mannheim and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Places are limited, please register early to take advantage of early bird discounts and secure a place.
About the course:
Step by Step in Survey Weighting is a statistical methods class that combines hands-on applications and general review of the theory for survey weighting giving participants the necessary tools to calculate analysis weights for various survey designs in a real-world setting. The course will focus on methods to solve practical problems while providing overview of the theory for the underlying assumptions. Weekly homework problems are included to reinforce learning and provide opportunity to apply methods in practice. Participants are encouraged to discuss their own weighting challenges and solutions during weekly online meetings. Click here for more details ______________________________________________________________Introduction to Big Data & Machine Learning
6 Feb 2024 (AEDT) – 27 Feb 2024 (AEDT), held online
The Social Research Centre and the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) are very proud to offer statistical training from the International Program in Survey and Data Science (IPSDS), a joint program of the University of Mannheim and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Places are limited, please register early to take advantage of early bird discounts and secure a place.
About the course:
The amount of data generated as a by-product in society is growing fast including data from satellites, sensors, transactions, social media and smartphones, just to name a few. Such data are often referred to as "big data" and can be used to create value in different areas such as health and crime prevention, commerce and fraud detection. Big Data are often used for prediction and classification tasks. Both of which can be tackled with machine learning techniques. In this course, we explore how Big Data concepts, processes and methods can be used within the context of Survey Research. Throughout this course we will illustrate key concepts using specific survey research examples including tailored survey designs and nonresponse adjustments and evaluation. For details click here.
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SA Branch: 2023 E.A. Cornish Memorial Lecture
15 Nov 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:15 PM (ACDT),Schulz 214/218 Lecture Room, Level 2 Schulz Building, North Terrace Campus at The University of Adelaide.
Held every two years, this lecture is the highlight of our Branch’s speaker program. The 2023 lecture will be presented by Professor Julie Simpson on the topic "Integration of statistical modelling and mathematical biology to improve the treatment of malaria." This presentation will outline an interdisciplinary approach using mathematical biology and Bayesian statistical methods, to determine optimal treatment regimens and how this work has informed WHO treatment guidelines for malaria.
Post-lecture dinner: For attendees who wish to join Professor Simpson and the colleagues at the Branch, a dinner will be held at La Buvette Bistro, 27 Gresham Street, Adelaide SA 5000. RSVP is essential as reservation spaces are limited. To confirm your attendance to the dinner, please email the Branch Secretary at statsoc.sa.branch@gmail.com by COB Monday 13 November.
Please register your attendance to the lecture with the Eventbrite link: https://tinyurl.com/3ktnmwyx ______________________________________________________________Events previously mentioned:
Surviving Grant Season: Lessons Learned & Practical Tips for NHMRC, MRFF and Investigator Grant development
14 Nov 2023, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (AEDT), online
To register click here.
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SSA WA November: Maintenance Policy for a Latent Degradation System (Dr Soudabeh Shemehsavar)
14 Nov 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (AWST), Room 360.3.002 (Innovation Hub in Boola Katitjin), Murdoch University
For details click here.
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SSA Vic & Tas Panel Discussion - Statisticians in Society
21 Nov 2023, 6:00 PM (AEDT), RMIT Building 15, Level 3, Room 10, 124 La Trobe Street Melbourne or online via Zoom
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NSW Branch: 2023 Annual Event: JB Douglas award, Annual lecture by Prof. Sally Cripps, Annual Dinner
22 Nov 2023, 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (AEDT), Cullen Room, The University of Sydney
To register click here and to register for the dinner click here.
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WA Branch End of Year Function
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2023, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (AWST)
Register here. |
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SSA Career Centre At SSA’s Career Centre, we understand the value of time and money in your recruitment process. That’s why we're here to showcase the myriad benefits our job board offers to help you discover your ideal candidate swiftly and efficiently.
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If you have news from the Australian statistical community to share in Stats Matters and Events, please get in touch with us! We love getting feedback too. |
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