Dear {Contact_First_Name},
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About 18 months ago, our outgoing President asked me to consider becoming Vice-President of the Society. I had a little chuckle, and thought to myself - thank you, but no. Then I reflected on the leadership that I had been privileged to observe a little more closely in recent times from Ian Gordon, Jessica Kasza, and Adrian Barnett from my years of chairing the SSA Accreditation Committee. I then reconsidered Ian’s proposition, knowing there is a lot of support in our Society from others in the Executive, the Central Council, and the wider statistical community. So with some trepidation, I agreed. Organisations such as ours need people to play their part in whatever way they can, big or small. It’s how we can promote the value of our members and our profession more widely. I don’t need to tell readers that statistics is a terrific discipline, not least because of the people who work in the field!
For those members who don’t know me, I am an Associate Professor of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at The University of Adelaide, with a mixture of teaching, research, supervision, and administration (the latter always growing) in my role. Most of my career has been in applied biostatistics, mainly focussed on child health and, more recently, on evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination for limiting the occurrence of invasive meningococcal disease. I teach biostatistics in the University’s undergraduate Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences and Master of Public Health, and in the Master of Biostatistics, the latter through The University of Adelaide’s membership of the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia.
Along with my term as President commencing, there are multiple changes in our Executive team this year. We have welcomed Vanaja Thomas as our inaugural General Manager, and farewelled Marie-Louise Rankin when she retired from her role as Executive Officer after many years of exceptional service to the Society.
I’m sure members will join me in warmly welcoming Teresa Dickinson, PSM, as our new Secretary. Teresa will be well-known to the Australian statistical community. She is currently the Deputy Australian Statistician and leads the Data and Statistical Practices group for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a role she is stepping back from in the next few months as she transitions to retirement. We are delighted that she has agreed to become our Secretary. Her wealth of experience in leadership and governance will be extremely valuable for us as we work towards realising our Strategic Plan initiatives.
I recently pulled out the very first newsletter I received when I joined SSA, and several names leapt out from that March 1990 edition: Doug Shaw, one of the Newsletter Editors at the time, and Ian Gordon, who had given a talk to the Victorian Branch in November of the previous year which was reported on in Branch News.
Doug Shaw is stepping down after 20 years in his role as Secretary (after a host of other roles for the Society prior to this, including many years as Newsletter Editor). Twenty years! It has been amazing to watch Doug patiently support various members, me included, as they have taken on different roles in the Society over time. His encyclopedic knowledge of our Rules and Regulations, and the legal requirements that we must comply with as a Society, cannot be matched. He is a willing guide to all of us with positions on Central Council, and he is ever helpful in answering questions we might have about governance, processes or people – all of those behind-the-scenes things that help to make SSA ‘tick’. Doug has reassured us that he will support Teresa as she transitions in to the role, so he is not leaving us completely. Our most sincere thanks Doug for your incredible tenure as our Secretary!
Finally, grateful thanks to our departing President (and new Vice-President) Professor Ian Gordon. His responsive and thoughtful presidency, leading us in developing our Strategic Plan, carefully reviewing our existing structures and processes, and recruiting many members into various roles within SSA have laid a strong foundation to help us continue to adapt, thrive and grow. Our Society is so much richer for your service as President. Thanks Ian!
President |
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VIC/ TAS Branch Event On 20th August 2024, Dr Daisy Shepherd presented on "Causal machine learning in health research" for the SSA Vic branch. Daisy provided an accessible introduction to causal inference and machine learning methods, before describing the role of machine learning in causal inference and recent advances in the field. Much discussion was generated following the talk. Approximately 50 people attended the event, joining either in-person or online.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the SSA's service award to Prof Jessica Kasza for an exceptional and sustained contribution to the society. The award is very well deserved. Congratulations to Jess! |
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Partner with SSA Interested to partner with us from a simple event sponsorship, conferences to long-term collaboration, please reach out to Jodi Phillips at events@statsoc.org.au . |
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SSA Early Career & Student Statistician Conference
18 - 21 November 2024 | Perth | Hobart | Christchurch |
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Register for Your Spot!
We are excited to announce that registration is open for the ECSSC 2024! This event is a fantastic opportunity for students, early career statisticians, and established professionals to come together for mentorship, networking, and the exchange of innovative statistical ideas.
Conference Highlights
Keynote presentations
Workshop and panel discussions
Opportunities for presenting your own research
Early Bird registration close 14 Sep 2024 Registrations close 10 Nov 2024
We are especially dedicated to supporting students and early career statisticians by fostering a supportive environment where they can connect with mentors, share ideas, and receive guidance on their professional development. This is your chance to build valuable connections and gain insights that will help shape your future in statistics.
We look forward to seeing you at the conference! |
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Statistical Consulting Network Monthly Meet-Up
30 Aug 2024 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (AEST) | 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 (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 |
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Harnessing the Power of Predictive Analytics for Statisticians Presented by Our Sponsorship Partner Minitab
3 Sep 2024 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (AEST) | Online
Join Minitab for an illuminating webinar that delves deep into the statistical foundations of machine learning and showcases real-world case studies in predictive analytics. Explore the intricate world of data-driven insights and decision-making excellence through a statistical lens.
Throughout this session, Minitab will unravel the statistical essence of predictive analytics algorithms, emphasizing their practical applications and significance in the realm of machine learning. Witness how these algorithms leverage statistical principles to transform complex data into actionable predictions, enabling you to anticipate trends and make informed decisions.
Engage with captivating case studies and demonstrations featuring sample datasets that demonstrate the transformative power of statistical machine learning for example how statistical analysis can be used to predict solar energy output and prevent maintenance in industrial machinery. Gain a firsthand understanding of how statistical techniques drive the predictive capabilities of machine learning algorithms.
Additionally, we will highlight the seamless integration of statistical methodologies within the predictive analytics workflow, emphasizing the critical role of statistical thinking in maximizing analytical capabilities and unlocking the true potential of data. Register now to redefine research and development through statistical insights and perspectives. |
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South Australian Branch Young Statistician Careers Evening
4 Sep 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (ACST) @ University of Adelaide, Horace Lamb 422 (via Hub Central) & Online
The ‘Young’ Statistician Career Evening is hosted by the South Australian Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia. Professional statisticians from academia, industry and government will provide information on potential employment opportunities, and what it is like to be a statistician across a variety of work settings. For those who attend in person, we will provide refreshments before the talks, and you are very welcome to stay afterwards to network.
This is a FREE event that is designed for students or recent graduates who are considering a career in statistics. This event is open to members and non-members of the Statistical Society of Australia.
Speakers:
- Jason Eridani, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Kevin Mark, South Australian Research and Development Institute
- Jono Tuke, University of Adelaide
All attendees (in-person and online) are required to register by Sunday 1 September via this form (form contains link Zoom link for online attendees).
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SSA Vic
& Tas 2024 Social Event - Bowling
5 Sep 2024 | 6:00 PM | Kingpin Crown Melbourne (Crown Melbourne, 8
Whiteman St, Melbourne, AU 3006) and Belgian Beer Cafe (5 Riverside Qy,
Southbank, Melbourne, AU 3006).
The
branch's annual social event will be ten-pin bowling at Kingpin Crown Melbourne
(arrive by 6:15pm), followed by dinner at the Belgian Beer Cafe at 7:45 pm.
Register
for bowling. Dinner is at your own expense. You may also RSVP to be present at
bowling but not bowl (and have a drink). |
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Recent studies have shown that behavioural variables, such as attitudes, serve as significant predictors of travel mode choices. However, few transport models have effectively incorporated these variables, often relying on fuzzy estimations that limit predictive accuracy. This study employs exploratory factor analysis to identify key latent constructs influencing travel behaviour and uses structural equation modelling to examine the causal relationships of various latent variables and journey experience by different travel modes.
We analyse data from New Zealand residents across varying transport modes, demographic segments, and regional differences. Key factors affecting travel experience, including safety, value for money, and ease of use, are identified. Results indicate significant regional variances. This research highlights the importance of habit formation in transport decisions and recommends infrastructure enhancements alongside interventions that foster positive travel experiences to promote sustainable mobility. Our findings provide valuable insights for developing tailored transportation strategies responsive to New Zealand's diverse traveller needs.
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The New South Wales branch of the Statistical Society of Australia warmly invites all undergraduate, postgraduate and early career statisticians and data scientists to attend our annual event for Early Career and Student Statisticians on Thursday 19th September 2024 at 6 pm. The event will take place at The Bevery, the University of Sydney (entrance is through the Courtyard Cafe or the Holme Building, there will be guides on the day).
This year we have the pleasure of hosting a handful of inspiring early-career speakers and mid-career speakers, working in various industries. The speakers have been invited to share what they’ve learned, what they’ve achieved, what they’ve enjoyed and what surprised them, as well as, perhaps, what they don’t like, what they haven’t learned, and so on. We also have a number of senior industry speakers who have been invited to provide their sage advice, insights and general guidance to those interested in developing a fruitful career in the industry.
Each speaker will give a 5-minute talk, followed by a networking session. Catering and drinks will be provided at the event. There will be plenty of opportunities for attendees to approach the speakers and each other freely.
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Nationwide search for next Superstars of STEM
An Australia-wide search is on for the next stellar Superstars of STEM – the game-changing program that powerfully advances gender equity by turning a diverse group of scientists and technologists into highly visible media stars.
Since 2017 Superstars of STEM has created 210 science, technology, engineering and mathematics media stars. It is open to women and non-binary STEM professionals. The program is run by Science & Technology Australia, funded by the Australian Government, and supported by partner organisations Google and the Department of Defence
Since 2017 Superstars of STEM has created 210 science, technology, engineering and mathematics media stars. It is open to women and non-binary STEM professionals. The program is run by Science & Technology Australia, funded by the Australian Government, and supported by partner organisations Google and the Department of Defence
Science & Technology Australia Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Superstars of STEM Program Manager Sandra Gardam said the program is fundamentally changing public perceptions of what a scientist looks like.
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Unlock your potential at the upcoming Women in STEM Careers and Entrepreneurship Masterclass, hosted by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute and Western Sydney University. This exclusive event will take place from 21 - 23 October at the Parramatta City Campus, Western Sydney University.
Designed for women STEM researchers, this masterclass offers a unique opportunity to delve into Australia’s research commercialisation and innovation ecosystem. Gain insights directly from industry and university experts in research innovation, and hear success stories from researchers who have transitioned into leading roles in startups or R&D teams.
Who should attend?
If you are a STEM research student or an early to mid-career researcher, this masterclass is tailored for you. We especially encourage those who have participated in an APR Internship, funded by APR’s WISE program, to take advantage of available sponsorships covering accommodation and travel expenses.
Event Details
Time and Date: 9am - 5pm AEDT, 21 - 23 October 2024. Location: Level 9, Paramatta City Campus, Western Sydney University. Cost: $130 GA, Free for APR.Intern WiSE subsidy recipients.
Join us at the forefront of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney this October! |
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Save the Date 2024 ADSN Conference
We are excited to announce that this year’s ADSN Conference will be in Perth. The host organisation for the conference is the Curtin Institute for Data Science.
This year’s conference will be extended to three days, with the third day being industry-focused. It will also include a visit to the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre.
When: Mon-Wed, 2-4 December Where: Curtin University, Bentley Campus
Abstract Submissions and Registrations will open soon! |
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The International Environmetrics Society (TIES) is a non-profit organization aimed to foster the development and use of statistical and other quantitative methods in the environmental sciences, environmental engineering and environmental monitoring and protection. To this end, the Society promotes the participation of statisticians, mathematicians, scientists and engineers in the solution of environmental problems and emphasizes the need for collaboration and for clear communication between individuals from different disciplines and between researchers and practitioners.
All contributions related to environmetrics are welcome from across academia, research institutes, government, business and industry.
Key Dates:
| Deadline for Invited Paper Sessions |
15th July 2024 |
| Deadline for Contributed Papers |
15th Aug 2024 |
| Invited paper contributors informed of outcome |
31st July 2024 |
| Contributed paper authors informed of outcome |
9th Sept 2024 |
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| Registration opens |
15th July 2024 |
| Deadline for early registration |
23rd Sept 2024 |
For questions contact: John Boland john.boland@unisa.edu.au
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JSM 2025 is now open to invited proposal submission
The theme for JSM 2025 is “Statistics, Data Science, and AI Enriching Society,” but not all sessions have to adhere to this theme. Formats vary for invited sessions; however, all are 110 minutes in length and have a session chair. The sessions typically include 2–6 participants, including the chair, with two of the most popular and successful formats being 2–3 speakers with a discussant or a panel discussion of 3–5 panelists.
To get session information into the early planning stages for JSM 2025, all session proposals must be submitted online. The submission site will be open through September 5, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET).
In order to submit a proposal, organizers will need the following information:
Session Type (Invited Paper or Invited Panel) Sponsor (JSM partner society/ASA section or committee, Memorial, etc.). A pre-approved list is provided; select no more than three. Session Title Session Description (provide a short description, including focus, content, timeliness, appeal, and format) Session organizer, including affiliation and email address Session chair, including affiliation and email address Session speakers and any discussants, including affiliations and email addresses
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Employers can advertise job openings for statisticians and data analysts, while job seekers can post their own resume for potential employers to view – anonymously.
Members can register with the Career Centre, setting job alerts to be notified if a job meeting their search criteria is advertised. There's also the option of having one’s resume reviewed at no cost before uploading it, where it can be seen by potential employers.
Once registered with the SSA Career Centre as an employer, the site will allow users to post and manage job openings, search and manage prospective job candidates, and create a company profile. The fees for ads start at $130. |
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The SSA team would love to hear from you!
If you have any feedback or news from the Australian statistical community to share in Stats Matters and Events, get in touch with us!
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