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

Welcome to this edition of SSA eNews

As we celebrate World Statistics Day on Monday 20 October, this issue features a special message from our President, Lynne Giles, acknowledging the vital contributions of SSA members across all sectors who ensure that data and evidence drive meaningful change. This year’s global theme — “Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone” - reflects the dedication, professionalism, and integrity that define our community.

We also invite you to join the SSA × ADSN online panel discussion on “Trust in Data,” exploring how our profession builds confidence in evidence-based decisions and strengthens public trust in statistics.

Looking ahead, ASC 2025 in Perth is fast approaching! You can now register your interest in our social activities, sign up for pre-conference workshops, and pre-order the official ASC 2025 T-shirt — all designed to help you make the most of your conference experience

Enjoy this issue, and thank you for being part of a community that continues to advance, support, and connect through the power of statistics.

Dear members,

As we mark World Statistics Day on Monday 20 October, the Statistical Society of Australia celebrates the contributions of all of our members, whose expertise ensures that data are used to inform sound decisions, improve lives, and strengthen society. Across government, academia, industry, and community sectors, our work matters – it brings clarity to complexity and helps Australia meet its biggest challenges with evidence and insight.

SSA members exemplify integrity and curiosity through commitment to learning from others, the application of rigorous methods, and engaging in thoughtful communication. We must continue to strive to uphold trust in evidence and demonstrate the power of good data to make a difference. 

Globally, the roles of professional statisticians and data scientists have never been more vital. Our members each embody this year’s World Statistics Day theme of “Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone”. 

The SSA thanks all members for their dedication, professionalism, and passion for our disciplines — every day!

Lynne Giles, President

In celebration of this year’s World Statistics Day, the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) and the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN) invite you to an engaging online panel discussion on a topic of growing significance: trust in data.

Date: 20 October 2025

Time: 1:00 PM (AEDT)

Location: Online

Don’t miss this chance to connect with the statistical community and explore the role of reliable data in shaping decisions and society.

As we get closer to ASC 2025, it’s time to start planning your full conference experience! You can now register your interest in our social activities, sign up for pre-conference workshops, and pre-order the official ASC 2025 T-shirt — all designed to help you make the most of your time in Perth.

Social Activities

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Afternoon

After a few days of learning and networking, take a well-earned break and join one of our exciting social activities. These experiences are a great opportunity to connect with fellow delegates while exploring Perth and its surrounds.

We’d love to hear from you!

This is an expression of interest only, you’re not booking an activity and no payment is required at this stage. By registering, you’ll help us gauge numbers and secure group discounts. If there’s enough interest, we’ll move ahead with organising these exciting activities, and share final details closer to the event.

Rottnest Island Visit

Ferry trip to the home of the famous quokka! Explore beaches, trails, and heritage sites at your own pace.

Approx. cost: from $85

Swan Valley Wine Tour

Tastings of local wines, craft beer, cheese, chocolate, and gourmet treats in WA’s premier wine region.

Approx. cost: from $95

Pinnacles Desert Stargazing Tour

A magical evening of sunset and stargazing in the Pinnacles Desert, including dinner and guided commentary.

Approx. cost: $225

Matagarup Mini Golf

Relax and have fun with colleagues at Perth’s premier mini golf course near Optus Stadium.

Approx. cost: $25

Matagarup Zip + Climb

Climb Perth’s Matagarup Bridge and zipline 400 m across the Swan River for an unforgettable adventure.

Approx. cost: $165

Official ASC 2025 T-Shirt

Show your conference spirit by pre-ordering the official ASC 2025 T-shirt! All pre-ordered T-shirts will be available for collection at the registration desk during the conference.

Pre-Conference Workshops

Sunday, 30 November 2025 | Curtin University, Perth

Join one of three in-depth, in-person workshops offering both technical training and professional development opportunities.

Coaching for Mentoring Success

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (AWST)

Learn how to guide and empower students through effective communication and feedback.

Presenter: A/Prof Tanya P. Garcia, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA)

Introduction to Response Adaptive Randomization

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (AWST)

Gain hands-on skills in innovative clinical trial design, from theory to real-world application.

Presenter: A/Prof Sofia S. Villar, MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge (UK)

Introduction to R Packages

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (AWST)

Turn your R code into a shareable package and contribute to the wider R community.

Presenter: Dr Nicholas (Nick) Tierney

In this thought-provoking piece, Dr SwarnenduAI reveals how Bayes’ Theorem governs modern AI, explaining why RAG systems work, when they fail, and how understanding their mathematical foundations can lead to smarter, more reliable models.

Most research data goes unused — but Frontiers’ FAIR² aims to change that. This AI-powered system makes datasets reusable, verifiable, and citable, transforming lost data into valuable resources that accelerate discovery and give researchers the recognition they deserve.

Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling: Methods and Applications  

Date: 4 Nov 2025 

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Robert Street Lecture Theatre, The University of Western Australia 

Communicating Statistical and Data Science Insights to Non-Technical Audiences

Date: 6 Nov 2025

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

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 

ICOTS 12 – Updated website, now Live!

The Statistical Society of Australia is thrilled to share exciting updates for the 12th International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS 12), to be held in Brisbane, 12–17 July 2026 — the first time ICOTS will be hosted in Australia.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the updated ICOTS 12 website, now live with program information and submission details.

Visit : ICOTS 12 Website  or scan the new QR code below:

ICOTS 12 keynote speakers:

• Prof Mine Çetinkaya–Rundel – Duke University

• Prof Dianne Cook – Monash University

• Emeritus Prof Sir Peter Donnelly – Genomics PLC, University of Oxford

• Prof Rob Gould – UCLA

• Dr Elena Proden – UNITAR

These outstanding speakers will bring a wealth of expertise and perspectives to ICOTS 12, setting the stage for an inspiring and thought-provoking program.

We look forward to welcoming you in Brisbane 2026 for this landmark event in statistics education!

Bayes on the Beach – Call for Abstracts

The highly anticipated Bayes on the Beach conference will take place in Wollongong, 9-11 February 2026! We invite you to submit an abstract. The abstract deadline is 23 October 2025. Participants will be notified of acceptance in November.

We look forward to welcoming you to Wollongong in 2026!

For more information and to submit your abstract, please click the link below

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

Your work. Your voice. Your community.

From research breakthroughs to innovative applications of data science, our members are shaping the world through statistics and we want to celebrate it!

SSA e-News is your platform to share insights, achievements, and experiences that inspire others across our community. Whether you’ve published, presented, or simply discovered something worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you.

Share your story and let’s celebrate the people behind the numbers!

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 events coordinator at events@statsoc.org.au to start the conversation and explore possibilities.