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Welcome to the Final SSA e-News of 2025

As the year draws to a close, this edition reflects both a time for thoughtful reflection and a celebration of the many achievements across our Society. From national events and conferences to mentoring, scholarships, and member recognition, 2025 has been a year of strong engagement, collaboration, and impact for the SSA community.

In this issue, you’ll find a message from our President, updates on governance consultations planned for early 2026, highlights from recent SSA activities, and opportunities to support and engage with the next generation of statisticians through scholarships and mentoring programs. We also share upcoming events and learning opportunities already on the horizon for the new year.

Thank you for your continued involvement, contributions, and support throughout 2025. We wish all our members a safe and restful holiday season.

The next edition of SSA e-News will be published in the last week of January 2026, and we look forward to reconnecting with you then as we begin another exciting year together.

Message from the President

At this time of year, it is natural to look back on the year that has been as well as look ahead to the new year.  The end of 2025 has been overshadowed by the tragic events in Bondi.  The loss of life and the impact on families, first responders, and wider society will forever be felt across Australia.  My thoughts are with all of those affected.

While we each personally reflect on these events, it is also timely to consider that we have achieved a great deal this year for SSA and to look ahead to the opportunities that 2026 will bring.

Our branches, sections, and networks continue to be the lifeblood of SSA, delivering an extensive program of webinars, named lectures, seminars, workshops - in person, fully online or in hybrid formats - and social events that strengthen connections across our community.  This year’s strong program of activity also included some of our most well-attended national events, highlighting both the diversity of our community and the broader impact of statistics in society. These included the International Women’s Day 2025 panel discussion, the Personal Journey of Len Cook, the World Statistics Day webinar “Data we can trust” that we joined with the Australian Data Science Network to mount, and the inaugural Henstridge–Praeger Public Lecture “Trust in Statistics is crucial for the wellbeing of societies – but it must be earned”, delivered by Dennis Trewin.

At the start of this month, ASC2025 was an inspiring week of learning and discussion where the conference themes of “Advance. Support. Connect” were embodied by all of those who took part in the conference.  The Local Organising and Scientific Program Committees, along with our volunteers and SSA staff, did an outstanding job in delivering a vibrant and successful conference.  The Henstridge-Praeger Public Lecture at the conference was one of our most heavily subscribed events for 2025, with more than 200 in-person and 100 online attendees. 

The Praeger-Henstridge gift has also enabled the establishment of Henstridge-Praeger Statistics Scholarships.  This funding has provided an exciting opportunity to support the next generation of statisticians and to strengthen our profession for years to come.  Please encourage students entering third year or undertaking Honours studies in 2026 to apply.  Scholarship applications are open until 13 February 2026, with further details at our web page: https://statsoc.org.au/Henstridge-Praeger  Please also consider supporting the fund via https://amsi.org.au/amsi-foundation/the-praeger-henstridge-awards-and-prizes/

Finally, I want to thank all our members for the myriad of ways that you have contributed to SSA throughout 2025.  I am excited to continue working with our members next year, and I am confident that together we will continue to grow and prosper our Society.

Wishing you an end of year that is filled with peace and the hope that you have moments that bring you joy.

Lynne Giles - SSA President

Have your Say: Consultation on scope of changes to SSA’s Rules and Regulations will happen in early 2026

The Society has embarked on a process to update our core governance documents - our Rules and Regulations.

The update is necessary to ensure we comply with the Associations Act in the ACT, where we are incorporated, and to reflect current and desired governance practice in some key areas. These include the composition of Central Council and Executive Committee and the nomination and election of office bearers. We will also be looking to substantially streamline our current Rules by moving Rules that are not required for incorporation into our Regulations.

This work is proceeding in 2 stages. First we will determine the scope of the changes, and then we will draft new Rules and Regulations. We will be seeking your views on the proposed changes at each stage.  You will get to vote on adoption of the new Rules and Regulations at a General meeting towards the end of 2026.

We are now ready to consult with you about the scope of the proposed changes.

A consultation document will be made available in the week on 12 January 2026 and we intend to hold a webinar in the week of 9 February 2026. We will be seeking your feedback by the end of February.  

Branches may choose to run their own consultation process and then submit a response on behalf of their Branch. If your Branch decides to hold their own process they will inform you of this and let you know how you can contribute.  

Regardless of whether your Branch decides to run its own consultation you can still make a submission as an individual member.

I look forward to hearing and responding to your views on the proposed scope changes to the SSA’s Rules and Regulations.

Lynne Giles - SSA President

SSA End-of-Year Lunch

SSA staff and Executive Committee members based in Melbourne came together last week for an end-of-year lunch, marking a lovely opportunity to connect in person and reflect on the year that was. It was the first time many of the team had met face-to-face, making the occasion particularly special. The group enjoyed great conversation, shared reflections, and some delicious Mexican food at Hacienda in Melbourne.

A big thank you to everyone for a wonderful afternoon and for the collaboration and support throughout the year. We wish all our members a happy and safe holiday season, and we look forward to continuing to support and serve the SSA community in 2026.

The Henstridge–Praeger Statistics Scholarships, jointly awarded by the Statistical Society of Australia and the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, are now open for applications.

These scholarships support final-year undergraduate students studying statistics or related disciplines, helping to encourage and develop the next generation of statisticians in Australia.

Key details:

• Value: $2,500 per scholarship (multiple scholarships available each year)

• Applications open: 1 December 2025

• Applications close: 13 February 2026

• Eligibility: Australian citizens and permanent residents

The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Cheryl Praeger AC and John Henstridge, whose support reflects a strong commitment to investing in the future of statistics in Australia.

We encourage members to share this opportunity with their students and professional networks to help ensure it reaches those who may benefit most.

SSA Member A/Prof Karen Lamb Recognised for Excellence in Mentoring

From L to R: Acting Dean Professor Mike McGuckin and A/Professor Karen Lamb

SSA member Karen Lamb has been awarded both the 2025 University of Melbourne Patricia Grimshaw Award for Mentoring Excellence and the Faculty of Dentistry, Medicine and Health Sciences Award for Mentoring, announced at the University of Melbourne end-of-year staff celebrations.

The awards were partly in recognition of Karen’s efforts to support statisticians through the SSA. Karen single-handedly created the SSA Mentoring Program in 2020 and subsequently formed the Mentoring Program Committee in 2021 to ensure program continuity. The SSA Mentoring Program has run annually since 2020, supporting more than 200 statisticians. Karen has also supported 5 mentees herself through the program. The program has also drawn international attention, with Karen and the committee advising the New Zealand Statistical Association and Statistical Society of Canada on program creation. In addition, her discussions with the Royal Statistical Society resulted in expansion of an accreditation-only to a general mentoring program.

Karen stepped down as Chair of the Mentoring Program in 2025, taking on a new role in the committee. This role involved the creation and launch of a Professional Development Skills series for the Mentoring Program which consisted of three webinars (communication, project management, and interview tips). This series will continue as part of the 2026 program.

We congratulate Karen on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her lasting contribution to mentoring and professional development within the statistical community.

SSA Mentoring Program – Applications Now Open for 2026

Are you an early or mid-career statistician looking for support as you develop your career? Or an experienced statistician keen to share your knowledge with the next generation? The SSA Mentoring Program may be the perfect opportunity.

The SSA Mentoring Committee is now preparing for the 2026 program intake, a six-month mentoring program commencing in March 2026. The program includes two facilitated online training sessions for all participants, scheduled for 4–5 February 2026.

Applications are now open and close on Friday 16 January 2026.
Information and application form (member login required)

Successful applicants will be notified in late January 2026.

For enquiries, please contact the SSA Mentoring Committee at: mentoring@statsoc.org.au

ICOTS 12 – Registrations are now Open

The Statistical Society of Australia is thrilled to share that for the first time, the International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS) will be held in Australia. ICOTS 12 will take place from 12–17 July 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together educators, practitioners, and researchers from around the world.

Contributed abstract submission open until 31st January, 2026.

Submission portal: Program

ICOTS 12 will feature an engaging scientific program, including a series of pre-conference workshops on 11–12 July, and a selection of excursions on 15 July showcasing Australian fauna, flora, culture, and food. Details and registration for workshops and excursions will be released in early 2026.

We encourage members involved in statistics and data science education to consider submitting an abstract and joining this important international event.

2026 Biostatistics Summer School 

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Biostatistics Summer School, to be held from 13–20 February 2026 at the University of Melbourne. The program features four one- and two-day courses presented by leading international and Australian experts, covering topics including causal inference, estimands in clinical trials, network meta-analysis, and cluster randomised trials.

Sydney School of Public Health Workshops – February 2026

The Sydney School of Public Health will run a series of short workshops in February 2026 for clinicians, students and researchers, covering advanced topics in statistical and health research methods. Further details will be available closer to the event.

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 Michelle Wightwick , events officer at events@statsoc.org.au to start the conversation and explore possibilities.