Statistics Making an Impact

• Activity Number: 536
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Royal Statistical Society
• Author(s): John Pullinger*+
• Companies: Royal Statistical Society
• Keywords: education ; profession ; literacy ; data ; citizens ; history

Abstract

Statistics provides a special kind of understanding that enables well-informed decisions. As citizens and consumers we are faced with an array of choices. Statistics can help us to choose well. Our statistical brains need to be nurtured: we can all learn and practice some simple rules of statistical thinking. To understand how statistics can play a bigger part in our lives today we can look back at the role of statistics throughout history and draw inspiration from the founders of the Royal Statistical Society in how they way they worked to develop the discipline and profession of statistics. Although in today's world the information landscape is confused, there is an opportunity for statistics that is there to be seized. There is more information available for the public good through a move to open data and data is now the property of the citizen. This calls for us to celebrate the discipline of statistics, to show confidence in our profession, to use statistics in the public interest and to champion statistical education.