More to Do
|
First-Time Attendees |
|
|
Mentoring |
|
|
Docents |
First-Time Attendees
Thank you for choosing to attend the Joint Statistical Meetings in Boston. We are so pleased you will be joining us!
What Can I Expect During My First JSM Experience?
- You will have access to new and innovative sessions, social events, and career opportunities.
- You will receive information about the latest statistical software in the EXPO, where you can also win prizes.
- You will have the opportunity to meet colleagues in your field and learn about other fields.
- Most of all, you will have the chance to have fun while building relationships and networking with other statisticians from around the world.
Interested in an overview of the conference? Download the JSM 2026 schedule-at-a-glance. Complete program information for 2026 will be available in early April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invited sessions, including plenary sessions and named lectures, are pre-organized sessions with speakers who have been invited or are expected to give talks based on their position in the organization (e.g., the President’s Invited Address). Plenary sessions are given when they do not compete with other sessions. Awards are given at some of these events, as well.
Topic-contributed sessions are planned about eight months in advance of JSM. These are typically based on a single topic and organized by one or two people.
If you submitted an abstract to the JSM planning committee, you will most likely be in a contributed session. These are sessions with abstracts grouped together based on a theme for paper, poster, or speed presentations.
TIP: The type of session will not necessarily reflect its quality. In the past, promising talks have fallen short due to an apparent lack of preparation, while some contributed session presentations were excellent, as it was obvious they were rehearsed. Go to sessions you think will be interesting; do not limit yourself to only renowned speakers.
The ASA Store is in the EXPO. ASA merchandise (e.g., shirts, jackets, coffee mugs) can be purchased there. Also, shirts from previous JSMs can be found there at a discount.
Mentoring
The JSM Mentoring Program matches experienced professionals (mentors) with students and early-career statisticians and data scientists. Whether you're looking to share your experience or gain some, applying is easy. Fill out the short application by July 17 at 5 p.m. ET.
Mentors - Please consider serving in this significant role. Your participation will entail arranging a time and place to meet with your mentee at least once during JSM. Many of us were fortunate to have a colleague show interest in us and help us open doors in our career. Please help strengthen our community by doing the same for a student or early-career professional this year.
Mentee - Participation will entail connecting with your mentor to decide on a time and place to meet during JSM. This mentoring program is one way the ASA is promoting the practice and profession of statistics and data science. Getting mentoring advice from a more experienced colleague can help open doors in your career and help you, in turn, promote the practice and profession of statistics and data science.
Docents
JSM docents (derived from the Latin verb docēre, which means to instruct, teach, or point out) are members who understand how JSM “works” and are willing to share their knowledge with first-timers. JSM docents answer questions about how to choose which JSM events to attend, how to network, what to look for in the EXPO, and how to have fun. Docents are also invited to serve as table hosts at the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception on Sunday, August 2, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Listen to the May episode of Practical Significance to learn more.
