Practical Significance

Practical Significance focuses on the passion and commitment members bring to advancing the ASA’s mission of promoting the practice and profession of statistics. Cohosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein chat with two guests—Susan Paddock, executive vice president and chief scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago, and Bo Li, professor at Washington University in St. Louis—about the career-changing and life-enhancing impact of their service to the American Statistical Association community. From their first “yes” to now helping shape the future of our profession, Susan and Bo share personal stories, unexpected ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 54: The Power of Saying, “Yes”— Volunteering & Service in the ASA first appeared on Amstat News.

Thanks to generous support from Nan Laird, who was awarded the 2021 International Prize in Statistics in recognition of her transformative work, the ASA launched the Telling Our Stories video project to raise awareness of the profound impact of statistics and inspire a greater appreciation for its contribution to advancing science and society. The latest installment in the series highlights former ASA President and retired US Census Director Rob Santos, who returns to “Practical Significance” to reflect on his storytelling journey. Cohosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein also welcome Anna Soldatova ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 53: Beyond the Frame: Stories from the Telling Our Stories Video Project first appeared on Amstat News.

On April 22, Claire McKay Bowen will deliver the inaugural Dionne Price Public Lecture. April is also Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, so, to celebrate, Bowen joins “Practical Significance” hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to explore what “statistics awareness” truly means today. As senior fellow leading data governance and privacy at the Urban Institute’s Family and Financial Wellbeing Division, Bowen shares her statistical journey and the mentors who shaped her career. She also reveals the fundamental statistical concept she believes every citizen should understand and why it matters. Bowen emphasizes the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 52: Celebrating MSAM with Claire Bowen, the Inaugural Dionne Price Public Lecture Presenter first appeared on Amstat News.

To mark the launch of ASA Career Connect, a site that will make it easier for employers and ASA members to connect, this month's “Practical Significance” episode focuses on career advice. ASA past presidents Sastry Pantula and Wendy Martinez, along with SPAIG Chair Satrajit Roychoudhury, join cohosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to share invaluable career advice and insights for navigating career transitions. Our expert trio share perspectives from three employment sectors: academia—Pantula from California State University–San Bernardino; government—Martinez from the US Census Bureau; and industry—Roychoudhury from Pfizer. Drawing on their ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 51: Celebrating the Launch of ASA Career Connect: Strategies from Those Who've Been There first appeared on Amstat News.

In this milestone 50th episode, co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein continue their tradition of introducing the American Statistical Association’s incoming president. Ji-Hyun Lee, the ASA’s 120th president, joins them to share her vision for 2025, which is centered on “building bridges.” As she begins her presidential year, Lee shares both her excitement and jitters, reflecting, “This presidency is the honor of a lifetime—and with that honor comes an incredible sense of responsibility.” Several promising initiatives are already underway. One example is her groundbreaking collaboration with Nature Medicine, which by integrating statistical ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 50: Building Bridges with ASA 2025 President Ji-Hyun Lee first appeared on Amstat News.

More than a decade ago, John Bailer and Richard Campbell launched Stats+Stories. Now, after more than 350 episodes, the podcast continues to explore the “Statistics Behind the Stories and the Stories Behind the Statistics.” In this episode of Practical Significance, hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein sit down with Stats+Stories current co-hosts John Bailer and Rosemary Pennington (who joined in 2016) to talk about the next chapter. The conversation reveals how this innovative podcast has bridged the gap between statistical analysis and storytelling, making complex concepts accessible to diverse audiences. Beginning ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 49: The Next Chapter: Stats+Stories Joins the ASA Family first appeared on Amstat News.

As we conclude our fourth year of Practical Significance, we’re overflowing with gratitude and excitement! Our heartfelt thanks go to our dedicated listeners who’ve been with us throughout this journey. We are grateful for the many members of the ASA community who give their time and talent in support of our mission. Particularly, the members of our extraordinary ASA Board of Directors, whose vision and dedication have made 2024 a year of successes. Listeners know we like tradition, so this episode continues a tradition of welcoming departing ASA Board members to ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 48: Reflections from Our Outgoing ASA Board Members first appeared on Amstat News.

The November episode of Practical Significance features a fun twist as podcast producer Kim Gilliam takes her turn at the mic to interview her colleagues and Practical Significance co-hosts, Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein. Armed with insider knowledge and your burning questions about the ASA, Kim leads a lively conversation that’s equal parts informative and entertaining. Ron sets the stage by unpacking the ASA’s strategic vision built on three key themes: enhancing the diversity and breadth of our association; increasing the visibility of our profession; and ensuring the future of ... The post Practical Significance: Episode 47 | Inquiring Minds: ASA Questions and Answers from Donna & Ron first appeared on Amstat News.

The American Statistical Association's Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award recognizes media professionals for their presentation of the science of statistics and its role in public life. During the 2024 Joint Statistical Meetings in Portland, Oregon, this summer, Harry Stevens of The Washington Post was honored with this award for his Climate Lab story series—which covers environmental change in a clear, personalized, transparent, and reproducible way. Joining Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein, Stevens says he writes about compelling climate trends and their effect on the natural world, presenting the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 46—Data Is My Superpower: A Conversation with the Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award Recipient first appeared on Amstat News.

Statistics in the Community, or STATCOM, is a student-run community outreach program launched at Purdue University in 2006. It offers students a unique opportunity to apply their statistical expertise by providing pro bono consulting services to community organizations.   This month, Annie Cohen and Hanna Venera join Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to discuss their roles as co-presidents of STATCOM at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. They can’t contain their enthusiasm for this special initiative and the intrinsic reward of working within the community, although they acknowledge the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 45: Statistics in the Community (STATCOM)—Service in Action first appeared on Amstat News.

The American Statistical Association recently joined forces with Instats, an organization dedicated to enhancing global research practices by offering expert-led training to researchers through its online platform. The ASA/Instats partnership will bring members a broad set of learning opportunities. Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein engage with Michael Zyphur, director of Instats, to explore this innovative learning experience—including the unique features that set the Instats platform apart. ASA members will have access to live seminars, on-demand seminars, and structured courses. They can also easily filter these offerings based on their ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 44: Lifelong Learning—New Opportunities for ASA Members first appeared on Amstat News.

For the first time, the Joint Statistical Meetings—taking place August 3–8—will be held in Portland, Oregon. In anticipation, Practical Significance podcast hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome two special guests: JSM Program Chair Debashis Ghosh and Oregon Chapter President Yuan Jiang, who offer tips for making JSM a professional and personal success. Ghosh, chair and professor at the Colorado School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, reflects on his experience as the 2024 JSM program chair. While acknowledging the conference’s daunting size, he emphasizes that JSM is a ... The post Practical Significance | Episode: 43 —”Toto, I Have a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore”— Anticipating JSM 2024 first appeared on Amstat News.

In January 2024, ASA President Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar announced strengthening and expanding mentoring in the ASA community as one of her initiatives and launched a working group with co-chairs Carolyn Rutter and Ruth Etzioni. This month, they join Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to discuss this endeavor. Bonnie, Carolyn, and Ruth share their stories about the power of mentoring and their passion for bringing new mentoring program models to the ASA community. And, in the spirit of mentoring, they offer advice to their younger selves. In their ‘day jobs,’ the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 42: With a Little Help from My Friends … Mentoring and the ASA first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA has 70+ regional chapters that organize networking events, provide continuing education, conduct outreach efforts, and promote statistics as a career. They bring local flair to the ASA. By providing support in countless ways, the Council of Chapters Governing Board (COCGB) is the glue that connects chapters with each other and the broader ASA community. This month, Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein bring listeners an audio version of Chapter Chatter, the newsletter for and by chapter members, as they are joined by COCGB chair, Jo Wick, ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 41: ASA Chapters: Turning the ‘Page' on Opportunities and Initiatives first appeared on Amstat News.

The title for this episode is a question familiar to ChatGPT users and signals the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the world around us. Tian Zheng, Hongtu Zhu, and Mark Glickman join co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to discuss the implications of AI for our profession. Building on a 2023 workshop on statistics and AI in health care, Tian, Hongtu, and colleagues recently hosted an ASA townhall during which they discussed the impact of AI on the statistical community. Mark is chair of the ASA Committee on Data ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 40: How Can I Help You Today? first appeared on Amstat News.

March 14 is Pi Day and the International Day of Mathematics (and Statistics), which has the theme “Play with Math” this year. Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein knew there was no better way to play with math and statistics than to talk with members of the ASA Statistics in Sports Section—chair Guanyu Hu and communications officer Denise Bradford. Bradford, senior data scientist for the Detroit Pistons, and Hu, assistant professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, bring their “A” game to the show as ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 39: Game On with ASA Statistics in Sports Section Leaders Denise Bradford and Guanyu Hu first appeared on Amstat News.

Fortunately, 2024 is a leap year and February has an extra day because David Matteson, professor and associate chair for the statistics and data science and social statistics department at Cornell University, has a full plate. He recently took on the role of director of the National Institute of Statistical Sciences and is leading the editorial team for Data Science in Science, the newest open-access addition to the ASA’s portfolio of publications. This month, he joins Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to discuss the purpose and scope ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 38: New Year … New Initiatives first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance co-hosts Donna Lalonde and Ron Wasserstein kick off season four by welcoming the editor of Real World Data Science, Brian Tarran, to the show. A new initiative from the Royal Statistical Society in partnership with the ASA, Real World Data Science features content developed by data scientists. Tarran’s aim is for the site to be a trusted, go-to source for high-quality and engaging content that supports ethical and impactful practice. Because the target audience for Real World Data Science is all who work in data science, Tarran learned ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 37: Let's Get Real World with Brian Tarran first appeared on Amstat News.

As Practical Significance celebrates the end of its third year, we want to express how grateful we are for our devoted listeners. Thank you! We also mark a special podcast tradition this month by speaking with outgoing ASA board members. Co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein “go live” from the second floor of the ASA building during the 2023 fall board meeting, and retiring board members Catherine (Kate) Calder, Kathy Ensor, Alexandra (Alex) Hanlon, Ruixiao Lu, Matilde Kam, and *Bin Nan take the mic. Listen in as they share anecdotes and ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 36: Outgoing ASA Board Members Take the Mic first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA is stronger because of the perspectives and experiences international members bring to our community. This month, co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein talk with Ingrid Van Keilegom, international representative to the ASA Board, and Afia Owusu-Forfie, founder and executive director of Coders Who Travel, about initiatives and resources that support international members. Van Keilegom, a statistics professor at KU Leuven in Belgium, highlights the work of the Committee on International Relations in Statistics. She also addresses initiatives important to our international members, including webinars, accreditation, a reduction in fees ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 35: ASA Around the World first appeared on Amstat News.

Did you know the ASA has a section or special interest group for you? These are subject-area and/or industry-related groups that provide benefits specific to your interests. This month, Practical Significance co-hosts Donna and Ron chat with three section leaders: Wendy Martinez, chair of the newly formed Section on Text Analysis; Susan Paddock, chair of the Council of Sections Governing Board; and Sharina Person, chair of the Biometrics Section, which became the ASA's first section in 1938! Our guests discuss the benefits of being part of a section or interest ... The post Practical Significance – Episode 34: Exploring ASA Sections and Interest Groups first appeared on Amstat News.

Derek Curtis II set his sights on accounting when he was in just the 8th grade. Unlike many of us, he went to college knowing exactly what he wanted to do and, today, he is the ASA's new director of finance and administration. This month, he joins Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein to talk about his career path and give shout-outs to a few professional mentors. He also shares how he stays current in the world of finance and, with an eye toward the future, ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 33: Meet the ASA's Director of Finance and Administration, Derek Curtis II first appeared on Amstat News.

On April 21, 2021, the American Statistical Association became a full member of CSAB, joining the world's two largest professional and technical societies for computing—the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS). This month, Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the show newly appointed CSAB Executive Director Andrew (Andy) Phillips to get an update on data science accreditation. In addition to data science programs, CSAB is the lead ABET member society for accreditation of degree programs in computer science, cybersecurity, information systems, ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 32: Getting the ‘Data' on CSAB with Andrew (Andy) Phillips first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA recently formed the Caucus of Industry Representatives to promote statistics and data science in the private and public sectors and provide resources to successfully advocate for the discipline. Ginger Holt, who is leading the effort as chair of the executive committee, and committee member Amarjot Kaur talk shop with Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein, touching on everything from the most significant challenges facing industry statisticians and data scientists to the opportunities and implications of large language models. Holt, senior staff data scientist at DataBricks, ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 31—Talking Shop: Introducing the ASA Caucus of Industry Representatives first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome John Bailer and Rosemary Pennington, co-hosts of Stats+Stories, a podcast about “the statistics behind the stories and the stories behind the statistics.” Their show features an eclectic mix of topics, from economics to the environment to media, methods, sports, and more. John and Rosemary come from opposite backgrounds: John, who is a professor emeritus of statistics, is the “Stats” part of the equation. Rosemary, who is an associate professor of journalism at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, is the “Stories” part. In addition to ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 30: Meet the Hosts of Stats+Stories first appeared on Amstat News.

Did you know the ASA publishes or co-publishes 16 journals focusing on statistics in business and economics, biopharmaceutical research, agriculture, biology, the environment, sports, surveys, and so much more? Eric Sampson oversees production (a Herculean effort) and has served as the ASA journals manager since 2008. Practical Significance co-hosts Donna and Ron talk with Eric in depth about his role and what changes he anticipates in the publishing world. Eric also gives advice for authors seeking the best outlet for their work. We also discover Eric is a competitive equestrian, ... The post Practical Significance| Episode 29—A 360° View of ASA Journals and Publications with Eric Sampson first appeared on Amstat News.

Shakespeare asks, “What’s in a name?” in the play Romeo and Juliet, the purpose of which is to focus our attention on what’s important. This month, Practical Significance explores what’s important for an ASA meeting or conference to be successful as co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome Julia Sharp, chair of the ASA Meetings Task Force, to the show. The ASA Board charged the task force with developing recommendations for ensuring those attending the ASA's smaller meetings such as the Conference on Statistical Practice, Women in Statistics & Data Science, Symposium on ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 28: What's in a Meeting (with Apologies to Shakespeare)? first appeared on Amstat News.

The Coit Tower offers a 360-degree view of San Francisco and, this month, Practical Significance offers a 360 of the 2023 Conference on Statistical Practice, recently held in the beautiful “City by the Bay.” Co-hosts Donna and Ron took the show on the road and recorded this episode live at the conference, which brought together nearly 400 statisticians and data scientists who shared insights on and solutions to real-world problems. On the conference’s final day, a gathering of brave souls stepped up to the podcast mic—including members of the CSP steering ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 27: Donna and Ron ‘Go Live' at CSP 2023 first appeared on Amstat News.

With a nod to Valentine's Day, the February edition of Practical Significance embraces the theme, “What's Love Got to Do with It?” and features three couples who truly appreciate the perks of having a statistician as a partner. Co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome Emily and Eric Griffith, Jeri and Ed Mulrow, and Jack Miller and Melinda Baham to the show. The three couples share a bit about their day jobs and how they met and offer strategies for maintaining that elusive goal of work-life balance. Also, don't miss Ron's traditional Top ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 26: What's Love Got to Do with It? first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance kicks off the new year with its January tradition of featuring the new ASA president. Co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome to the show Dionne Price, the 118th president of the American Statistical Association. Dionne—who is the deputy director of the Office of Biostatistics, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration—shares aspects of her “day” job and her goals for the year ahead. Listen to how an internship sparked her passion for biostatistics and how she puts the FDA and ASA missions ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 25: Meet the New ASA President, Dionne Price first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance is celebrating its second year, and we are grateful to our devoted listeners—thank you! Over the last 24 months, we've developed a few traditions, including honoring our outgoing ASA board members. For the final episode of 2022, co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome to the show Scarlett Bellamy, Rebecca Hubbard, Ji-Hyun Lee, and Alexandra Schmidt, who will each end their tenure this month. They share what they've learned from serving and how it's influenced their view of the profession, favorite memories, and the opportunities and challenges they see ahead for ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 24: Looking Back with an Eye on the Future: A Conversation with Outgoing Board Members first appeared on Amstat News.

Did you know the ASA is a member of the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), a nonprofit advocacy organization working to promote and advance the social and behavioral sciences in federal policymaking? COSSA member benefits are available to all ASA members. COSSA Executive Director Wendy Naus joins co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein for this month's edition of Practical Significance to discuss the consortium’s mission and initiatives and the impact of its work on ASA members. COSSA offers resources and events like webinars, training, and opportunities to engage with policymakers—which ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 23: Get to Know COSSA! first appeared on Amstat News.

In February 2022, the ASA Board of Directors approved revisions to the Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice, and this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at that process. Committee on Professional Ethics members Jing Cao and Stephanie Shipp join us to discuss their evolving understanding of the ethical practice and the two-year endeavor by the Committee on Professional Ethics to complete the revisions. They share the process by which the committee approached the revisions, the rationale for adopting specific terminology, and the decision to add an appendix to the guidelines. During the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 22: What's in the 2022 Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice? first appeared on Amstat News.

This edition of Practical Significance spotlights the National Data Mine Network, a project funded by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to the ASA. The project enables undergraduate students at minority-serving institutions to learn data science via hands-on research or data science projects informed by industry partners or faculty mentors. Our guests this month are Mark Daniel Ward, professor of statistics and director of the Purdue University Data Mine Network, and ASA President Kathy Ensor, Noah G. Harding professor of statistics at Rice University, who has ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 21: Building the National Data Mine Network, with Mark Ward and Kathy Ensor first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein have known each other for more than 30 years—since their days at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. In 2015, he invited her to join the American Statistical Association as the director of strategic initiatives and outreach. This month, he turns the tables on her, providing a fantastic opportunity to get to know her a little better. Donna discusses what she sees as the ASA's biggest challenges, including “feeling connected.” She also talks about the various opportunities for our community in the education realm ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 20: Ron Turns the Tables on Donna! first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA's initiatives ThisIsStatistics and Count on Stats serve to inform and increase public awareness of statistics⁠—from educating students about a career in statistics to fostering knowledge about the federal statistics system and the impact of data on all facets vital to society. Lori Russo and Emily Wenstrom of Stanton Communications, who lead the teams working on these initiatives, join co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein on this episode of Practical Significance. They share the challenges behind their campaigns, explain the way social media enhances their work, and offer advice on ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 19: Words Matter⁠—Raising Public Awareness of the Statistics Profession first appeared on Amstat News.

June is Pride Month and Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the show the first ASA Pride Scholarship recipients, Holly Bossart and Evan Boyle. The ASA Pride Scholarship was established to raise awareness for and support the success of LGBTQ+ statisticians and data scientists and allies. Through the scholarship, we celebrate the diverse perspectives of our community. Evan, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Diego, and Holly, a PhD student at Carnegie Mellon, reflect on the past year and next steps in their career journeys ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 18: Celebrating with the First Pride Scholarship Winners, Evan and Holly first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA Anti-Racism Task Force has developed recommendations to support positive cultural change within the association and broader community. In this edition of Practical Significance, task force co-chairs Adrian Coles and David Marker present some of those recommendations and share insights they gained while working on this monumental project. The task force reviewed the ASA's internal structure and governance, as well as ways statistics can be used positively or negatively in matters of race and ethnicity. Coles and Marker explain why these factors are important. They also discuss how the task ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 17: A Roadmap for Change–Recommendations from the ASA Anti-Racism Task Force first appeared on Amstat News.

The review process for publication in ASA journals is highly competitive and, for some, there exist barriers for participation. This month, Practical Significance welcomes two members of the ASA Publications Task Force, Rebecca Hubbard and Kelly McConville, who share the findings of the task force and their vision for the future. Gleaning from personal experience, Rebecca and Kelly reveal the challenges they faced, which fuel their passion for the work of the task force. They discuss several critical recommendations, including identifying barriers for participation in the overall publications process—publishing, reviewing, and ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 16: Participation Matters: Recommendations from the ASA Publications Task Force first appeared on Amstat News.

Are you psyched to attend in-person conferences again? The ASA staff is! The March edition of Practical Significance features members of the ASA Meetings Department—Kathleen Wert, Kristin Mohebbi, Naomi Friedman, and Christina Link. They share with co-hosts Donna and Ron how they design ASA meetings as crucial pathways to engage, educate, and network with fellow members. These include the Joint Statistical Meetings, Symposium on Data Science and Statistics, Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop, Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference, International Conference on Health Policy Statistics, and Conference on Statistical Practice. ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 15: Meet the ASA Meetings Staff – Kathleen, Kristin, Christina, and Naomi! first appeared on Amstat News.

The ASA Committee on Statistics and Disability (CSD) was recently reactivated, and co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome to the show two committee members: Ryan Machtmes and Erin Chapman. Together, they discuss the committee's updated charge to serve the disability community within the ASA. Erin and Ryan share their personal stories and the importance of the CSD's revised charge, as well as programs the committee is considering for the ASA community. They detail the goal of providing guidance on best practices and universal design to improve accessibility to statistics for the ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 14: The ASA Committee on Statistics & Disability Working to Improve Accessibility first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance celebrates the kick-off of its second season, and we thank our listeners for their continued support of this endeavor! In 2021, we featured a diverse and engaging lineup of ASA members who shared their passions, professional initiatives, and aspirations—a deep dive into the work they love and where it's taken them. And that mission continues! For the January edition, co-hosts Donna and Ron welcome to the show 2022 ASA President Kathy Ensor, who shares a peek into her “day job” as the Noah G. Harding Professor of ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 13: Leading the Way—A Look Ahead with 2022 ASA President Kathy Ensor first appeared on Amstat News.

The critical work of our association is accomplished by volunteers, and leading the charge are the members of the board of directors. As Practical Significance celebrates its one-year anniversary, co-hosts Donna and Ron have a warm and reflective conversation with outgoing board members Dick De Veaux, Mark Glickman, Anamaria Kazanis, and Wendy Martinez. Each share what they learned about the ASA from serving on the board and how the experience has influenced how they think about the profession. They swap stories about their favorite memories and reveal the projects they ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 12: Auld Lang Syne⁠—A Conversation with Outgoing ASA Board Members first appeared on Amstat News.

Service is a critical component driving the strength and vitality of the ASA, as well as some of its members. Practical Significance hosts two such members who aim to “make a difference” by lending their expertise to outside organizations striving to make the world a better place. During this month's episode, Davina Durgana, chair of Statistics Without Borders, and David Corliss, founder of Peace-Work, reflect on their experiences and discuss the importance of their work. David and Davina discuss the mission of their respective organizations, a memorable project, and how service ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 11: Statisticians Making a Difference first appeared on Amstat News.

Practical Significance co-hosts Donna LaLondeand Ron Wassersteinwelcome to the show Monica Jackson, who was recently named deputy provost and dean of faculty at American University, and the three discuss opportunities in undergraduate and graduate statistics education. As Monica takes on her new leadership position, she shares initiatives she is excited about, the changes she'd like to see, and the challenges that lie ahead in the education arena. She also discusses her mentors, her leadership role in the JEDI Outreach Group, and the impact of COVID-19 at American University. Discover how being ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 10: Let's Talk: Leadership, Education, and Mentorship⁠—A Conversation with Monica Jackson first appeared on Amstat News.

For this special edition of Practical Significance, the special guest is Ron Wasserstein. The episode is a lively and candid conversation between co-hosts Donna LaLonde, the ASA director of strategic initiatives and outreach, and Ron Wasserstein, the ASA's executive director. Colleagues and friends for 30 years, Donna turns the tables on her co-host. The two kick off with a back and forth on JSM 2021—highlights, favorite sessions, and many shout-outs! Then the tables are turned. Donna asks Ron about the two big things that keep him up at night as he ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 9: From Co-Host to Guest—Donna Turns the Tables on Ron first appeared on Amstat News.

Serving as the program chair for an ASA meeting can seem like a mammoth undertaking, but Nicole Lazar, chair of the 2021 Joint Statistical Meetings Program Committee, and Claire Bowen, who heads up the organizing team for the 2022 Symposium on Data Science and Statistics, describe the volunteer role as, “exciting, humbling, and a privilege.” Practical Significance hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein know the vital role all member volunteers play in the sustained success of an association and talk to Nicole and Claire about how they manage the responsibility ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 8: The Life of an ASA Conference Program Chair first appeared on Amstat News.

Along with Practical Significance, does your listening library include ASA-sponsored podcasts like ASA Biopharm's Podcast, Data & Science with Glen Wright Colopy, Stats + Stories, and one of the first data science podcasts—Not So Standard Deviations? If the answer is “YES,” then you are in for a treat with the July episode of Practical Significance and, if not, be sure to check them out and listen in today for an introduction! Hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein turn the tables on esteemed podcast hosts Glen Colopy Wright, Richard Zink, Roger Peng, ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 7: Turning the Tables on Glen, Richard, Roger, and John! first appeared on Amstat News.

June is Pride Month, and the ASA is strong in its commitment to and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. As one way to participate in Pride Month, Practical Significance hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the show Suzanne Thornton, who chaired the LGBTQ+ Working Group, and Jiashen You, the current chair of the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Committee. Suzanne reflects on her role leading the LGBTQ+ Working Group and the supportive network she's formed with ASA colleagues. Jiashen shares his passion for the work of the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Committee as it ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 6: ASA Pride first appeared on Amstat News.

The Class of 2021 and its teachers had a year no one could have imagined. Adaptable, determined, and resilient are just a few adjectives often attributed to students and educators this year. For our May podcast, hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the show three graduates to be and two [very busy!] faculty members.   The following degree candidates reflect on this unprecedented year, share their favorite classes and experiences, offer advice for academic success, and tell us what's next for them: Yuyu (Ruby) Chen, Master of Science, Biostatistics, New ... The post Practical Significance Episode 5 | What a Year! Celebrating the Class of 2021 first appeared on Amstat News.

April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month and, to celebrate, hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the show Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel and Kathy Ensor to discuss data science education, high-impact projects they are working on, what keeps them up at night, and more! Kathy, professor of statistics at Rice University and ASA president-elect, offers her perspective on the buzz around AI, machine learning, and data science and the role of statistics in these endeavors. Mine, a faculty member at the University of Edinburgh and a professional educator for R Studio, ... The post Practical Significance Episode 4 | Data Science – What's the Buzz? first appeared on Amstat News.