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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...