What happens when you combine statistical expertise, cross-cultural collaboration, and a mission to build statistical capacity internationally? You get the ASA’s Educational Ambassador Program—and one inspiring episode of Practical Significance! Cohosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein sit down for a lively conversation with three dynamic guests: Carolina Franco (NORC at The University of Chicago); Andrzej Kosinski (Duke University School of Medicine); and Paulo Canas Rodrigues (Federal University of Bahia). Celebrating 20 years of impact, this program honors the memory of Martha Aliaga, former ASA director of education who was passionate about ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 56: Amplifying Global Impact Through the ASA’s Educational Ambassador Program first appeared on Amstat News.

In this forward-looking episode of Practical Significance, co-hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein sit down with a powerhouse panel to explore where statistics is headed over the next decade. Kathy Ensor (Rice University), Lance Waller (Emory University), and Brittany Segundo (National Academies) dive into a major National Academies consensus study: Frontiers of Statistics in Science and Engineering: 2035 and Beyond. Ensor (chair) and Waller (vice chair) are leading the committee working on this ambitious study. They share what drove them to tackle such a monumental project and why statistics is more ... The post Practical Significance | Episode 55: Forward Stats—Frontiers of Statistics in Science and Engineering: 2035 and Beyond first appeared on Amstat News.

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.