Supporting science

Statistics underpins modern science, providing the analytic tools for effective experimental design and for analysis and interpretation of results. The Royal Statistical Society fosters the development and dissemination of statistical theory and practice, celebrates research excellence, and actively presses for greater investment in statistical research.

Like other expert disciplines, new developments in statistical methodology and application take place all the time. Each year over 100 peer-reviewed papers are published in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, confirming its importance as a means of disseminating the results of statistical research.

Journal publication is complemented by the Society’s Ordinary Meetings, in which papers are presented and intensively discussed by statistical experts. The Society further promotes knowledge sharing through its programme of other events, ranging from its international annual conference through to meetings of its many study groups and sections.

Where a need is identified the Society also commissions its own research studies. For example, in 2007 a comprehensive review began of the statistical properties of different measures for assessing environmental change. Bringing together statisticians and ecologists, the panel has considered how statistical measures are used in practice, how data are collected for an assessment of change and how to convey the correct information between scientists and policy makers.
 

Honouring research excellence

Through its medals and awards – often named for distinguished statisticians in the past – the Royal Statistical Society honours those who have made particular contributions to statistics and encourage future achievement.

The Guy medals promote the application of numbers to the solution of important problems with a view to determining the laws which regulate them.

The Greenfield Industrial medal, founded in 1991, is aimed at encouraging manufacturing companies to pay full attention to the great benefits of statistical methods.

The West Medal is awarded for outstanding achievements in, contributions to or influences on the development and use of statistics in the fields of official or social statistics.

The Research prize is specifically for those workers near the beginning of their research career and is awarded for outstanding original contribution to statistical theory or application.

In collaboration with Statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PSI) the Society makes awards for excellence in the pharmaceutical industry.