The International Development Section (IDS) of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is looking for new members to join the committee for 2021.
As the then President said in his introduction to the RSS 2018-2022 Strategic Plan: ‘We live in a world of ubiquitous data. Everywhere we turn we see debates to which statistics can contribute, such as those around ’post truth’, artificial intelligence and evidence-informed policy. The world has also committed to a set of Sustainable Development Goals, which include indicators of progress. The context presents many opportunities for those of us who care about science, data, evidence and facts. The RSS is a community of such people, who work collectively for ‘data at the heart of understanding and decision-making’ ‘.
The IDS exists to take forward the part of this agenda relating to international development. For example, the Section has taken an active role in debates around the Sustainable Development Goals, organising sessions at the RSS Annual Conference and other events to air the issues that they raise for low and middle income countries (LMICs). The Section also takes an interest in professional development and capacity building in LMICS, for example overseeing the RSS’s partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.
Over the years, the committee has included members from academia, research bodies, the public sector, development practitioners and statisticians from UK and international aid organisations. We have three committee meetings a year – these are all being conducted online at present, but in ‘normal’ times too we are happy for people to attend remotely.
For the 2021 committee, we would particularly welcome applications from career-young statisticians, and statisticians working in LMICs. We hope that new members will come with fresh ideas for IDS activities, as well as being willing to help organise events at the RSS Conference and elsewhere. We are particularly keen to develop online methods of working, in order to engage better with statisticians based outside the UK.
If you would like to be considered for the committee, simply send an email (subject line ‘IDS Committee 2021’) to Jenny Church (the secretary) at
jennyjchurch@aol.com by
29 October 2020, with a paragraph (up to 250 words) summarising your background, why you would like to join, and what you feel you could contribute to the committee. Please note that to take up a position you need to be a fellow of the RSS.
The RSS is committed to ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who care about good data and statistics.