[Colloq] Talk - Rebecca W. Doerge - Thursday December 18, 10am, Dodge 50 - The Role and Importance of Modern Interdisciplinary Statistics in Academics

[Biron, Jessica]

Speaker: Rebecca W. Doerge
Trent and Judith Anderson Distinguished Professor of Statistics; Head of Department of Statistics; Professor of Agronomy; Purdue University

Title: “The Role and Importance of Modern Interdisciplinary Statistics in Academics”
Time/Location: Thursday December 18, 10am, Dodge 50

About the speaker:
Biography: http://www.stat.purdue.edu/~doerge/DoergeBio_011714.pdf
Website: http://www.stat.purdue.edu/people/faculty/doerge

Abstract:
Historically, applied and interdisciplinary Statistics have taken a backseat to theoretical and mathematical statistics. Currently our ability to collect large amounts of complex high-dimensional data has brought a modern relevance to applied and interdisciplinary statistics, but at the same time created some confusion about the divide between, and identity of, Statistics and Computer Science.  The purpose of this discussion is to bring focus to the important issues that are currently challenging the role of modern statistical science. The Department of Statistics, Purdue University will be used as the example; the successes and failures as it gained a reputation for being a modern forward-thinking hub of theoretical and applied interdisciplinary statistics will provide useful insight for anyone who is considering the role and importance of statistics in an academic environment.  Specifically, we will discuss hiring faculty with the appropriate skills, such that the responsibilities of educating the non-specialists, the next generation of scientists, and the modern statistician are fulfilled. Differences between consulting, collaboration and independent research will be discussed in an effort to describe how faculty prosper (e.g., funding) and achieve recognition (e.g., tenure and promotion) for their contributions.  Finally, the role of computing in all academic aspects of a modern applied statistics unit will be discussed.

Refreshments will be served prior to the talk