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ASA President Asks ASA Members for Input on Questions Regarding Statistical Sciences at NSF
In an email to ASA members on January 16, ASA President Marie Davidian requested input to questions about the statistical sciences and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The questions were sent at the request of "StatsNSF," the NSF committee – chaired by Iain Johnstone and Fred Roberts – charged with examining the current structure of support for the statistical sciences.

Because of the importance of this issue, I would also like to urge ASA members to provide answers to these questions (found here). This is an unprecedented opportunity to improve how the statistical sciences are viewed, engaged, and supported at the NSF.

StatsNSF was created last summer by outgoing NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences Assistant Director Ed Seidel, as reported in this ASA Community blog entry from August 17. Seidel's consideration of how NSF supports the statistical sciences was prompted by a proposal to change the name of the Division of Mathematical Sciences to the Division of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Seidel did not agree to the name change but, in announcing the creation of StatsNSF, acknowledged the need to "address the best ways to support statistical sciences at NSF and in our communities" and to “examine funding for statistical sciences research at NSF including organizational alternatives and new initiatives.”

The ASA has been soliciting comments to the general StatsNSF charge – how to better support the statistical sciences within NSF – since November. We are still seeking input on the general charge but also want statisticians to provide input on the more specific questions in Davidian's email. (The IMS and SIAM also received the new request from StatsNSF this month and has sent questions to their memberships.) Responses to the new questions will help inform specific ways the NSF could better support the statistical sciences.

Comments should be sent to president@amstat.org by February 1 for full consideration.

See also:

See other ASA Science Policy blog entries. For ASA science policy updates, follow @ASA_SciPol on Twitter.


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Dear ASA Member,

I write with an important request regarding “StatsNSF,” the committee charged by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with examining the current structure of support for the statistical sciences in the agency. As explained on this ASA webpage, StatsNSF has been asked, in part, to provide recommendations for ways to better structure and support statistical sciences across the NSF and to enhance the role of statistics in data-intensive NSF initiatives. The ASA has already requested member comments for this charge in a broad sense.

I write now to request your responses to the following questions:

  1. What should NSF do to further promote and facilitate the appropriate development of statistical science? Are there management structures that should be considered?
  2. Is research support in statistical science not requested from NSF because it lacks a home? If so, what might be a possible remedy?
  3. Are there complex or massive data problems that might be amenable to joint attack by several disciplines? If so, please specify.
  4. What are some examples of disciplinary areas that could benefit from statistical science methodologies that are already being employed in other areas?
  5. What are some examples of simultaneous development of statistical science methods for different fields that might benefit from cross-fertilization?
  6. Are there research areas in statistical science that, with sufficient funding support, could spur significant advances in science? If so, please specify.

These questions are based on sample questions sent to the ASA, SIAM, IMS and others by StatsNSF Co-Chairs Iain Johnstone and Fred Roberts. Question 6 was added by the ASA.

Please send your comments to me by February 1 at president@amstat.org. You also can send your input directly to statsnsf@nsf.gov, but StatsNSF prefers that societies gather the comments from their members.

This is a critical opportunity for ASA members to contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding the support provided to the statistical sciences by the NSF. I look forward to receiving your input on this important topic. Thank you.

Sincerely
Marie Davidian
2013 ASA President


Created By: Steve Pierson On: Wed, Jan 16, 2013 10:39 AM

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