Welcome to the Government Statistics Section
American Statistical Association
The Government Statistics Section (GSS) fosters ongoing dialogue among statisticians developing and applying methods for government data and statistical products, promoting the exchange of cutting-edge practices and advancing the field. It provides opportunities for members to better understand and evaluate the quality, continuity, comparability, appropriateness, accessibility, relevance, and timeliness of government statistical activities, as well as the role of professional statisticians in public programs. GSS co-sponsors the Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award, the Wray Jackson Smith Scholarship, and the Roger Herriot Award, and sponsors the Pat Doyle Award, recognizing excellence in innovation, service, and mentorship. The section also organizes workshops, conference sessions, and continuing education offerings, supports a mentoring program, and creates professional development opportunities for statisticians at all career stages.
Upcoming Events
2026 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM)
The Government Statistics Section (GSS) is sponsoring a robust set of mission-enabling sessions at the Joint Statistical Meetings 2026. These sessions promote survey science, the rigorous application of survey research methods, and their critical role in informing policy and countering misinformation across statistics and data science.
GSS is the primary sponsor of:
- 5 invited sessions
- 5 topic-contributed sessions
- 6 regular-contributed sessions
- 7 contributed speed presentations
- 5 contributed posters
- 1 professional development course
- 2 roundtable lunches
Featured Invited Sessions
- Bayesian Dependent Data Models and Machine Learning for Official Statistics and Survey Methodology
- Combining Probability and Non-Probability Data: Considerations, Methods, and Applications
- Challenging Aspects of Small Area and Survey Research
- Innovative Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Survey Data
Additional Programming Highlights
Programming spans key topics including:
- Small area estimation and complex survey methods
- Data integration and synthetic data
- Administrative and external data use
- Editing, imputation, and disclosure limitation
- Applications of AI and machine learning in official statistics
For full details, please visit the JSM Online Program.
Special Events
- Student Paper Competition Winners’ Presentations (GSS/SRMS/SSS): Wednesday, August 5 at 10:30 AM
- GSS/SRMS/SSS/WSS Joint Mixer: Date, time, and location coming soon
Awards
2025 GSS Award Winners
GSS is proud to recognize outstanding contributions to government statistics and the broader statistical community.
Roger Herriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics
Recipient: Daniell Toth
Recognized for groundbreaking applications of machine learning to complex survey designs and major contributions to statistical confidentiality and disclosure limitation, including development of the widely used rpms package.
Pat Doyle Award
Recipient: Claire Bowen
Honored for exceptional leadership and service to GSS, including strengthening section operations, fostering engagement, and building an inclusive community.
Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award
Recipient: Yang Cheng
Recognized for outstanding mentorship across federal agencies and academia, supporting the growth and success of early-career statisticians.
Wray Jackson Smith Award
Recipient: Elizabeth Wagner
Honored for impactful research and commitment to advancing statistical applications in support of government service.
GSS Archives
Newsletters under the Documents tab now include newsletters from June 1994 to Spring 2023.
Meeting Minutes under the Documents tab now include minutes from 2011 through 2022.
(See Archives for meeting minutes from August 2000 to December 2010.)
Support GSS: Become a Corporate Sponsor
High-quality government statistics are essential for informed decision making across all sectors. GSS works to advance excellence in statistical practice at the federal, state, local, and international levels.
Your sponsorship helps us to:
- Promote best practices in government data production and use
- Advance secure and innovative data dissemination
- Support a strong and diverse statistical workforce
- Improve data quality for policy and program evaluation
- Foster development and sharing of sound statistical methods
Sponsor benefits include:
- Recognition in Amstat News, GSS communications, and the GSS website
- Access to the GSS listserv for collaboration and outreach
- A complimentary seat at a GSS JSM luncheon roundtable
For more information about sponsorship, please contact Moira Skelley (moira@amstat.org).