How access to decision-makers affects influence in Europe

Reporting on Day 1 from the 65th World Statistics Congress, organized by the International Statistical Institute and taking place in The Hague, ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein has the pleasure of walking to the opening ceremony with Grace Wahba, recipient of the 2025 International Prize in Statistics, and her husband, David Callen. Grace was honored during the opening session, which also featured a lively shanty choir and recognition of several distinguished contributors to the field. The WSC is the premier global gathering of the statistics and data science community, drawing nearly 2,000 participants from academia, government, and industry to share insights, explore emerging trends, and strengthen international collaboration. Watch Ron’s video and stay tuned for more reports this week from this special international event. #WorldStatisticsCongress #WSC2025 #InternationalStatistics #DataScience #Statistics #InternationalPrizeInStatistics #GlobalStatistics

As I've spent a good deal of time in DC this year, I am frequently asked for advice about how to speak about policymakers. It's important to recognize that policymakers are hearing from many voices. My framework for decision-making focuses on data, perspectives and time. Be armed with data and ensure you can articulate it. Understand different ways to view the problem and the perspective of the policymaker. Take your time to prepare and to ensure you understand the full scope of the issue as well as what's on the table in Washington. As leaders, we must invest the time to reflect, revisit and refine our approach with legislators as we continue to advocate for medicine and science.

One of the outcomes we seek to achieve is to strengthen capacity in evidence use for decision-making. We do this by building institutional systems, training policymakers and researchers, and promoting a culture where every decision is guided by data and evidence. Read more of this work in our 2024 annual report: https://bit.ly/4pW7Bjc

Jonathan Schwabish—economist, data visualization expert, and Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute—helps researchers communicate their findings clearly and effectively.  In Communicating to Build Trust, he shares best practices for visualizing and translating data for broader audiences. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eUrQ3Waz 

Earlier this month, we published a new report which sought to learn more about public opinions of data access for research 🙋♀️ In a new blog post from Katie Oldfield, Senior Engagement Manager, discover how we involved the public through workshops on topics including: 🤝 defining 'public good' 💼 private sector access to public sector data 💬 how the public should be involved in how their data is used. Read the blog 👇 https://lnkd.in/e5sKibji

Our accredited researchers gain access to administrative data research to analyse public data for the public good. One of ADR Scotland's delivery partners, Research Data Scotland, has developed a platform called the Researcher Access Service, which will enable researchers to receive the data quicker. Here, Katie, their Engagement Manager, explains how their workshops with the public went, when discussing how public sector data should be accessed for research, for what reasons and by whom. ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK) Shayda Kashef DARE UK Jane Barr

📚 Boost your research capabilities with Desk Research 2.0 , designed to help researchers maximise the effectiveness of desk research in today’s data-rich world. Whether you're new to desk research or looking to refine your approach, this course offers valuable insights and proven techniques to get the right intelligence for your next research project. 📌 Desk Research 2.0 📅 16 October 👉 Book now: https://lnkd.in/eKEArkph Led by industry veterans Stephen Bairfelt and Trevor Wilkinson, this course blends theory with practical exercises to help you: ♦️ Identify and evaluate market intelligence sources ♦️ Conduct desk research with confidence and rigour ♦️ Integrate primary and secondary research effectively ♦️ Analyse and validate findings ♦️ Uncover the story behind the data #MarketResearch #DeskResearch #InsightProfessionals #MRStraining #DataAnalysis #SecondaryResearch #ProfessionalDevelopment #ResearchSkills

The latest Scioto Analysis newsletter is out! This month’s edition dives into the data, analysis, and stories behind smarter public policy in Ohio and beyond. From cost-benefit insights to real-world applications, we’re sharing the evidence that drives better decisions. If you care about how rigorous analysis can shape more effective, equitable policy, you’ll want this in your inbox. Subscribe at the bottom of this page: https://lnkd.in/gFbQndZ2 Here’s a quick preview from today’s newsletter 👇

leaders rarely use raw #data directly for decision making. Instead, they are likely to be a consumer of statistics calculated by their direct reports to help them make informed decisions. #BI https://ow.ly/h5IY50W1ZCs

Critical thinking + informational literacy and primary source research impact areas not only in libraries or archives but also is foundational to data analysis and market research. Both domains seek patterns, context, and reliability. Both demand discernment between noise and significance. Yet these practices are rarely spoken about in the same conversation. Could a stronger connection between scholarly inquiry and commercial insight reshape how we evaluate evidence, anticipate change, and make decisions in complex, quickly evolving markets?