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• Statistical Consulting Network Monthly Meet-Up

  • Start
    25 Feb 2026
  •  
  • End
    25 Nov 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Come along with your thinking cap, maybe a problem, and some lunch!

  The Statistical Consulting Network invites you to their monthly online meet-up, a virtual lunchtime meeting where statisticians help each other out with problems that they aren’t sure how to deal with.

  This virtual meeting is held on Zoom at lunchtime on the last Wednesday of each month, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (AEST). They start each meet-up with announcements, or occasionally a special topic discussion, then discuss problems that attendees have brought along with them.

  Zoom link

  Password: 543284

  Calendar invite: ​​Stats Consulting Network meeting.ics

  2026 Dates

  • Wednesday 25 February 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEDT
  • Wednesday 25 March 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEDT
  • Wednesday 29 April 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEST
  • Wednesday 27 May 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEST
  • Wednesday 24 June 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Wednesday 29 July 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEST
  • Wednesday 26 August 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEST
  • Wednesday 30 September 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEST
  • Wednesday 28 October 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEDT
  • Wednesday 25 November 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM AEDT

  
  The Statistical Consulting Network also has a Slack workspace where members of the consulting network can communicate between meetings, or post problems or relevant materials they would like to discuss during a meeting.​​

  Slack Workspace link  

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• Data Science SIG Monthly Catch Up

  • Start
    11 Jun 2026
  •  
  • End
    12 Nov 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  The Data Science SIG's monthly catch up is a place to share any ideas, challenges, cool tech, or anything else data science-related.

  Each month we'll come with something new to discuss, but anyone is welcome to lead the discussion. Just let the DSSIG committee know!

  The monthly meeting catch ups will be held via Zoom on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 2:00 - 3:00 PM (AEST).

  Zoom link

  2026 Dates

  • Thursday 11 June 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEST
  • Thursday 9 July 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEST
  • Thursday 13 August 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEST
  • Thursday 10 September 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEST
  • Thursday 8 October 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEDT
  • Thursday 12 November 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AEDT

  
  

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• ICOTS -12th International Conference on Teaching Statistics

  • Start
    12 Jul 2026
  •  
  • End
    17 Jul 2026
  •  
  • Location
    Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

  The 12th International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS 12), to be held in Brisbane, 12–17 July 2026, will be the first time ICOTS will be hosted in Australia.

  We are delighted to announce the ICOTS 12 keynote speakers:

  • Prof Mine Çetinkaya–Rundel – Duke University

  • Prof Dianne Cook – Monash University

  • Emeritus Prof Sir Peter Donnelly – Genomics PLC, University of Oxford

  • Prof Rob Gould – UCLA

  • Dr Elena Proden – UNITAR

  These outstanding speakers will bring a wealth of expertise and perspectives to ICOTS 12, setting the stage for an inspiring and thought-provoking program.

  Key dates:

  • Abstract submission deadline: 31 August 2025

  • Notification of acceptance: 30 September 2025

  • Optional refereed paper submission deadline: 30 November 2025

  • Final papers (refereed and non-refereed) due: 30 April 2026

  All accepted abstracts will appear in the official Conference Program and online Proceedings. Oral presenters are encouraged (but not required) to prepare a full paper for the Proceedings. Refereed papers will be clearly labelled as such.

  For more information, please visit: https://icots12.oa-event.com

  We look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane in 2026 for this landmark event in statistics education!

  
  

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• SSA NSW Branch: Getting Started with Positron: A Next-Generation IDE for Data Science

  • When
    22 Jul 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    352 Carslaw Learning Studio, Carslaw Building, University of Sydney
  • Spaces left
    23

  Register

  The New South Wales Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia invites you to a presentation titled "Getting Started with Positron: A Next-Generation IDE for data science" delivered by Dr. Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel (Duke University)

  Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026

  Times (AEST): 2 pm - 4 pm

  Venue: 352 Carslaw Learning Studio, Carslaw Building, University of Sydney

  Format: In person

  Abstract: Getting Started with Positron: A Next-Generation IDE for data science

  Positron is a next-generation data science IDE built by Posit PBC that combines the best features of RStudio and Visual Studio Code. This tutorial will introduce Python and R users to Positron’s core capabilities, with a special emphasis on helping RStudio and VS Code users while highlighting its

  seamless integration with the respective language ecosystems. For R programmers coming from RStudio, Positron delivers a familiar yet enhanced environment for data analysis and package development, while offering a path to Python when needed. For Python programmers coming from VS Code, Positron offers

  data science-specific enhanced capabilities for exploring and analyzing data, authoring, and publishing. Unlike traditional software-development-oriented IDEs, Positron provides first-class support for data science-specific workflows through its native support for R and Python, along with a designated, integrated UI for exploring Variables (Environment), Connections, Plots, Help, and more.

  
  

  Participants will learn how to set up Positron for their data science work and navigate its interface. They will gain practical experience with Positron’s data-focused tools including the Variables pane, Data Explorer, and Plot viewer. They will also get to try Positron’s AI-powered tools -- the built-in Posit Assistant. By the end of the tutorial, participants will be able to customize Positron to maintain their familiar RStudio and VS Code workflow patterns while gaining access to new capabilities and understanding how to effectively transition their R- or Python-based data science projects to this new environment.

  
  

  Prerequisites:

  Required: Experience with R and/or Python

  Nice to have: Experience with RStudio and/or VS Code

  Materials:

  - Bring a charged laptop

  - Install R: https://cran.r-project.org/

  - Install Positron: positron.posit.co/download

  
  

  Presenter Bio: Dr. Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel (Duke University)

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel is Professor of the Practice and the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Statistical Science and the Director of First-Year Experience at Duke University. She is also a Developer Educator at Posit, PBC, an open-source data science software company, formerly RStudio Inc. Mine's work focuses on innovation in statistics and data science pedagogy, with an emphasis on computing, reproducible research, student-centered learning, and open-source education. She also works on research projects that assess the effectiveness of these approaches for learning and retention.

  Mine has co-authored four open-source statistics textbooks as part of the OpenIntro project at the introductory college and advanced high school level, is the creator and maintainer of Data Science in a Box, and has been developing and teaching various massive open online courses, including the popular Statistics with R specialization on Coursera. In 2021, Mine was awarded the Robert V. Hogg Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Statistics.

  Mine is one of the co-leads of the international effort to host ASA DataFest, a two-day competition in which teams of undergraduate students work to uncover insights from a rich and complex data set, held annually at over fifty institutions across the globe.

  Any questions, please contact: Dr Connor Smith, connor.smith@mq.edu.au

  Show details
• SSA QLD Branch Seminar Series: Research showcase of ASC2025 QLD Branch Travel Grant Recipients

  • When
    22 Jul 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Research showcase of ASC2025 QLD Branch Travel Grant Recipients

  Register

  Join the Queensland Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia for an engaging Branch Seminar Series, featuring presentations from Queensland-based statisticians through a mix of hybrid and online seminars. In the first webinar of the series, we will showcase the innovative research presented by Queensland travel grant recipients at the 2025 Australian Statistical Conference (ASC2025). This session offers an opportunity to hear from four early career researchers about their statistical research, conference presentation, and their experience attending ASC2025.

  Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026

  Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm (AEST)

  Format: Online, details will be provided upon registration.

  Presenter Bios:

  Danyang Dai (Daidai) 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Danyang Dai (Daidai) is an applied statistician and infectious disease epidemiologist, finishing her PhD at the University of Queensland, whose research leverages advanced statistical methods and large-scale health data to generate policy-relevant insights in population health. In this presentation, she introduces metaextractoR, an open-source R package designed to streamline data extraction in systematic reviews and meta-analyses—traditionally a labor-intensive and error-prone process—by integrating open-source Large Language Models through the Ollama framework. The tool enables automated, structured, and reproducible workflows via modular Shiny applications, supporting a human-in-the-loop approach where researchers collaborate iteratively with LLMs and perform parallel double extraction in line with Cochrane guidelines. Running fully locally without external data transfer, metaextractoR prioritises privacy, transparency, and reproducibility through comprehensive logging, ultimately lowering technical barriers and empowering more efficient, reliable evidence synthesis.

  Nahida Afroz

  
  

  Nahida Afroz is a health data scientist, statistician, and population health researcher who recently completed her PhD in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland. Her research leverages advanced statistical modelling and large-scale longitudinal health datasets to generate policy-relevant insights into mental health, behavioural risk factors, health inequalities, and health service utilisation among children and adolescents. Her work has involved the analysis of major Australian cohort datasets including the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC), and Young Minds Matter (YMM), using advanced quantitative approaches such as structural equation modelling, latent class analysis, multilevel modelling, and longitudinal data analysis. In her research, Nahida combines methodological expertise in R, Stata, SPSS, and Python with applied public health research to support evidence-based decision-making and health policy development. She has published in leading international journals including Social Science & Medicine, Journal of Affective Disorders, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, and PLOS ONE, with ongoing research focusing on mental health epidemiology, Indigenous health, and longitudinal population health research.

  Prabhashrini Dhanushika Manage

  
  

  Prabhashrini Dhanushika Manage is a PhD Candidate and Sessional Academic in the School of Computer Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She is passionate about statistics and its role in building reliable, explainable, and trustworthy artificial intelligence. With a background in statistics, her research journey has gradually moved towards artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and transformer-based medical text classification. Her doctoral research focuses on uncertainty-aware machine learning, particularly addressing the reliability of transformer-based classifiers in high-stakes domains such as healthcare. Her ASC2025 presentation topic is “From Black-Box to Transparent AI: A Statistical Framework for Managing Uncertainty in Medical Text Classification”, which presents a statistically grounded framework for managing uncertainty and improving the reliability of AI models in medical text classification.

  Lijalem M. Tesfaw

  
  

  Lijalem M. Tesfaw, is a PhD candidate at the School of Public Health, The University of Queensland. He holds a BSc in Statistics from Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), MSc in Biostatistics from Hasselt University (Belgium), and an MSc in Industrial Statistics from Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia). His research interests lie in spatial epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental exposures, with a focus on kidney disease outcomes. He will present part of his PhD research titled “Mapping Kidney Failure Incidence in Australia: Statistical Spatial Analysis Approaches and Their Applications”. This study focuses on the geographic patterns of kidney failure incidence in Australia using various statistical approaches to improve understanding of how kidney failure is distributed across areas and how environmental and geographic factors contribute to this pattern.

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• SSA NSW Branch Seminar: The Future of Statistics Education: A Computational Perspective

  • When
    22 Jul 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    USyd F10A.01.117. Law Building Annex. Law Annex Seminar Room 117
  • Spaces left
    42

  Register

  The New South Wales Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia invites you to a presentation titled "The Future of Statistics Education: A Computational Perspective" delivered by Dr. Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel (Duke University)

  Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026

  Times (AEST): 5:30pm - 7:00pm 

  Venue: USyd F10A.01.117. Law Building Annex. Law Annex Seminar Room 117 

  Format: In person

  Abstract: The Future of Statistics Education: A Computational Perspective

  Statistics education stands at a critical juncture as we navigate the intersection of traditional statistical theory, modern computational approaches, and emerging AI technologies. This talk examines how statisticians can reimagine curricula by embracing computation as a foundational element rather than an afterthought. While traditional statistics education has prioritized theoretical frameworks and applications, computation has emerged as the backbone of contemporary data analysis—from data acquisition and wrangling to visualization, modeling, and communication. Now, AI tools are further transforming this landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for statistics and data science educators. The presentation will outline a forward-looking curriculum model for introductory courses that balances statistical thinking, data science methods, and explicit computational instruction.

  Presenter Bio: Dr. Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel (Duke University)

  

  
  

  Dr. Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel is a Professor of the Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Statistical Science as well as the Director of FirstYear Experience in Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke University and a leading voice in modern statistics and data science education. Her work focuses on integrating reproducible computing, open-source tools, and real-world data into the statistics curriculum, transforming how students engage with data and statistical thinking. She is a core contributor to the OpenIntro project and an advocate for open educational resources and statistical computing in R. A Fellow of the American Statistical Association and an Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, she has received numerous honors, including the ASA’s Waller Education Award and the Robert V. Hogg Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Statistics. She currently serves as Vice President of the International Association for Statistical Education (IASE) and as co-chair of the ASA's DataFest Steering Committee. Through her teaching, writing, and advocacy, Dr. ÇetinkayaRundel has advanced accessible, computation-rich, and reproducible data science education worldwide.

  
  

  Any questions, please contact: Dr. Tom Stindl - t.stindl@unsw.edu.au

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• The Personal Journey of Don McNeil: A Webinar by Early Career & Student Statisticians Network and History Standing Committee of SSA

  • When
    28 Jul 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  This series of webinars, a collaboration between the Early Career & Student Statisticians Network (ECSSN) and the History Standing Committee of the Statistical Society of Australia, explores the personal journeys of senior Australian statisticians who have made a significant impact.

  Through these conversations, we delve into their career paths, challenges, and achievements, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for early career and student statisticians.

  Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026

  Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm (AEST)

  Format: Online via Zoom. Details provided upon registration

  Abstract:

  
  

  The interview of Don for up to 40 minutes, will be conducted by Malcolm Hudson. There will then be a Q & A by a member of the ECSSN.

  
  

  Bio: Don McNeil

  
  Don received his secondary schooling at St Virgils College, Hobart, Tasmania. He was Dux of School and awarded first place in the University Entrance Scholarship with prizes for Physics & Chemistry. He enrolled at the University of Tasmania and received a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics. He then moved to the Australian National University where he earned a PhD in Statistics under the direction of P A P Moran.
  

  Following an invitation from G S Watson, he joined the faculty of the Department of Statistics at Princeton University, where he was profoundly influenced by J W Tukey, particularly Tukey’s revolutionary work on Exploratory Data Analysis, and shortly thereafter published his own book of BASIC algorithms enabling statisticians and Statistics students to explore data with the new methods that Tukey had introduced. After six years, he returned to Australia early in 1976 to take up a position as Foundation Professor of Statistics in the School of Economic & Financial Studies at Macquarie University. He held this position for 25 years before ‘retiring’ in 2001. Subsequently, he helped to run a graduate program at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand where he received an Honorary DSc.

  Thus, Don has never really retired: in fact, he has contributed to the book "Who Says I Am Retired" published in 2018 by the Social Security Research Centre at the University of Malaya.

  His research interests include Medicine & Public Health, Environmental & Climate Science, Financial Modelling, and Data Science Analytics. He has more than 85 publications. One of the better known is Modern statistics: an introduction, published in 2012 and co-authored with Jenny Middledorp.

  Why Attend?

  • Learn from Experience: Don's journey offers rich insights into building a career in statistics while leading innovations in education.
  • Be Inspired: Discover how one person’s passion for teaching and statistical thinking can influence thousands across disciplines and borders.
  • Contribute to History: This webinar will be recorded, with a transcript prepared to support the History Standing Committee’s work in documenting the evolution of statistics education in Australia.

  Who Should Attend?

  • Early career statisticians
  • Students aspiring to work in statistics or related fields
  • Anyone interested in the history and future of statistics education

  Click here to view recordings and transcripts for previous webinars in the series.

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• SSA and NZSA Mentoring Program Professional Skills Webinar Series. Webinar 4: Unlock your Mentoring Potential

  • When
    30 Jul 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  Join us for the SSA Mentoring Program Professional Skills Webinar Series, which in 2026 will be co-delivered with the NZSA Mentor Programme. This online professional development series is invaluable to statisticians who are looking to improve and enhance their skills in communication, time and project management. 

  
  

  Webinar 4: 

  Unlock your Mentoring Potential

  Presenter: Lisa Thomasen, Fonterra, New Zealand

  Date and Time: Thursday 30 July 2026, 12:00pm (AEST)

  
  

  Abstract

  Mentoring can be a gamechanger for many individuals, with participants from both the SSA and NZSA Mentoring Programs sharing the benefits they’ve experienced. Every mentoring relationship is unique, with experiences varying widely. This session will explore some of the key differences between mentoring relationships with a focus on formality, longevity and preparation including tips on how to customise your mentoring relationship to make mentoring work for you. 

  
  

  Presenter's Bio - Lisa Thomasen

  

  Lisa Thomasen has been a consultant statistician in industry for the past decade and is currently lead research statistician at Fonterra in New Zealand. Her work includes modelling milk powder functionality, analysing cheesecake performance, and investigating consumer preferences of yoghurts. Lisa co-ordinates the New Zealand Statistical Association (NZSA) mentoring program and was the 2024 recipient of the NZSA Campbell Award for her advocacy for students, early-career, and professional statisticians alongside her mentoring and community-building initiatives in this space.

  
  

  Webinars:

  • Webinar 1: Thursday 23 April 2026 12:00pm (AEST). Building a team, one person at a time - A/Prof David Price, Doherty Institute
  • Webinar 2: Thursday 7 May 2026 11:00am (AEST). Effective networking as a statistician - Prof Kelley M Kidwell, University of Michigan

  • Webinar 3: Thursday 18 June 2026 12:00pm (AEST). Robust reproducible research - Dr Simon Tuke, University of Adelaide

  • Webinar 4: Thursday 30 July 2026 12:00pm (AEST). Unlock your Mentoring Potential -  Lisa Thomasen, Fonterra, New Zealand

  
  

  Fees:

  • Mentoring program participants – Free (both SSA and NZSA) Registration code required
  • Non SSA/NZSA Members – $60.00 
  • SSA/NZSA Members – $30.00 

  
  

  Cancellation Policy:

  Cancellations received prior to two weeks before the event will be refunded, minus the Stripe processing fee (1.75% + $0.30 per transaction) and an SSA administration fee of $20.

  From then on, no part of the registration fee will be refunded. However, registrations are transferable within the same organisation. Please advise any changes to events@statsoc.org.au.  

  Show details
• ADSN Pre-Conference Workshop: Modern Data Linkage Methods and Implementation Using Splink

  • When
    25 Nov 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    In-person only: ABS House, Belconnen, ACT
  • Spaces left
    30

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Pre-conference workshop
  

  Join us for a separate one-day pre-conference workshop on probabilistic linking using the Python package Splink, presented by Aymon Wuolanne and Daniel Fearnley from the Data Linking Methodology section in the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The workshop will cover the theory underpinning probabilistic linking, as well as how to perform a basic Splink linkage. It will also explore advanced techniques for customising Splink for specific use cases. No prior background in probabilistic linking theory is required, although a basic understanding of Python is recommended.

  The workshop will be held day before the Australian Data Science Network Conference and  is open to everyone, not just conference delegates.

  Please note that workshop registration is separate from conference registration.

  Key Learnings:

  Participants will come away with an understanding of the fundamental methods underlying probabilistic linkage and how to perform linkages using Splink.

  Presenter Bio:

  Daniel Fearnley

  

  Daniel Fearnley joined the ABS in 2011, and has spent the last 3 years in Data Linking Methodology where he has led the team responsible for assessing the feasibility of the probabilistic linkage tool Splink, and the transition to using Splink as the default linking tool for all ABS person-level linkages. His team won the 2026 APS Data Award in Data System and Innovation for their work on Splink. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys cooking and running (because he likes cooking) and earlier this year he and his wife watched every game of the FIFA World Cup.

  Aymon Wuolanne

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Aymon Wuolanne joined the ABS as a graduate in 2022 and is currently a methodologist in Data Linking Methodology. In 2025 he won the Ken Foreman Award for his work on building the Person Linkage Spine using Splink, and was a member of the team that won the 2026 APS Data Award in Data System and Innovation for their work on Splink. Outside of work, Aymon enjoys walking, reading, video games and running much slower than Daniel.

  Cancellation Policy

  Refunds: Cancellations made more than two weeks before the event are eligible for a refund, minus: Stripe processing fee: 1.75% + $0.30 per transaction and SSA administration fee: $20. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within two weeks of the event.

  
  

  Transfer of Registration: Registrations can be transferred to another person within the same organisation at any time. Please notify changes via email: events@statsoc.org.au 

  
  

  For more information, please contact Ben Harrap : benjamin.harrap@anu.edu.au

  
  

   

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• ADSN Conference 2026

  • Start
    26 Nov 2026
  •  
  • End
    27 Nov 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    In-person only: ABS House, Belconnen, ACT
  • Spaces left
    108

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Join us in the nation’s capital for the annual Australian Data Science Network Conference. This year’s theme is From Data to Decisions, which focuses on impactful data science that informs decisions, changes minds, and shapes policy.

  Conference registration covers both days of the conference and includes registration for the social event in the evening of the first day.

  Visit the conference website for more details: Australian Data Science Network Conference 2026 – ADSN2026

  Cancellation Policy

  
  

  Refunds: Cancellations made more than two weeks before the event are eligible for a refund, minus: Stripe processing fee: 1.75% + $0.30 per transaction and SSA administration fee: $20. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within two weeks of the event.

  
  

  Transfer of Registration: Registrations can be transferred to another person within the same organisation at any time. Please notify changes via email: events@statsoc.org.au 

  
  

  
  

  
  

   

  Show details