2016 WSS PRESIDENT'S INVITED LECTURE
Title: Tailored Training for Employees of Federal Statistical Agencies: Looking Back and Looking Forward
- Speaker: Frauke Kreuter, Director, Joint Program in Survey Methodology; Professor, University of Mannheim, Head of Statistical Methods Unit, Institute for Employment Research, Germany
- Chair: Chris Moriarity, WSS President
- Date/Time: Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 2:00-3:45 p.m.
The talk is from 2:00-3:15 followed by light refreshments. - Location: Offices of Mathematica-MPR 1100 1st Street NE, 12th
Floor, Washington DC 20002. Once in the building, inform the
receptionist at the first floor lobby that you are visiting Mathematica
for a WSS seminar. Then, take the elevators to the 12th floor and tell
the Mathematica receptionist that you are attending the WSS seminar.
Please call Mathematica's main office number (202 484-9220), if you
have trouble finding the building.
By Metro: Take the Red Line to either the NoMa-Gallaudet U. Station or Union Station. From the NoMa-Gallaudet U. Station, follow signs to exit at M Street. Then walk 1 block west on M street and 2 blocks south on 1st Street NE (the building will be on your right). From Union Station, walk north along 1st Street NE for about 4-5 blocks until you reach L Street (the building will be on your left after crossing L street).
By Car: Pay parking is available in the building parking garage, which is located 1 block east of North Capitol on L Street NE. - Guest List: To be placed on the attendance list, please RSVP to
Ranjana Kohli at RKohli@mathematica-mpr.com or
(202) 552-6456 at least 2 days in advance of the seminar. Provide
your name, affiliation, and contact information (e-mail is preferred).
Abstract:
A quarter century ago the idea of a Joint Educational Program emerged from the Federal Statistical agency heads, the then current head of the OMB Statistical Policy Office, and the chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. They recognized the mismatch between the disciplinary organizations of most universities and the technical staffing needs of the federal statistical system, and suggested that a new academic organization be formed. This led to the formation of the Joint Program in Survey Methodology as a center for graduate education and research in the DC area. The program started small, with noncredit short courses. Later, Masters and Ph.D degree programs, certificate and citation programs, and undergraduate offerings were added. With this presidential lecture the Washington Statistical Society recognizes and wants to highlight the enormous impact this program has had on the staffing within the Federal Statistical System, as well as the profession of survey methodology and survey statistics as a whole. As the federal statistical system faces changes in data collection and analysis needs, their requirements for staff training are changing as well. Many data sources are now available that are alternatives to surveys, and agencies are hoping that they will provide economical alternatives or supplements to sample surveys. Those changes are reflected in a significant shift in the educational offerings from the Joint Program, both in content and delivery mode. The presentation will introduce both, and we welcome a fruitful discussion about the way forward.
Slides (pdf)
