Hosted by the GPH Department of Biostatistics
Join Robert L. Santos, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau for a presentation about the real challenge facing applied statisticians, data scientists, analysts.
Academia is great about creating curriculum that prepares aspiring scientists, analysts, researchers for the technical challenges needed for a successful career. Analytic tools can be complex, and they take time to learn well. But sometimes, the most important tool one needs is not that of a method, but of a process. Naturally, critical thinking is best used at all stages of the research process. It is particularly helpful at the beginning when the research questions are being developed. Yet all too often, statistical and data analytic expertise is brought in “when needed.” Sometimes we are consulted at the beginning of a study, to be asked how large of a case count is needed; sometimes, at the end, we're directed to execute an analysis that may or may not address the study objectives. And sometimes we are brought into the middle of study when something goes wrong, to help salvage some modicum of scientific rigor in the analysis.
This talk will leverage a few stories from Santos' career to illustrate the scientific value of utilizing perhaps the most important tool anyone can bring to a research study: their brain – i.e., critical thinking combined with their ‘whole selves’ (values, cultures, life, and work experiences, etc.) to offer unique perspectives and contributions to just about any scientific endeavor.
About the Speaker:
Robert L. Santos (he/him) is the 26th director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Prior to his appointment, he served as vice president and chief methodologist at the Urban Institute where he directed its Statistical Methods Group. Santos’ career spans over 40 years in survey research, statistical design and analysis, and executive-level management. He has held leadership positions in the nation’s top survey research organizations, including the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, and Temple University’s Institute for Survey Research. His research interests and experiences include quantitative and qualitative research design, such as program evaluation, needs assessments, survey methodology, and survey operations. In addition, he has expertise in demographic and administrative data, decennial censuses, social policy research, and equity issues in research. Mr. Santos is a fellow and former president of the American Statistical Association (ASA), has served as an elected member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Center for Health Statistics. He is the recipient of the ASA Founder’s Award (2006), the AAPOR Award for Exceptionally Distinguished Achievement (2021), and the 2022 Ohtli Award, the highest recognition bestowed by the Mexican Government in recognition of contributions by persons in the U.S. who contribute exceptionally to the development of the Mexican community. In 2023, he received MALDEF's Excellence in Community Service Award. He has a B.A. degree in mathematics from Trinity University in San Antonio and an M.A. degree in statistics from the University of Michigan.