Section on Statistical Computing P.M. Roundtable Discussion (Added Fee)

Wednesday, Aug 6: 12:30 PM - 1:50 PM
Roundtables – Lunch 
Music City Center 
Room: CC-Dean Grand Ballroom A2 

Main Sponsor

Section on Statistical Computing

Presentations

WL08: Pros and Cons of Different User Interfaces for Statistical Software

Statistical software programs feature very different approaches to user interfaces, ranging from entirely command line or code based to those with extensive graphical user interfaces offering point and click access to executed code, to interfaces that seek to automate analyses based on very simple user selections, or even via prompted inputs to chat bots based on large language models. This discussion will cover pros and cons of various interface approaches from the perspectives of users of varying levels of statistical and programming expertise, with special attention to potential pitfalls of highly automated approaches. 

Keywords

statistical software

user interface 

Presenting Author

David Nichols, Northwestern University

WL09: From Faculty Hiring to Collaborative Success: Building a Thriving Academic Career

Sponsored by the Section on Computing, this roundtable explores essential strategies for launching and sustaining an academic career in statistics and biostatistics. Topics include finding new collaborative opportunities as a junior faculty and building effective collaborative teams. Dr. Lin and Dr. Talafha have extensive expertise in collaborating with cell biologists and social scientists, respectively, and participants can share their experience with other types of collaborations. Participants will learn how to identify institutional support, communicate across disciplines, and manage projects. We'll share practical advice on crafting applications, balancing teaching demands, and mentoring students. Emphasizing interdisciplinary, computationally driven practice, this session equips early-career researchers to succeed. Attendees will gain tips for forging partnerships, aligning research agendas, and expanding professional networks. We will discuss common pitfalls for achieving synergy within diverse teams. Join us to discover how collaboration and computing can shape the next generation of academic leaders. 

Keywords

Faculty Hiring

Academic Career Development

Seeking Collaborations

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Early-Career Mentorship 

Co-Author

Ahmad Talafha, St.Edward's University

Presenting Author

Kevin Lin, University of Washington