North American Meeting of New Researchers

Texas A&M Research Foundation, College Station TX

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal describes plans for the Thirteenth Meeting of New Researchers in Statistics and Probability to be held in the campus of British Columbia, Vancouver, during July 27--July 30, 2010. Housing, meals, and conference facilities will be provided on campus. This conference series is organized by and held for junior researchers. The primary objective is to provide a much needed venue for interaction among new researchers. In contrast with large meetings, this conference will be restricted in size, with a target of 85-90 participants. Sessions will be followed by panel discussions and breaks to facilitate interactions. Participants will be statisticians and probabilist who have received their Ph.D. within the past five years or are expecting to receive their degree within the next year. Each participant will present a talk or poster. Topics will range across a variety of areas in statistical research from theory and methods to applications. Senior speakers will discuss topics of particular interest to new researchers. Panel discussions during the conference will cover the topics of journal publications, opportunities in statistics laboratories and industry, funding, mentoring, and teaching. The intellectual merit of this proposal is based on its human resource development. The professional development of new researchers is stimulated by promoting their interaction, creating networks of colleagues (which is usually difficult at a large meeting, such as the Joint Statistical Meeting). Participants present their work in a smaller, more controlled conference environment, maximizing their intellectual interaction and growth. The primary goals of the conference are professional education of new researchers and to help create a network among these junior researchers, both are vital parts of professional growth. Women, minorities, and the disabled are explicitly encouraged to attend, and we have an established track record of attracting participants from these categories.