The RSS has played a significant role in helping to turn around plans to dismantle the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (PRIS).
Significance, the RSS and American Statistical Association (ASA) flagship magazine, published two articles earlier this year regarding proposals by the Puerto Rican government that were likely to have led to the dismantling of PRIS as an independently controlled entity.
Initial investigations and reporting by Significance drew attention to the issue within the RSS and ASA, who followed up with a range of actions to defeat the proposals. The plans were opposed by 47 scientific organisations from around the world, including the RSS and ASA, and this group signed a letter to the Puerto Rican government recommending that PRIS remain ‘an autonomous entity of the Government of Puerto Rico’
Plans were altered at the 11th hour, meaning the agency will continue as an independently controlled, government funded entity for the time being.
Steve Pierson, director of science policy at ASA, tweeted: ‘Thanks to @signmagazine for bringing this issue to our attention and the world's attention and for their excellent reporting on the developments!’
The RSS is aware that the plans may be revisited in the future so we are keeping a close eye out for any further developments on the issue.