We are deeply saddened to hear the news that RSS fellow Professor Chris Skinner has recently died.
Chris was a professor of statistics at the London School of Economics whose research focused on statistical aspects of survey methodology. He had authored over 80 peer‐reviewed articles in statistical journals as well as co‐editing two influential books on the analysis of survey data.
Before moving to the LSE in 2011, Chris was professor of statistics at the University of Southampton, where he was instrumental in setting up a collaborative MSc programme in Official Statistics with the Office for National Statistics. He directed the ESRC Centre for Applied Social Surveys, the European Science Foundation programme on Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences and was the founding Director of ESRC's National Centre for Research Methods. He also served on statistical methods advisory committees in Canada and the UK in the 2000s.
Chris was active in the RSS; he was joint editor for Series C journal and served on Council in the 2000s. In 2009, he received the Society’s West Medal. He was also a fellow of the American Statistical Association and an elected member of the International Statistical Institute. In 2010 he was awarded a CBE for services to social science.
Past RSS president Tim Holt said: 'Chris Skinner was quietly spoken and relatively unassertive but these characteristics concealed a brilliant mind and a top class survey statistician. His extensive academic achievements, and the honours that followed, reflect this. He was recognised and valued by the major international leaders in his field and worked with many. Through his many successful research students he leaves a legacy which will continue to shape our subject. But above all of this, he was a joy to have as a colleague and friend.'
An interview with Chris recently appeared in International Statistical Review, which documents Chris’s career in statistics with reminiscences from his time in Southampton.
Chris will be sadly missed by all those at the Society who worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.