The first event in our series of Covid-19 evidence sessions takes place on 5 April, 3-5pm. We have opened a callout for short, two-minute contributions to this event.
The event is on the subject of communication during the pandemic and will be looking at issues around data, statistical analyses and modelling. It is organised by co-chair of our Covid-19 Task Force, Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter with Task Force member, Professor Jennifer Rogers, and science journalist, Tom Chivers.
There will be four keynote speakers: John Burn-Murdoch (data reporter at the Financial Times), Oliver Johnson (director of the Institute for Statistical Science at Bristol University and an influential commentator on the pandemic), Will Moy (chief executive at Full Fact) and Hannah Ritchie (head of research at Our World in Data).
At the event we will investigate the following questions:
- How effectively have data providers, government representatives, the media and commentators communicated with the public on issues involving data, statistical analyses and modelling?
- How have different statistical definitions impacted how information is communicated to the public?
- How well has uncertainty been communicated, including in modelling?
- How good were the visualisations used to communicate with the public?
- How has data being accessible to the public improved communication – and was data accessible enough for this purpose?
- Was enough done to try and prevent information becoming misinformation?
If you have views on any of these questions and would like to make a short, two-minute contribution to the event, please give some details of what you would like to say in the link below.
There are a limited number of slots available for this event and we do not anticipate being able to offer a speaking slot to everyone who responds to this call. Our aim is to represent the breadth of opinion on these topics, so we will try and select speakers on that basis. The time-keeping for these contributions will be strictly capped at two-minutes to ensure that the maximum number of people are able to speak.
If you are selected, we will invite you to contribute to the event on Tuesday 5 April, 3-5pm. You can contribute in person, if you would like to come in to the RSS, or you can contribute remotely. You do not need to register in advance in order to attend if your contribution is selected.
The call for contributions will close at 2pm on Friday 25 March.
Answer the call for contributions here.
Register for the in-person event.
Register for the online event.