Guest blog by Clare Morris, Vice President for Professional Affairs, Royal Statistical Society
Last week we published
The Future Statistician: a joint Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and Government Statistical Service (GSS) vision for the profession over the coming decade. It sets out how statisticians can keep serving the public good in a fast-changing world.
This is more than a routine professional update. It takes a long view of the discipline and is a clear statement of intent about the role statisticians must play in shaping decisions, policy and public understanding in a complex data landscape.
The themes should resonate across and beyond the GSS. Statisticians have long brought rigour and collaboration to real-world problems: this report shows how these strengths should be developed and built on, in the context of anticipated future challenges, and the
Code of Practice for Statistics.
At its core, the report presents the future statistician as a trusted expert using modern tools to support better decisions. These qualities are familiar, but the context is changing rapidly – demanding new skills, relevant standards and a modern professional identity. Standing still is not an option.
The report identifies five priority areas for action:
These priorities align closely with the RSS’s role: supporting statisticians throughout their careers while upholding high professional and ethical standards. Our collaboration with the GSS has deepened our understanding of emerging needs and will help shape future plans. As the profession evolves, we must ensure that our training, continuing professional development and accreditations evolve to meet changing needs.
The report also stresses communication as a core skill. Statisticians are increasingly expected to explain evidence clearly, challenge misuse of data, and support public debate – skills as vital as technical expertise
The Future Statistician is intended as a starting signal. It begins a wider programme of joint work between the GSS, the RSS and the broader community. We all have a role in shaping how this vision becomes reality. I would encourage colleagues across government, academia and industry to read the report and reflect on what it means for their own roles and teams. Our profession’s strength lies in its breadth and its willingness to engage with change.
The coming decade will test how well evidence, data and statistical reasoning are understood and applied. If we meet the challenge with ambition and stay true to our values, the profession can become even more central to the way in which society understands evidence and makes informed decisions.