A visit from the Royal Statistical Society

The Department of Mathematics was pleased to welcome two representatives from the Royal Statistical Society to discuss the role of statistics in modern society and the Society’s efforts to promote the subject. First-Year Statistics module students on the University of Bolton Mathematics degree saw an interruption to normal activities recently due to a visit from the Royal Statistics Society (RSS). Rosie Sweeney (Membership Recruitment Manager) and Ricky McGowan (Professional Affairs and Accreditation Manager) both appeared on RSS behalf. The ubiquity of statistics in modern life – informing business both locally and nationally, as well as its use in driving government policy – makes those with a degree in the subject highly employable, particularly if accompanied by the membership and/or professional accreditation from a body such as the RSS.

As the only UK professional body offering membership to all statisticians, it affords its members the unique ability to network with statisticians working across a broad spectrum of disciplines within different sectors of employment. This, in turn, makes it a valuable resource for those seeking current and relevant career advice. In a talk to the first-year undergraduates, Sweeney and McGowan were keen to promote the role of the RSS and its efforts in developing the public awareness of statistics and data.

Our vision is ‘a world with data at the heart of understanding and decision-making’.

–Rosie Sweeney, Membership Recruitment Manager of the RSS

Developing an understanding of statistics, how it may be used to model our everyday life and the interpretation of collected data to stimulate change for the benefit of society was the main motivation for developing an MMath Mathematics with Statistics degree at the University of Bolton. Concluding with a question-and-answer session, Rosie and Ricky left the undergraduates with copies of “Significance” – the official magazine of the RSS written exclusively by statisticians from all aspects of professional life with articles on how and why statistics is beneficial – to peruse and digest, as well as a greater understanding of how a mathematics degree, specifically one specialising in statistics, helps promote their employability status within the UK and beyond.

If you would like any further details on the MMath Mathematics with Statistics degree offered at the University of Bolton, visit the Department of Mathematics blog or contact Dr Brian Williamson (b.williamson@bolton.ac.uk).