Institute of Mathematical Statistics

Overview

The Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) is a professional and scholarly society dedicated to the development, dissemination, and application of statistics and probability. The IMS is one of the principal international organizations fostering the development of mathematical statistics and its applications. Its members include statisticians, mathematicians, and scientists who apply statistical and probabilistic methods in their work.

A logo of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, featuring a stylized representation of a bell curve.

History

The IMS was founded in 1935, when statistics was just beginning to emerge as a separate mathematical discipline. The founding members, including Harold Hotelling, Jerzy Neyman, and Samuel S. Wilks, were pioneers in the field of mathematical statistics.

Membership

Membership in the IMS is open to anyone who is interested in statistics or probability. The IMS offers several levels of membership, including regular, life, student, and retired memberships. Members receive several benefits, including access to IMS publications, reduced registration fees for IMS meetings, and the opportunity to participate in the governance of the IMS.

Publications

The IMS publishes several scholarly journals, including the Annals of Statistics, the Annals of Applied Statistics, the Annals of Probability, and the Annals of Applied Probability. These journals are among the top-ranking statistics and probability journals in the world. The IMS also publishes the Bulletin of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, a newsletter that provides information about the activities and members of the IMS.

Meetings and Conferences

The IMS sponsors several meetings and conferences each year, including the IMS Annual Meeting, the Bernoulli Society World Congress, and various regional and special-topic meetings. These meetings provide opportunities for members to present their research, learn about the latest developments in the field, and network with other professionals.

Awards and Honors

The IMS recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of mathematical statistics through several awards and honors. These include the Neyman Lecture, the Wald Lecture, the Rietz Lecture, the Medallion Lectures, and the IMS Fellows. The Neyman Lecture, Wald Lecture, and Rietz Lecture are named after prominent statisticians who made significant contributions to the field.

Governance

The IMS is governed by an Executive Committee, which includes the President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer, Program Secretary, and five additional members. The Executive Committee is responsible for the overall direction and management of the IMS.