Royal Statistical Society
Overview
The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is a professional body for statisticians and data analysts in the United Kingdom. It was first established in 1834 as the Statistical Society of London, making it one of the oldest statistical societies in the world. The society works to promote the understanding and use of statistics for the public good. It provides a platform for statisticians and data analysts to exchange ideas and develop new methodologies.
History
The RSS was founded on 15 March 1834 as the Statistical Society of London. The inaugural meeting took place at the British Coffee House in Cockspur Street in London. The founding members included Charles Babbage, Adolphe Quetelet, and William Farr, who were all prominent figures in the field of statistics at the time. The society was granted its royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1887, and it has been known as the Royal Statistical Society since then.
Activities
The RSS engages in a wide range of activities to promote the use of statistics. These include organizing meetings and conferences, publishing journals, providing training and professional development opportunities, and advocating for the importance of statistics in policy making. The society also awards the Guy Medals in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of statistics.
Publications
The RSS publishes several academic journals, including the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series A (Statistics in Society), Series B (Statistical Methodology), Series C (Applied Statistics), and Series D (The Statistician). These journals cover a wide range of topics in statistics and are highly regarded in the academic community.
Membership
Membership of the RSS is open to anyone with an interest in statistics. The society offers several grades of membership, including Fellow, Graduate Statistician, Chartered Statistician, and Honorary Fellow. The RSS also has a number of local groups and special interest groups, which provide opportunities for members to network and share their expertise.
Awards and Honours
The RSS awards several medals and prizes in recognition of outstanding work in statistics. The most prestigious of these is the Guy Medal, named after William Guy, a founding member of the society. The Guy Medal is awarded in gold, silver, and bronze, with the gold medal being the highest honour.