Symposium on Data Science and Official Statistics

INSTRUCTORS

The Symposium is organized by members of the United Nations Global Working Group (GWG) on Big Data for Official Statistics, see https://unstats.un.org/bigdata/

The Symposium consists of multiple sessions delivered by various members of the GWG, including

Ronald Jansen
Assistant Director and Chief of Data Innovation and Capacity Development
United Nations Statistics Division
New York, USA

Mark Craddock
Technical Director
United Nations Global Platform
Office of National Statistics, UK

Gavin Phillips
Programme Manager
United Nations Global Platform
Office of National Statistics, UK

Niels Ploug
Deputy Chief Statistician
Statistics Denmark

Gemma Van Halderen
Director
Statistics Division
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Bangkok, Thailand

Dominik Rozkrut
Chief Statistician
Statistics Poland

Jamaliah Jaafar
Director
International Trade Statistics Division
Department of Statistics Malaysia

SYMPOSIUM DESCRIPTION

Big Data is by definition different from traditional data sources currently used by national statistical systems (NSSs) requiring the development of new methodologies together with upgrading of quality assurance framework, technology, security, privacy and legal matters. This means that new skill sets and competencies are necessary. Some of which could be hired temporarily, others will need to become an integral part of the institution. Data science is one of those new competencies. It is likely that the staffing table of statistical institutions will show quite a few data scientists and data engineers in the near future.

This symposium offers insights into activities on the nexus of Data Science and Official Statistics and corresponding training opportunities. It will consist of lectures, project presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

PROGRAM

• Data Innovation in Official Statistics
  Presenter: Ronald Jansen, UNSD

• What is the UN Global Platform and how does it work?
  Presenter: Mark Craddock, ONS, UK

• New paradigm for compiling official statistics
  Presenters: FSO Switzerland

• Building Capacity at Data Science Campus
  Presenter: ONS, UK
  See https://datasciencecampus.ons.gov.uk/capability/

• Data Science & Big Data: Experience from Malaysia
  Presenter: Jamaliah Jaafar, DOS, Malaysia

• EO projects on Environment and Agriculture statistics
  Presenters: UN Environment, Statistics Canada, FAO

• Human Mobility and other Data Science projects
  Presenters: Positium, Telenor, Flowminder, UN Global Pulse Lab, Jakarta

• Capacity development strategy and opportunities
  Presenters: Statistics Poland, Statistics Denmark, UNESCAP

TARGET AUDIENCE

This Symposium is relevant to anyone with an interest in Data Science and Official Statistics; Modernization and Capacity Development in National Statistical Systems; and multi-stakeholder engagement in Data Science for Policy Purposes