As the organizational home for Bayesian statisticians within the largest professional statistics association in the world, SBSS plays a pivotal role in mainstreaming Bayesian methodology. The section provides a forum for researchers and practitioners who employ Bayesian approaches in fields ranging from public health and social science to engineering and finance.
History and Formation
The ASA has long served as the umbrella organization for American statisticians, and as Bayesian methods gained prominence in the latter decades of the twentieth century, the need for a dedicated section became evident. SBSS was established to provide a focused community within the ASA for those working on or applying Bayesian statistical methods.
The Section on Bayesian Statistical Science is formally constituted within the ASA, reflecting the growing importance of Bayesian methods in mainstream statistics.
SBSS organizes regular invited and contributed sessions at the Joint Statistical Meetings, introducing Bayesian methods to a wide audience of statisticians.
SBSS launches student paper competitions and travel awards, supporting the next generation of Bayesian researchers.
Activities and Mission
The section's primary activities revolve around the annual Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM), where SBSS organizes invited sessions, topic-contributed sessions, and panel discussions on the latest Bayesian developments. These sessions cover a broad range of topics—from foundational questions in subjective probability to cutting-edge computational methods and applied Bayesian modeling.
Each year, SBSS sponsors a student paper competition that recognizes outstanding research by graduate students working in Bayesian statistics. Winners receive travel support to attend JSM and present their work, providing invaluable exposure to the broader statistical community.
Beyond JSM, SBSS supports webinars, short courses, and continuing-education events that help practitioners adopt Bayesian approaches. The section also collaborates with ISBA and other organizations to co-sponsor workshops and conferences.
Governance and Leadership
SBSS is governed by an elected executive committee composed of a chair, chair-elect, past chair, secretary, and program chair. The section's leadership reflects the diversity of Bayesian statistics, with officers drawn from academia, government agencies such as the Census Bureau and the FDA, and industry.
"The SBSS has been instrumental in ensuring that Bayesian ideas are not siloed but instead woven into the fabric of the broader statistical profession."— ASA Section officer
Impact on the Profession
Through its presence at JSM and its educational outreach, SBSS has been a key force in normalizing Bayesian methods within the American statistical profession. Many statisticians who first encountered Bayesian ideas at SBSS-sponsored sessions went on to incorporate these methods into their research programs and consulting practice, broadening the reach of Bayesian analysis across the sciences.