University of Warwick Wins £4.1 Million Centre to Boost UK Statistics Research

The University of Warwick has been awarded £4.1 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for a new research centre designed to boost UK statistics research and ensure that the discipline attracts many more young bright researchers.

The new Centre addresses the serious lack of capacity in statistics in the UK, identified by the recent "EPSRC International Review of Mathematics". Whilst commending the current and historical research strength of UK statistics, the review pointed to the growing shortage of academic statisticians and to the perilous age-profile of many UK statistics research groups. The new Centre for Research in Statistical Methodology (CRiSM), which will be based at the University of Warwick's Department of Statistics, is a strategic and sustainable initiative which will make a major contribution to reversing this decline.

The unit, led by University of Warwick Professors John Copas, Jim Smith and Mark Steel, will create a focal point for innovative statistical research. The Centre will bring 3 new permanent academic posts, 5 post-doctoral positions and a number of PhD studentships. This will reinforce the discipline of statistics and its application across many areas of science and technology.

CRiSM will focus on strategic research and on a vigorous programme of recruiting PhD students. There will also be a sustained international programme of visiting statisticians from academia, industry and research institutions, and a programme of outreach activities linking the work of the Centre to industry, commerce and to the wider research community.

For further details please contact:

Professors John Copas, Jim Smith or Mark Steel, Department of Statistics,
University of Warwick: Tel: 024 76 524553
Email: crism@warwick.ac.uk
Web address http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/crism

Peter Dunn, Press & Media Relations Manager
University of Warwick, Tel: 024 76 523708
Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

PR35 11th May 2005