Health Data Science PhD student Hollie Hughes worked with colleagues to organise the recent Young Statisticians’ Meeting. The annual event provides students and early career researchers an opportunity to build professional networks and exhibit their work.
From July 2nd to 4th, I had the pleasure of hosting the Young Statisticians Meeting (YSM) 2025, held at the Central Teaching Hub in the University of Liverpool. Co-chaired by myself and fellow PhD student Alexandra Hunt from the Department of Health Data Science, this year’s event brought together around 80 early career statisticians and PhD students each day from across the UK and many from overseas.
The conference kicked off with two excellent pre-conference workshops. I attended Dr Maria Sudell’s session on Joint Modelling, which managed to make a complex topic accessible and engaging. Those who joined Dr Laura Bonnett’s workshop on presentation skills raved about how practical and motivating it was — from crafting a narrative to creating visual impact.
The main programme was packed with insightful and inspiring talks across a wide range of disciplines. One of my personal highlights was Prof Amy Wilson’s keynote, "Statistics and the law: what’s the verdict?", which opened our eyes to how statistical evidence plays a role in real-world legal decisions — a fascinating look into how mathematics can be applied in the justice system. Equally impressive was Prof Ruth Keogh from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who spoke on the delicate balance of prediction and causal inference.
We were also treated to some fascinating applied work. Prof Simon Maskell’s gripping session on the search for MH370 and Dr David Hughes' talk, "Impact, by Chance or by Choice", highlighted again how statistics can have a far-reaching range of applications. And who knew statistics and sports could be such a compelling mix? Dr Benjamin Holmes provided a great introduction to sports analytics, full of energy and enthusiasm.
Beyond the talks, the poster sessions gave us a glimpse into the creative and innovative work being carried out by colleagues— a mix of fresh ideas and rigorous methods. The panel session also allowed us to pose career and research questions to experienced statisticians, sparking helpful discussion.
The social events were another highlight — from informal pub meet-ups to organised dinners, it was a chance to connect beyond the slides, build networks, and maybe even sow the seeds for future collaborations. The friendly, inclusive atmosphere made everyone feel welcome.
Looking ahead, I’m already excited for YSM 2026, which will be held in Cambridge. If you're keen to help shape next year's event, the committee is currently looking for new members — a great opportunity to get involved!
