RSSeNEWS to be determined...

One of the great success stories from the Society in recent times is our outreach magazine Significance. It is well liked and read by members of our community and wider audiences. Articles are often syndicated by other media, sometimes by dozens of different outlets. The standing of the magazine has now been recognised by the American Statistical Association (ASA) and we have reached an agreement that will see Significance roll-out to their 17,000 members.

The autumn of 2010 will see the first copies of Significance being distributed to both RSS and ASA members. This is a step change in audience size and a great compliment for the magazine and those that have been involved in its success. This innovative venture means Significance will be the preeminent statistical outreach magazine supported by both our Societies. Whilst still being owned by the RSS, the magazine will see a remodelled editorial board with high profile members on both sides of the Atlantic contributing ideas and articles. Editor Julian Champkin is enthused by the opportunity, ‘The link is more than a compliment; it is an opportunity as well. It means that the magazine can grow, in readership, in frequency and in influence. It can become a real world-wide voice of statisticians shouting for the cause of statistics’.

Significance articles have always had a global flavour but these changes mean that together with the ASA we will be able to take on the key international themes where statistics play a vital role. Over the next several years there are plans to increase the frequency of the magazine to raise its profile even further whilst keeping its distinctive design and outstanding content.

‘Partnerships among sister organisations are healthy for our profession, and I am elated at this great partnership between ASA and RSS, the two largest statistical societies,’ says ASA president, Sastry Pantula. ‘This collaboration on Significance will enhance the visibility of our profession. I would be equally proud to show this magazine to my colleagues on our campus or to my neighbours. With great editorial leadership from Julian Champkin and an outstanding editorial board consisting of ASA and RSS members in equal measure, I am confident Significance will grow in influence and impact.’

The joint project will also see a new stand-alone website for Significance, which will be available later in the autumn. The site will allow us to link the printed page to further details about articles, as well as holding additional online-only content and materials. RSS members will have access to all Significance content via the site and will be able to develop discussion threads about articles of interest. We hope that in time the site will become a portal for anyone interested in statistics.

In summary RSS president David Hand said ‘This is a really exciting initiative, a tribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of Significance, and a genuine opportunity to collaborate on an international scale in promoting our discipline. I am aware that getting to this launch stage has involved a great deal of hard work and lengthy negotiations by teams of people from both sides of the Atlantic, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank, and congratulate, them: Significance is a wonderful magazine, and this development will enable it to be appreciated far more widely.’

If you would like to get involved and perhaps write an article for the magazine, please email the editor Julian Champkin.