Statistics programs

[pwelliott]

This "(mostly) complete" list of data science efforts remarkably fails to include even a single Statistics PhD program!

[strasser]

There are 23 programs listed that are related to applied statistics - these most closely align with the DDD program's goal to facilitate interdisciplinary data-driven research. One of these programs has a PhD in Biostatistics (Tulane).

Note that we also did not list CS departments unless they specifically aligned with our goal. Neither Stats nor CS are equated with data science.

That said, if we missed a Statistics PhD program that has goals similar to DDD, please submit a pull request or let us know via other means!

[civilstat]

Applied Statistics, as you say, is closely aligned with the DDD program goals you listed: "interdisciplinary data-driven research" and "accelerating the use of data-driven methods for basic research in the natural sciences." Most (admittedly not all) Statistics departments do have a strong commitment to applied statistics and interdisciplinary collaboration. So I agree with @pwelliott -- it's hard for me to understand when such a department isn't suitable for this list, apart from a few that focus solely on mathematical theory.

Would you kindly be able to offer further guidance about what makes a department/program suitable for your list?

In my personal experience...

• as a PhD student: the Department of Statistics & Data Science at Carnegie Mellon University http://www.stat.cmu.edu/ is deeply committed to providing BS, MS, and PhD students with hands-on research experience and advanced computing skills. Even among the faculty who work on theoretical research, they prioritize projects where the theory is in the service of practical applications (collaborating with neuroscientists, geneticists, astronomers, etc.).

• as a MS student: the Department of Mathematics + Statistics at Portland State University https://www.pdx.edu/math/graduate-programs-0 provides MS in Statistics students with thorough training in data collection and design, computational skills, and applied data-analysis methods. The faculty collaborate with biologists, medical researchers, engineers, etc.

Both seem aligned with your foundation's goals, as far as I can tell.