CANSSI Ontario is one of four CANSSI Regional Centres across Canada. It brings together 12 Ontario universities and their institutional partners “to strengthen and enhance research and training in statistical science by developing programs that promote interdisciplinary research and enable multidisciplinary collaborations.” CANSSI Ontario has been funded and hosted by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science since its inception in 2019. In spring 2024, the University of Toronto renewed its funding for an additional five years. We spoke with Inaugural Director Lisa Strug about CANSSI Ontario’s first five years and what lies ahead. (Lisa is a Professor in the Departments of Statistical Sciences and Computer Science and in the Division of Biostatistics at the University of Toronto.) This is an edited and condensed record of the conversation.
The University of Toronto recently announced a major extension of the funding it provides to CANSSI Ontario. What do you think convinced them to renew their investment?
The University of Toronto’s decision to extend its funding for CANSSI Ontario likely stems from several factors. Firstly, CANSSI Ontario’s role in advancing statistical sciences aligns with the university’s commitment to fostering research and innovation in this research area. Additionally, CANSSI Ontario has further leveraged and therefore increased the value of the initial U of T funding by partnering with other external organizations. These partnerships have allowed CANSSI Ontario to enhance and grow its fellowships, awards, and community-building programs, which benefit statisticians across the province and their home institutions. The renewal of investment by U of T ensures that these efforts continue to thrive and expand.
Can you tell us what that investment will be used for?
Our programmatic strategy is guided by a provincial advisory committee composed of faculty appointed to statistics departments at several Ontario universities. This committee helps us generate new ideas for program activities or improvements to existing ones while ensuring they are aligned with the needs of our regional statistical community.
Currently, we are focused on maximizing the impact of the U of T investment by collaborating with various organizations to extend the reach of our activities. This approach both enhances the value of our funding and fosters strong partnerships across academic and other sectors.
We emphasize organizing and supporting events, which we view as valuable opportunities for network-building and knowledge sharing across Ontario universities. Our goal in the near future is to increase the frequency and reach of these events across different campuses in Ontario to foster a vibrant network that connects individuals and institutions throughout the province.
To support this effort, we recently launched a provincial PhD student group in Ontario. The initiative is designed to promote research excellence, facilitate knowledge exchange, and foster collaboration and networking among the statistics community across Ontario. Through this group, we hope to strengthen academic, professional, and personal connections among statistics students, faculty, and practitioners across Ontario and beyond.
CANSSI Ontario has accomplished a great deal in a very short time. What CANSSI Ontario achievements are you most proud of?
I am particularly proud of progress we’ve made in building a sense of community with faculty and students across the universities affiliated with CANSSI Ontario. A highlight from this past year was the CANSSI Ontario Research Day, which offered a unique platform to engage with new faculty hires from CANSSI Ontario partner universities. It was inspiring to hear the novel and innovative contributions these new faculty members are bringing to the field. This event not only highlighted the diverse emphases and expertise within our network of new faculty but also reinforced the importance of building connections for faculty at all stages of their careers. I take great pride in the success of this initiative, as it represents our ongoing efforts to cultivate a vibrant and thematically diverse academic community for all.
CANSSI Ontario has worked hard to connect with Ontario universities and with the broader statistical sciences community. How does the community participate in and benefit from the connection with CANSSI Ontario?
CANSSI Ontario’s interactions with the community are impactful and far-reaching. For example, CANSSI Ontario provides financial support to statistics units at partner universities by covering the costs of bringing national and international speakers to their campuses. This not only eases the financial burden on the departments but also enhances their academic environment by facilitating access to global expertise. Additionally, CANSSI Ontario offers opportunities for students to engage with the broader statistical sciences community by funding their travel to research days and other community events. This exposure provides students with the chance to network, present their work, and gain insights from leading experts in the field.
We also actively promote the achievements of faculty members across Ontario. Whether it’s celebrating a prestigious award, highlighting a significant publication, or recognizing a major grant, CANSSI Ontario ensures these accomplishments receive the attention they deserve through its social media channels. This recognition not only boosts the visibility of individual faculty members but also enhances the reputation of their respective universities and the Ontario statistical sciences community.
For PhD students entering the job market, CANSSI Ontario extends support by amplifying their profiles and job availability on social media and its website, helping connect emerging statistics professionals with potential employers, and facilitating their transition into academic or other settings.
How would you describe the relationship between CANSSI Ontario and CANSSI?
The relationship between CANSSI Ontario and CANSSI National has been truly complementary and collaborative. It’s been a pleasure to work together because whenever there’s an initiative we want to promote, we can count on the support of CANSSI National, and this support is mutual. We often identify opportunities, and when feasible we work on them together to bring them to fruition.
A great example of this collaboration is Florence Nightingale Day. This initiative was something that CANSSI National was particularly passionate about, and they approached us to pilot it. We were able to contribute by helping to refine the program and ensure its success. This successful pilot inspired CANSSI National Director Don Estep to expand the initiative across the country. We’re proud to have played a role in getting it off the ground and look forward to seeing its growth.
Our working relationship with CANSSI National has truly embodied the original vision for these regional centers—to address province-specific issues on the ground while also bringing in more funding and support for CANSSI as a whole. It has been an excellent experience, and I’m genuinely excited about what the next few years will bring as we continue to work together.
