Science training for journalists – staff member joins RSS
There’s a new staff member here at the Royal Statistical Society. Martin Griffiths has joined us as the new national coordinator for science journalism training.
In January 2010, the Science and the Media Expert Group published its report “Securing the Future”. One strand of the report was on science training for non-specialist journalists, and it recommended creating a full-time post to coordinate this work.
You can get more information and follow Martin’s work on his blog and through Twitter.
CBI sets out business priorities for numeracy and maths
The getstats team is now looking at another CBI report, setting out business priorities for numeracy and maths. It can be downloaded from here (PDF, 155kb).
Within the report it says:
“Without basic numeracy and maths skills young people will find it difficult to progress in training or the workplace – 1.4 million workers in the UK believe they have missed out on a promotion, or even lost a job, due to a lack of basic maths or English skills.”
- Does the CBI report chime with your experience? Let the getstats team know. Comment here or email getstats@rss.org.uk
CBI report: employers need more ‘STEM’ graduates
The getstats team are digesting a report just published by the Confederation of Business Industry (CBI) on business’s priorities for education and skills.
In his foreword, CBI director-general Richard Lambert writes:
“Our survey found employers calling for action to improve the quantity and quality of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) graduates, with almost half of firms still experiencing difficulties recruiting STEM skilled staff. These skills will be vital if the UK is to harness opportunities in growth areas such as green technologies and creative industries.”
Clearly, the implications for improving statistical skills goes to the heart of the getstats campaign.
- Will you be reading the CBI report? What are your thoughts on how the getstats campaign can contribute to the needs of business?
Help shape the getstats campaign – fill out our survey
RSS members, and anyone with an interest, can help shape the getstats campaign by filling in a short survey.
Government department reveals spending
The release of spending information by Whitehall’s Department of Communities and Local Government has caught the eye of the getstats campaign team.
Details are given on how the £314 million spent by the department and its arms length bodies in the period 6 April 2009 to 5 April 2010 on goods and services costing £500 or more.
The secretary of state in charge of the department, Eric Pickles MP, said: “The simple task of putting spending online will open the doors to an army of armchair auditors who will be able to see at a glance exactly where millions of pounds spent last year went. The public and the press can go through the books and hold Ministers to account for how taxpayers’ money is being spent.”
- What kinds of statistical skill do you think Eric Pickles’ “army of armchair auditors” will need? Add your comment.
Massive government spending database being opened up
The Treasury is opening up its massive spending database to the public, with an initial tranche of data from the Combined Online Information System (COINS) released today (Friday, 4 June 2010).
The release comes hard on the heels of that of information on the pay of top-ranking civil servants earlier this week. Because the COINS data is complex the government have made it available beforehand (under what’s known as pre-release access) to the Open Knowledge Foundation, so they can prepare tools to help the public view and use the data. Check out their blog posting on Opening up government finances.
- Will you be looking at the COINS data? How will you use it? Let the getstats team know by commenting to this message or email us at getstats@rss.org.uk
Awards made for statistical excellence in journalism
The recipients of the RSS awards for statistical excellence in journalism have been announced. This is the fourth year that the Royal Statistical Society has made the awards, which are made to those who question, analyse and investigate the issues that affect society through statistics. The awards are set to be an integral part of the getstats campaign.
The awards have been made to:
- Radio 4’s More or Less programme – winner in the category for work broadcast on TV or radio
- Mark Easton, BBC Home Editor – winner in the category for work published in print or online
- Helen Rumbelow, The Times – runner-up in the category for work published in print or online
- Simon Rogers, The Guardian – special commendation in the category for work published in print or online
Check out the RSS’s eNews site for Full details on the recipients and their winning work.
More government data to be public
The announcement by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, that more government data is to be made public has grabbed the attention of the getstats team.
The availability of more data will hopefully lead to more people wanting to use it to make decisions about their lives, and to do this effectively will mean having good statistical literacy. Which is, of course, where the getstats campaign comes in.
Introduction to getstats
This campaign is keen to generate partnership activities on World Statistics Day (20.10.2010) and, to encourage partners to work with us on longer-term Campaign projects.
Read our introduction to the campaign to find out more: Introduction to the GETSTATS campaign