Countercurrent: conversations with Professor Roger Kneebone

David Spiegelhalter in conversation with Roger Kneebone

Mar 18, 2024

Exploring the importance of clear communication in statistics, translating medical issues into math, career reflections, public engagement challenges, feedback for growth, power of silence in audience engagement, listening on a child death helpline, balancing structure and creativity in work

01:07:48

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Episode guests

Roger Kneebone

David Spiegelhalter

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Making statistics accessible involves translating complex concepts into understandable language for broader audiences.

Collaborating with doctors to solve problems leads to developing new statistical methodologies and research advances.

Transitioning to a role focused on public understanding of risk involves engaging different audiences, preparation for media appearances, and deflecting questions with humor.

Deep dives

Statistics and Communication

David Spiegel-Haltter discusses the challenge of making statistics accessible and engaging to a broader audience, emphasizing the importance of translating complex concepts into understandable language. He highlights the role of statistical communication in listening to people's problems akin to counseling, adapting their language into a mathematical framework for analysis.

Introduction

3min

Translating Medical Problems into a Mathematical Language

13min

Reflections on Career Journey and Public Engagement

18min

Navigating Public Engagement Challenges

16min

Importance of Feedback and Critique for Personal Growth

2min

The Power of Silence in Audience Engagement

8min

Reflections on Listening and Training in a Helpline Setting

2min

Navigating Between Structure and Creativity

4min

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter was Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge until his recent retirement. A gifted broadcaster and communicator, David became familiar to many through his media discussions around statistics and risk during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~david/

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