David Spiegelhalter in conversation with Roger Kneebone
Mar 18, 2024
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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
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.
Collaborative Approach in Problem-Solving
David Spiegel-Haltter underscores the significance of collaboration in working with doctors to solve problems. He shares the mutual benefits of these collaborations, where doctors' data and challenges serve as examples for developing new statistical methodologies, leading to co-authored papers and research advances.
Transition to Public Understanding of Risk
David Spiegel-Haltter reflects on his transition to a role focused on public understanding of risk, highlighting a shift towards performance and communication in his career. He shares insights on engaging with different audiences, the preparation needed for radio and television appearances, and the skill of deflecting questions outside his expertise with humor and redirection.
Challenges in Media Engagements
Facing challenges with media engagements, the speaker discusses instances where their contributions were cut from recordings despite prior warnings, leading to frustration. Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in media interactions, the speaker highlights the need for both parties to honor their agreements. Despite occasional negative experiences, the speaker values positive relationships built in the media.
Transitioning Career Focus
Discussing a career transition in 2007, the speaker maintained parallel work in mainstream statistics while shifting focus towards public communication. This shift led to collaborations emphasizing storytelling and media engagement, connecting with a community interested in statistics communication. Reflecting on a satisfying career progression, the speaker notes a shift towards working with communication-focused individuals as they explore avenues beyond traditional statistical roles.
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.
