

David Spiegelhalter
Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication chair and statistician at the University of Cambridge. Author of "The Art of Statistics."
Top 10 podcasts with David Spiegelhalter
Ranked by the Snipd community

17 snips
Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 15min
Cambridge Professor David Spiegelhalter - How to Navigate Change, Ignorance, Risk and Luck
Cambridge statistician David Spiegelhalter, renowned for his work in risk and probability, discusses how to navigate uncertainty in our lives. He illustrates the role of chance, luck, and randomness with engaging anecdotes, showing how we often misinterpret probabilities. Spiegelhalter emphasizes the importance of statistical reasoning in decision-making, particularly in health and gambling. He also explores how understanding uncertainty can empower us, encouraging a mindset that embraces the unknown while recognizing our limitations in predicting the future.

9 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 13min
Life Is Unpredictable. Here's How to Thrive Anyway.
David Spiegelhalter, an Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge, dives into the art of managing uncertainty. He discusses how the chaotic nature of modern life, driven by fluctuating markets and advancements in AI, requires informed decision-making. Spiegelhalter explains the nuances of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty through engaging metaphors. He stresses the importance of trustworthiness in statistical models, emphasizing humility in communication to build public trust amidst uncertainty.

4 snips
Dec 4, 2024 • 36min
David Spiegelhalter: The Art of Uncertainty
David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at Cambridge and author of "The Art of Uncertainty," brings humor and clarity to the complex world of statistics. He discusses the subjective nature of uncertainty and its influence on decision-making, particularly in events like elections and extreme weather. Emphasizing the importance of effective communication, he encourages listeners to embrace uncertainty as part of life. David also shares insights on career paths and impactful literature that shaped his views on statistics, making it a thought-provoking conversation.

4 snips
May 6, 2019 • 22min
Statistics and risk - what’s my heart age?
Professor David Spiegelhalter from Cambridge University discusses effective risk communication, challenges with p-values, and evaluating medical AI. They explore heart age, patient empowerment in health communication, and the impact of scientific reporting on misinformation. The podcast advocates for rethinking statistical significance and emphasizing evidence quality in medical research.

Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 1min
389. Why Understanding Statistics Is a Fundamental Part of Life with David Spiegelhalter
David Spiegelhalter, a statistics professor, emphasizes the importance of understanding risk magnitude. Topics include micro-mort, 'microlife', and faulty statistical interpretation during crises like COVID-19. The podcast discusses statistical literacy in daily life, valuing statistical life in public policies, understanding health outcomes, analyzing COVID-19 impact, healthcare decision-making, and confidence ratings in data analysis.

Dec 20, 2018 • 23min
Making Algorithms Trustworthy with David Spiegelhalter - TWiML Talk #212
David Spiegelhalter, Chair of the Winton Center at Cambridge and President of the Royal Statistical Society, dives into why trustworthiness is crucial for AI systems. He highlights the difference between being trusted and being trustworthy, stressing rigorous evaluations akin to drug development. Spiegelhalter discusses empowering patients through transparent AI in healthcare, enhancing decision-making with personalized explanations. Throughout, he advocates for integrating diverse expert insights to improve fairness and transparency in algorithmic practices.

Mar 26, 2025 • 24min
‘People will stop making predictions’ David Spiegelhalter says
David Spiegelhalter, an emeritus professor of statistics at the University of Cambridge and author of The Art of Uncertainty, shares insights on the unpredictable nature of predictions. He emphasizes the need for incorporating probabilities to improve forecasting transparency. The discussion delves into the subjective nature of probabilities and their validation, the importance of mathematical literacy amidst growing uncertainties, and how AI is reshaping professions tied to statistical analysis. Spiegelhalter encourages humility and a deeper appreciation for luck in our lives.

Mar 18, 2024 • 1h 8min
David Spiegelhalter in conversation with Roger Kneebone
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

Oct 15, 2021 • 48min
Covid by Numbers with David Spiegelhalter
David Spiegelhalter, Chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at Cambridge University and author of "Covid by Numbers," discusses the complexities of data interpretation during the pandemic. He and virologist Dr. Chris Smith explore the challenges of testing accuracy, including false positives and the nuances of COVID-19 death reporting. They also delve into the UK's policy struggles, excess death rates, and the broader implications of public health decisions, providing insights into future scenarios and the importance of clear communication.

Apr 23, 2020 • 1h 3min
Coronavirus and the Stats: Your Questions Answered
David Spiegelhalter, a prominent statistician from the University of Cambridge, Sheila Bird, a biometrics expert from the University of Edinburgh, and John Ioannidis, a Stanford professor known for critiquing COVID-19 data, share insights on pandemic statistics. They tackle the complexities of death counts and the implications of herd immunity versus lockdowns. The trio discusses varying impacts across Europe, the collateral damage of healthcare disruptions, and the importance of context in interpreting the pandemic data, offering a clearer understanding of this global crisis.