
The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI
The podcast from statisticians for statisticians to have a bigger impact at work. This podcast is set up in association with PSI - Promoting Statistical Insight. This podcast helps you to grow your leadership skills, learn about ongoing discussions in the scientific community, build you knowledge about the health sector and be more efficient at work. This podcast helps statisticians at all levels with and without management experience. It is targeted towards the health, but lots of topics will be important for the wider data scientists community.
Latest episodes

Jan 13, 2025 • 11min
Behind the Pages: How I Wrote 'How to Be an Effective Statistician'
Discussion with Alexander Schacht
Key points
New Year Episode
Book Announcement
Personal Journey
Target Audience
Content Overview
Fictional Narrative
Chapter Structure
Book Format
Launch Party
Ordering Info
Don’t miss this inspiring episode of The Effective Statistician! Whether you’re curious about the process of writing a book, looking for actionable career insights, or simply eager to learn more about How to Be an Effective Statistician, this conversation has something for you.
Tune in now to hear the full story behind the book, and be sure to share this episode with your friends and colleagues. Let’s work together to empower statisticians and other quantitative professionals to make a greater impact in their fields!

Jan 9, 2025 • 17min
Imposter Syndrome
Explore the emotional toll of imposter syndrome, especially among statisticians and professionals. Learn strategies to manage self-doubt and enhance leadership effectiveness. Discover techniques for reframing negative experiences into growth opportunities. Reflect on personal achievements with a growth mindset and the significance of acknowledging your journey. Understand how to build confidence and embrace feedback as tools for overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

Jan 6, 2025 • 20min
Learn, Do, Reflect, and Start Again! How to Become a Better Leader
Unlocking effective leadership requires intentional learning and reflection. Dive into practical strategies that emphasize action-oriented growth and impactful initiatives. Discover the importance of bite-sized learning to enhance leadership skills and make real-world applications. The conversation highlights how small, consistent efforts can create significant change and urges listeners to embrace continuous improvement. Connect your knowledge to action for a transformative leadership journey that benefits both you and your organization.

Dec 19, 2024 • 16min
2025 Lifestyle Planning
Planning for 2025 can be empowering and focused. Discover how to create a lifestyle-centric approach to career goals and utilize vision boards for clarity. The discussion highlights the importance of quality over quantity in both work and life. Listeners are encouraged to balance their aspirations to avoid burnout and engage in periodic reviews of their progress. Gain insights on strategic skill development and effective goal-setting techniques to make the upcoming year your most impactful yet.

Dec 16, 2024 • 22min
Early Development and The Dose Selection in the Immune-oncology
Teppo Huttunen, a Finnish statistician and founder of Eskimage, delves into the complexities of dose selection in immune-oncology. He discusses the challenges of traditional 3+3 design and advocates for the more flexible BOIN design. Teppo emphasizes the balance between safety and efficacy, exploring the crucial role statisticians play in oncology research. He also highlights the importance of industry trends, FDA guidance, and practical challenges in optimizing dose design, making this conversation essential for anyone interested in advancing oncology treatment.

Dec 12, 2024 • 18min
Sharpen The Saw
Explore the art of continuous self-improvement and the idea of 'sharpening the saw'. Discover how regular personal maintenance is essential for overall effectiveness. Learn the significance of movement, hydration, and sleep in boosting productivity. Find out how to enhance your focus and problem-solving skills by minimizing distractions. Lastly, delve into the balance of personal and professional growth, with tips on time management and the vital role of social connections for holistic well-being.

Dec 9, 2024 • 34min
Why is it important to measure exposure to digital health interventions and how to tackle the challenge
Interview with Jack Elkes
Key points:
Digital health interventions: Definition, scope, examples.
Engagement: Definition, importance, complexity.
Measurement challenges: Multidimensional data, variability, arbitrary definitions.
Mental health focus: Apps, virtual reality, stigma reduction, barriers to care.
Cluster analysis: Grouping users, multidimensional engagement measures, case studies.
Comparison to marketing: Engagement metrics, optimization, dynamic updates.
Risks and opportunities: Growing field, need for early research, potential harm.
Role of statisticians: Methodology, decentralized trials, PROs, future research.
Call to action: Explore the field, learn, engage with associations.
Digital health interventions are transforming healthcare, offering exciting opportunities and posing new challenges for statisticians and researchers alike. From defining engagement to tackling complex data with innovative methods, this field has much to explore.
I hope this episode inspires you to dive deeper into this growing area and consider how you can contribute to its evolution. If you found this discussion valuable, I encourage you to listen to the full episode and share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from these insights.

Dec 3, 2024 • 27min
Why Do Clinical Trials Impact the Climate Heavily and What We Can Do About It?
Interview with Annie Wright
Key points:
Environmental Impact
Carbon Footprint Drivers
Decentralized Trials
Study Design Simplification
Protocol Amendments
Waste Management
Greener Initiatives
Technology Adoption
Awareness and Collaboration
Call to Action
CO2 Calculators
Public and Private Collaboration
Clinical trials play a vital role in advancing healthcare, but their environmental impact cannot be ignored. By rethinking how we design and operate trials, we can reduce carbon emissions, streamline processes, and contribute to a greener future. Whether it’s embracing decentralized trials, simplifying study designs, or engaging in sustainability initiatives, we all have a part to play.
If this episode inspired you, share it with your friends and colleagues. Let’s spark conversations about making clinical research more sustainable and work together to create positive change. Don’t forget to listen, reflect, and take action—every step counts!

Nov 25, 2024 • 43min
Introduction to Dealing with Non-proportional Hazards
Kaspar Rufibach, an influential statistician specializing in survival analysis, dives into the complexities of non-proportional hazards. He discusses the vital differences between hazard functions and survival functions while emphasizing their clinical relevance. The conversation highlights effective communication strategies for non-statisticians and the importance of innovative data visualization. Kaspar also explores challenges in trial design and suggests alternatives to traditional effect quantification methods, all aimed at enhancing the understanding of treatment dynamics in clinical settings.

Nov 18, 2024 • 47min
How Real Leaders Help Their People Grow Professionally and As a Person
Interview with Aziza Yormizaeva and Klaus Breuer
Key points:
Leadership: Building trust, inspiring growth, and prioritizing collaboration.
Mentorship: Klaus guiding Aziza to discover her passion for statistics.
Professional Growth: Empowering team members to learn and succeed.
Authenticity: Honest communication and standing by data-driven insights.
Collaboration: Creating win-win situations for individuals and the organization.
Trust-Building: Establishing credibility through support and training.
Empowerment: Teaching others to leverage tools and make informed decisions.
Sustainable Value: Creating systems that deliver results even in your absence.
Continuous Learning: Both leaders and team members growing together.
Personal Growth: Developing not just careers, but individuals as a whole.
This episode highlights the transformative power of authentic leadership, trust, and mentorship in driving both personal and professional growth. Aziza and Klaus show us how fostering collaboration and empowering others can create lasting value for individuals and organizations alike. Their story is filled with practical lessons and inspiring insights that can help you on your own journey as a statistician, leader, or team member.