2024 Recipient: David Baird
David Baird exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Thompson Award through his remarkable contributions to applied statistics and his role as a mentor, leader and innovator within the statistical community.
For over 4 decades, David has applied his statistical and computing expertise to address critical challenges in agriculture, horticulture, biosecurity, entomology, ecology, plant breeding, and finance. David’s work has been instrumental in solving real-world problems faced by New Zealand industry, government agencies, and Crown Research Institutes. For example, one of David’s many important contributions was his work with the New Zealand Earthquake Commission (EQC) following the Christchurch Earthquakes to estimate property damage and address insurance-related issues.
In addition to his consultancy, David has made significant contributions to the statistical software programme Genstat. As a principal developer, he created the first Windows version of Genstat, introducing a user-friendly interface that made statistical analysis accessible to both statisticians and non-experts.
David is also an exceptional mentor and coach. He has supported the careers of many statisticians, including myself, and many non-statisticians, offering guidance, advice, and sharing his vast knowledge.
Additionally, David has demonstrated a strong commitment to the statistical community, both in Australasia and internationally. He actively contributes to the New Zealand Statistical Association and the International Biometric Society, organizing conferences, conducting workshops and serving on committees.
David’s effectiveness, leadership and commitment to advancing statistical thinking and good statistical practice in New Zealand make him a highly deserving recipient of the Jean Thompson Award.
The above citation is from Vanessa Cave.
The NZSA Jean Thompson Award recognizes excellence in the application of statistics in New Zealand industry, including business, Crown Research Institutes, government agencies and departments, media, etc. The award celebrates the insightful use of statistical thinking and practice in solving practical problems and creating value.
Next Round
- Next round opens: TBA
- Next round closes: TBA
Nominations should be sent to the Convenor of the NZSA Awards Committee, by email at vanessa.cave@auckland.ac.nz.
Award Details
CriteriaThis award celebrates statistical excellence by practitioners in New Zealand industry. It recognises outstanding levels of impact in the application of existing or new statistical methods to New Zealand industry, and the exemplification of good statistical practice. We look for candidates that have demonstrated statistical leadership in one or more of the following:
Candidates must be financial members of the Association. Previous recipients of the award are ineligible for nomination for a period of five years following their win. NominationsCandidates can self-nominate, be nominated by an individual, or a group of individuals. Nominators may be non-NZSA members. Nominations will be assessed by the NZSA Awards Committee. The nomination must provide evidence of sustained and/or significant positive impact to New Zealand industry through the application of statistical excellence. This could include, but is not limited to:
The nomination should include a citation of max 40 words that summarizes the application. |
Background
The Jean Thompson award was established in 2022 and is named after the inspirational New Zealand Statistician C. Jean Thompson. Jean worked as a consultant on topics including earthquakes, horticulture, microbiology and educational achievement, to name a few.
Jean has made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand Statistics Association. She has held many roles, including President (1991-93), Secretary-Treasurer (1962-63) and Secretary (1987-88). She was also a founding member of the Education Committee, serving on the committee for many years. Jean was made a life member of the Association in 2006.
Jean has led the way for women in statistics in New Zealand. In 1993 she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in recognition of her work encouraging young women to further their studies in mathematics and statistics. In 2017, she was selected as one of the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s “150 women in 150 words“, which celebrated the contributions of women to knowledge in New Zealand. Furthermore, she was instrumental in the publication of a book, Women with maths: making a difference, which tells the story of New Zealand women for whom a knowledge of statistics or mathematics had enabled an interesting career or lifestyle.
Jean spent 30 years working for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. She used New Zealand’s first scientific computer, an Elliot 503, enabling analyses that had not been practical before and a much wider use of experimental design methods. After 1992, when the Applied Mathematics Division of the DSIR was closed down, she established her own consulting company and continued to work applying a statistical approach to problem solving in general.
If you have any queries about making a nomination/application for this award please email the Convenor of the Awards Committee.
Recipients of the NZSA Jean Thompson Award are:
| Year | Recipients of the Jean Thompson Award | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | David Baird |  |
| 2023 | Neil Cox |  |
| 2022 | Ian Westbrooke |  |