Diversities of gifts, but the same spirit

Abstract

This address reviews the great diversity of the discipline of statistics, seeking an essential unity among its various aspects. The role of statistical modelling in underpinning the subject is stressed. To safeguard the discipline in the future, it is seen as vital that bonds between different parts of the discipline are strengthened, to avoid fragmentation among its domains of application. Suggestions for improving the dissemination of new methodology are made, and the part that the Royal Statistical Society can play is discussed.