In the previous issue, the article about the Probability and Statistics Group of the German Mathematical Society referred to DAGStat, a consortium of statistical societies in Germany. Katja Ickstadt, professor at TU Dortmund University and DAGStat chairperson, and Sarah Friedrich-Welz, professor at University of Augsburg and secretary of DAGStat, tell us more:

The landscape of statistical societies and organizations in Germany is diverse. Most of them are organized in the DAGStat—the Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Statistik, an umbrella organization for statistical associations in Germany. Founded in 2005, this organization brings together a wide range of statistical disciplines, promoting collaboration and the exchange of ideas among statisticians from academia, industry, and public institutions.

DAGStat’s primary mission is to advance the role of statistics in various fields of research and practice. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of statistics, fostering connections between fields like mathematics, economics, medicine, social sciences, engineering and data science. This focus is particularly relevant in today’s data-driven world, where statistical analysis is key to making informed decisions across sectors.

Moreover, DAGStat fosters collaboration between its member organizations, which, among others, include associations such as the German Statistical Society (DStatG), the German Region of the International Biometric Society, and the German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology (GMDS). Through this collective effort, DAGStat strengthens the influence of statistics in research, policy, and societal developments. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany is also part of the DAGStat, enabling a strong link to political developments and societal decisions.

One of DAGStat’s most significant contributions is the DAGStat Conference, which takes place every three years and serves as a platform for statisticians from different fields to share their research, discuss advancements, and explore emerging challenges. These international conferences typically feature keynote lectures, workshops, and sessions covering a wide array of topics, from statistical theory to its practical applications. A special focus is always on communicating statistics to the general public, with a public lecture aimed at a broad audience marking the start of every DAGStat Conference. The last DAGStat Conference took place in Hamburg in March 2022, in a hybrid format. The next conference will take place March 24–28, 2025, at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Please visit https://dagstat2025.de/#home for details on keynote and invited speakers as well as on abstract submissions.

In addition to these conferences, the DAGStat also organizes yearly symposia, covering topics such as environmental statistics, artificial intelligence or immigration. Recently, these symposia have been accompanied by white papers stating the DAGStat’s opinion on the respective topic. These are available on the DAGStat website (https://www.dagstat.de/aktivitaeten/stellungnahmen) and have also been published in peer-reviewed journals.

In summary, DAGStat plays a crucial role in promoting the development and application of statistics in Germany, serving as a hub for statisticians and researchers across disciplines to engage, collaborate, and contribute to the advancement of statistical science.