Analytically Speaking Featuring Pedro Saraiva

When: Wednesday, July 12, 2017
1-2 pm ET, 10-11 am PT

After many years in academia using statistics to conduct research activities, Pedro Saraiva ran for election as a Member of the National Parliament of Portugal. He shares examples from this challenging experience, as well as evidence of how statistical thinking and fact-based approaches can provide a better understanding about how Parliaments work and a basis for better policy. Saraiva claims that Parliaments and societies are likely to improve if more people with a good statistical background accept the challenge of becoming a MP, at least for a while.

On the table for discussion:

• The three societal paradoxes underpinning the lack of data-driven decision making in politics.
• The Parliament numbers game.
• Why there is no statistical evidence to blame the opposition party for the economy.
• How visualizations can help improve the quality of laws.
• Why facts are an asset in an aggressive political environment.

Expertise: statistics, elections, chemical engineering, data analysis, decision making, politics

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