ISI Academy - Global Challenges and Perspectives in Statistical Literacy for The Education Sector

Webinar recording

This webinar on Global Challenges and Perspectives in Statistical Literacy for the Education Sector is organised in collaboration by the ISI Academy and the International Association for Statistical Education of the ISI (IASE). Three excellent speakers, Pedro Campos, Brian Tarran, and Pinar Ucar, will share their views on how statistical thinking—characterised by curiosity, critical judgement, and an appreciation of uncertainty—can be fostered in education to address global challenges in a data‑rich world. Drawing on sustained engagement with statisticians, educators, and official statistics, they will use their experiences to give the audience ideas to help strengthen students’ statistical literacy and interpretation skills.

Thinking Before Clicking: Statistical Literacy in the Age of AI - by Pedro Campos
This presentation argues that strengthening statistical thinking is essential to preserve informed citizenship in the age of AI. As artificial intelligence increasingly automates data analysis and produces seemingly authoritative outputs, citizens risk outsourcing judgment to algorithms, weakening their ability to assess evidence critically. This is particularly critical for official statistics, a cornerstone of democratic societies, supporting public debate, policy, and accountability. A key challenge lies in education, especially teacher preparation. Many educators lack training in statistics and data reasoning, particularly in AI-driven contexts. There is a need for targeted professional development that integrates statistical concepts, critical thinking, and practical data interpretation. Evidence suggests that well-designed statistical literacy programs can improve critical evaluation skills, though scalability and long-term effects remain uncertain. National statistical offices also play a crucial role by providing trusted data, educational resources, and outreach. Ultimately, fostering critical statistical thinking is not only educational but a democratic imperative in an AI-driven world.

How to think like a statistician (or, what I’ve learned by working closely with them) - by Brian Tarran
As an editor, I have been fortunate to work with some of the world’s smartest and most insightful statisticians. I have spent countless enjoyable hours reading, editing or talking about their work. Those interactions have taught me many things – but most importantly, how to think like a statistician: approaching data with curiosity and a critical eye, and recognising that while much of life is uncertain, statistical thinking can help us navigate those uncertainties. In this talk, I will share the lessons that have had a lasting impact on me.

World Learning and Collaboration for Strengthening Statistical Literacy - by Pinar Ucar 
As a statistician and lecturer, I will share insights from my experience at the intersections of government, an international organization, and academia. This presentation explores how National Statistical Offices (NSOs) can improve the visibility and understanding of official statistics among students by strengthening collaboration with academia. This may include keeping teachers and students up to date on key definitions, surveys, methodologies, and disseminated data.
The presentation starts off by presenting the ways in which teachers can utilize real-life examples to engage students from diverse backgrounds and improve their data interpretation skills, whilst also reflecting on challenges such as students’ over-reliance on generative AI and its tangible impact on critical thinking.
My presentation further addresses data access, privacy, and the capacity of NSOs to provide anonymized data for researchers and policy makers. Finally, it highlights the impact of budget constraints on capacity development, including the advantages and limitations of virtual activities and the importance of Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes.