Statistical Challenges in the Agri-Environmental Sector - A joint BIR-NABES event
Statistical Challenges in the Agri-Environmental Sector
The British and Irish Region of the International Biometric Society (BIR), together with the UK Network of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics (NABES) are delighted to announce the upcoming workshop Statistical Challenges in the Agri-Environmental Sector hosted at the University of Warwick.
Overview
This event aims to bring together academics working in the development of statistical theory and methodology and professional statisticians working in the agri-environmental sectors. It will feature two keynote speakers, contributed poster sessions and facilitated networking opportunities. Our aim is to explore the broad challenges that will shape the research landscape, to foster discussion between different parts of the statistical community, and to spark new collaborations.
The conference takes place on 19 September 2025 at the University of Warwick.
You can register for the conference at the registration page up to Friday 5th September 2025.
We also welcome submissions to the contributed discussion sessions.
The following are confirmed as keynote speakers for this conference:
Professor Caroline Brophy
Caroline's research interests center around developing non-standard statistical models for application in ecology, agriculture and environmental science. A major strand of her current research work is using novel statistical methods to model agricultural ecosystems with the goal of improving their sustainability.
Dr Nick Schurch
Nick's research explores a range of ecology and environmental science research areas with a focus on bringing quantitative and computational science together in an environmental context. His current research interests are in extending joint species distribution models to eDNA and citizen science data and AI in ecology.
Discussion Topics
Big Data and Small Sample Statistics
Statistical Privacy
Statistical Indicators
AI and Sustainability
Schedule
An outline schedule is below.
All events will take place in the Zeeman building. Details of how to find this are included on the Practicalities page.
| Friday 19 September | Location | Subject to minor edits |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30-10:00 | Zeeman "Street" | Registration (and coffee) |
| 10:00-11:00 | MS.04 | Keynote: Caroline Brophy Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics: Capturing the complex but translating with ease |
| 11:00-11:30 | MS.04 | Discussion Topics (1) Big Data and Small Sample Statistics - Andrew Mead |
| 11.30-12.00 | MS.04 | Discussion Topics (2) Statistical Privacy - Louis Aslett |
| 12:00-13:00 | Zeeman "Street" |
Lunch and Posters |
| 13:00-13:30 | MS.04 |
Discussion Topics (3) Statistical Indicators - JNCC, Defra |
| 13:30-14:30 | MS.04 | Keynote: Nick Schurch What is where, how much of it is there, and how has it changed: Mapping, Modelling, Monitoring |
| 14.30-15.00 | MS.04 | Discussion Topics (4) AI and Sustainability |
| 15:00-15:30 | Zeeman "Street" |
Wrap-up (with coffee and cake) |
Organisers
Any queries should be directed to