Special Event GW AWM-What mathematicians do in the world of survey research
Fri, 19 April, 2024
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The GW Association for Women in Mathematics special event
Talk followed by a panel discussion by alumnae and friends on the experiences of women and minorities working in math (see the attached flyer)
Date and time: April 19, at 6:00-8:00pm
Place: Rome 459
Title: What mathematicians do in the world of survey research
Speaker: Dr. Leah Marshall, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
Abstract: If you are like most undergraduate mathematicians it is likely that you know which classes you love, but you have no idea what using math looks like as a job in the real world. The good news is it involves exactly the same things as your classes -- figuring out how to formulate and solve a problem. In this talk we go over three examples of real projects from jobs in the mathematical field. Specifically, we will discuss the following from the world of survey research: (1) record linkage to match records across different data sources, (2) quality assurance methods used to ensure collected data meets minimum benchmarks, and (3) response rates calculated to measure a survey’s response in a way that is both meaningful and consistent with industry standards.
Short Bio: Leah Marshall is currently a statistician -- data scientist at NASS, where she works on summary, estimation, and disclosure methodology for the Census of Agriculture. She has a B.A. from Northwestern U. where she double majored in mathematics and statistics. Marshall earned her M.A. and PhD in mathematics studying logic and computability theory under the direction of Valentina Harizanov at GWU. While at GW, she received the Taylor Prize, and she taught mathematics as an adjunct post-graduation. Marshall was also an assistant professor of mathematics for several years at NVCC, and she was a mathematical statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau for over a decade, receiving a Bronze Medal Award from the Department of Commerce for her contributions to unduplication research for the decennial census.
