The ISI serves as a worldwide umbrella for statistical science, bringing together statisticians from all traditions and all countries. While not specifically a Bayesian organization, the ISI has played an important role in the international dissemination of Bayesian methods through its conferences, publications, and affiliated associations.
History and Structure
The ISI was established in 1885 in London by leading statisticians and demographers who recognized the need for international cooperation in statistical science. Over its long history, the ISI has grown to encompass a family of associations, including the Bernoulli Society for Mathematical Statistics and Probability, the International Association for Statistical Computing, and the International Association for Official Statistics.
The International Statistical Institute is founded, becoming one of the first international scientific organizations.
The ISI is reconstituted after World War II with a broader mandate and membership base.
The Bernoulli Society, focused on mathematical statistics and probability, is established as an ISI section, providing a home for theoretical Bayesian research.
The ISI's biennial World Statistics Congress (WSC) is one of the largest and most diverse statistical meetings in the world. Sessions on Bayesian methods are a regular feature of the WSC program, covering topics from foundational theory to applications in official statistics, health, and the environment. The congress provides a rare opportunity for statisticians from developing countries to engage with the latest Bayesian developments.
Bayesian Connections
The ISI's contribution to Bayesian statistics is multifaceted. Through the Bernoulli Society, the ISI supports theoretical research in probability and mathematical statistics, including foundational work on Bayesian inference, prior distributions, and posterior asymptotics. The ISI's journals, including the International Statistical Review, have published influential review articles and discussions on Bayesian topics. The ISI has also recognized Bayesian researchers with its awards, and its conferences have provided platforms for major Bayesian presentations.
Global Outreach
One of the ISI's distinctive strengths is its global reach, with members in over 130 countries. The organization is particularly committed to supporting statistical capacity in developing countries, where Bayesian methods—with their ability to incorporate prior information and handle small samples—can be especially valuable. The ISI's outreach programs, workshops, and training initiatives help ensure that advances in Bayesian methodology reach statisticians worldwide.
"The ISI represents the unity of statistical science across borders and methodological traditions. Its meetings are one of the few places where the full diversity of the statistical world comes together."— ISI member
Relationship to Other Organizations
The ISI maintains collaborative relationships with many national and international statistical organizations, including the ASA, RSS, IMS, and ISBA. This network of relationships ensures that the ISI's activities complement and reinforce the work of more specialized organizations, providing a global context for advances in Bayesian and other branches of statistics.