Statistical Society of Australia Queensland Branch Annual General Meeting and Seminar 2026
Location: 24 Social Sciences Building, S304, UQ St Lucia, University of Queensland (link to map) and Online via Zoom
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Date: Monday, 16th March 2026
Please join us in-person/online for the SSA Queensland Annual General Meeting! We will review the past year's accomplishments, elect the 2026 council, and discuss updates to the branch's upcoming activities.
For those who are unable to attend in person, a Zoom link will be sent with registration.
Following the AGM, an inspiring retrospective talk and Q&A with Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford, one of Australia’s most distinguished biometricians and former SSA National President.
AGM Agenda:
- President's report.
- Treasurer's report.
- Vote in 2026 SSA QLD Branch Council.
- Nomination of Auditor for 2026.
- Talk and Q&A with Kaye Basford.
Seminar title and abstract:
Leading with Statistics: Insights from a Lifetime of Collaboration and Innovation
Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford AM FTSE
From her early career as a consulting statistician (for over a decade) and then academic at The University of Queensland, supporting researchers across diverse disciplines and delivering foundational statistics courses, Kaye will reflect on how statisticians can thrive in any field in which they are passionate. She chose the challenging and rewarding interface among agriculture, quantitative genetics, and plant breeding, where her innovative methods for analysing genotype-by-environment interactions have directly improved crop breeding programs and global food security.
Kaye will share evidence-based insights on how statisticians make exceptionally effective leaders: through rigorous thinking, collaborative skills, and clear communication of complex ideas. Drawing from her leadership as Head of School, President of the UQ Academic Board, President of the Statistical Society of Australia (2005–2007), President of the International Biometric Society (2010–2011), and board roles with the International Rice Research Institute, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Crawford Fund for Food Security and Australian Plant Phenomics Network, she will illustrate what makes good leaders in science and beyond.
Throughout, Kaye will discuss how family support, her lifelong love of basketball, ongoing involvement in community fitness programs, and broader community service have sustained her energy, perspective and commitment to mentoring and service over five decades. This has been balanced by many travel adventures (both overseas and within Australia) with her husband Alan and family. Since retiring at the end of 2020, Kaye remains highly active, serving on multiple committees and continuing to work in her office two days per week, demonstrating that impact and engagement can extend well into later career stages.
This talk is ideal for students, early and mid-career statisticians, data scientists, mathematicians, those in the late stage of their career contemplating continued contributions or transitions, and anyone who works with numbers or aspires to evidence-based leadership. Come prepared for an engaging Q&A!
Call for Nominations for Members of SSA Queensland Branch Council 2026
Nominations are called for the positions in the Queensland Branch Council for 2026 in accordance with Rule 12b of the Branch. Nominations should be received, in writing, by the Secretary, on or before Monday 9th March 2026. Such nominations shall be signed by at least two members, and shall be accompanied by the candidate's written statement of willingness to stand. Nomination forms will also be provided at the AGM. Separate nomination forms are available for councillors and executive positions (President/Secretary/Treasurer).
Please scan and email written nominations to the SSA QLD branch Secretary, Adrian Barnett (a.barnett@qut.edu.au) or the President, Darsy Darssan (d.darssan@uq.edu.au).
@StatSocAus
