John Aston is a distinguished figure in the field of statistics, currently serving as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Cambridge. His extensive career showcases a deep commitment to advancing statistical methodologies and applying them to crucial areas of public life and policy. This profile explores his significant roles and contributions, highlighting his expertise and impact in the academic and governmental spheres.
As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Cambridge, John Aston plays a pivotal role in shaping the university’s research strategy and fostering a vibrant research environment. This senior leadership position underscores his standing within one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Further information about the Pro-Vice-Chancellor roles at Cambridge can be found here.
In addition to his Pro-Vice-Chancellor role, John Aston holds the prestigious Harding Professorship of Statistics in Public Life at the University of Cambridge. This professorship, generously supported by The David and Claudia Harding Foundation and previously known as the Winton Professorship, is dedicated to enhancing the public understanding and application of risk and evidence. The core mission of this role is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge statistical research and its practical application in public policy. This involves:
- Developing innovative statistical techniques that are directly relevant to the challenges faced in public policy making.
- Collaborating closely with policymakers and public figures to ensure the most robust quantitative methods are employed in decision-making processes.
- Improving the broader societal discourse around public policy by promoting the effective use of statistics and quantitative evidence in public debates.
This research endeavor is carried out in close collaboration with numerous partners, notably including the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication. John Aston’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is further evidenced by his previous co-Directorship of the Cambridge Mathematics of Information in Healthcare Hub and his membership on the management board of the Cantab Capital Institute for the Mathematics of Information. His leadership extends to the broader statistical community as the current President of the Royal Statistical Society, a prominent organization dedicated to the advancement of statistics. Prior to this, John Aston also served as a non-Executive Director of the UK Statistics Authority, further demonstrating his commitment to public service and the integrity of official statistics. For those interested in exploring broader articles and podcasts related to his work, resources are available here.
John Aston’s influence extends beyond academia and statistical societies into the realm of government. From 2017 to 2020, he served on secondment as the Chief Scientific Adviser and Director-General for Science, Technology, Analysis, Research and Strategy (STARS) at the Home Office. In this significant national role, he provided crucial scientific advice to the Home Secretary, Ministers, and senior officials across a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines, including physical, technological, biological, and social sciences. His responsibilities encompassed both direct counsel and the strategic oversight and commissioning of vital research. Furthermore, John Aston led the large and diverse STARS directorate, comprising approximately 1000 professionals including analysts, scientists, strategists, and private office staff. His tenure at the Home Office coincided with a period of significant events in UK history, allowing him to contribute to critical junctures in national policy.
John Aston’s research interests are wide-ranging within applied statistics, with a particular focus on Official and Public Policy Statistics, Statistical Neuroimaging, and Statistical Linguistics. He is actively involved in cutting-edge initiatives, including Cambridge’s contributions to AI and COVID-19 research through AIX-COVNET. His methodological expertise spans Functional and Manifold Data Analysis, Time Series Analysis, Image Analysis, Changepoint Analysis, Spatial-Temporal Statistics, and the application of sequential Monte Carlo techniques. He is also deeply interested in exploring the interconnections between statistics and other branches of pure and applied mathematics. Detailed information on his extensive publications is available through his Google Scholar profile.
Throughout his career, John Aston has mentored and collaborated with numerous postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, fostering the next generation of statistical leaders. Further details about his past and present PhD Students and PDRAs can be found online. His previous EPSRC Fellowship Project, Functional Object Data Analysis and its Applications, highlights his ongoing contributions to methodological advancements in statistics. His commitment to the wider research and innovation landscape is further demonstrated by his service as a trustee and board member of the Alan Turing Institute from 2015 to 2017. Earlier in his career, John Aston held academic positions at the University of Warwick and Academia Sinica, and was a NISS Junior Fellow at the United States Census Bureau. He also served as secretary of the Royal Statistical Society Research Section during 2013-2014.
John Aston’s research has been generously supported by numerous prestigious organizations, including The David and Claudia Harding Foundation, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, Marie Curie, FIRB, and LMS.
Contact Details
John Aston
Statistical Laboratory
University of Cambridge
Wilberforce Road
Cambridge CB3 0WB
Email: [email protected]
Last updated June 2021.
