Satellite to ISBA world meeting

The “Satellite to ISBA 2024” workshop, scheduled for June 25-28, 2024, at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland, will be a multidisciplinary event focused on Bayesian statistics, statistical learning, neural Bayesian estimation, and their applications in various scientific domains. No registration fee is foreseen.

Objectives and Aims: The workshop aims to disseminate state-of-the-art work in Bayesian methodologies and explore their applications. Key research areas include high-dimensional inference, Bayesian nonparametrics, Bayesian clustering in biomedicine, structured data modeling, and the integration of Bayesian methods in machine learning and

artificial intelligence.

The specific aims are to:

1. Disseminate and advance research in Bayesian methodology.

2. Foster interactions, discussions, and collaborations among researchers.

3. Build an international network and promote diversity in participation.

4. Provide guidelines for statisticians on science reproducibility, transparency, fairness, and robustness.

Format and Methods: The 4-day in-person workshop includes 12 sessions with 25 minutes presentations plus 5 minutes discussion, a tutorial on science reproducibility, a panel discussion with industry representatives, and a networking event with a poster session. The sessions cover various topics such as statistical theory, Bayesian networks, likelihoodfree methods, spatio-temporal modeling, and more. There is an anticipated participation of over 60 researchers, with 19 seeking support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Support prioritizes international, female, and early-career researchers to encourage broader participation. Organizers, 50% of whom are female, have considered gender balance and early-career involvement in planning. Beyond active participants, the workshop aims to attract master and PhD students from local universities. Promotion through statistical societies, mailing lists, and the proximity to the ISBA world meeting is expected to bring around 80 attendees. The event is open to a diverse audience, including statisticians, computer scientists, and professionals from various domains. Endorsements: International Society for Bayesian Analysis, Swiss Statistical Society, Italian Statistical Society, National Institute for Applied Statistics Research Australia.

Planned Outcomes (within 5 Months):

1. Recording and sharing some keynote lectures.

2. Preparation and distribution of slides on reproducibility, responsibility, and fairness.

3. New developed collaborations.

4. Science dissemination of two SNSF AGORA projects (PI A. Mira).

Why Lugano and USI:

1. Lugano’s central location and proximity to the ISBA world meeting in Venice facilitate collaboration and networking opportunities.

2. USI, IDSIA, and SUPSI provide a conducive environment for research in Bayesian statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

3. The workshop showcases the AGORA SNSF projects led by A. Mira, chair of the scientific committee, leveraging the existing expertise and giving them visibility.

In summary, the workshop aims to advance Bayesian methodologies, foster collaboration, and promote international visibility for Swiss research in Bayesian statistics.