Associate Professor Inger Fabris-Rotelli of the Department of Statistics at the University of Pretoria (UP), was recently selected to represent statisticians at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). She talks about why she chose a career in statistics and what this appointment means to her.

Tell us more about your academic background.

I hold a BSc in Applied Mathematics, a BSc (Hons) in Applied Mathematics, a BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Statistics, an MSc in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Mathematical Sciences (2013), all from UP. My postgraduate research focused on image processing, after which I merged it with my statistical backing and focused on spatial statistics and remote sensing.

Tell us more about yourself.

I am a nerd at heart. I am inquisitive and always looking to learn new things and grow my knowledge. For me, academia is not work but part of who I am and what I enjoy doing. I enjoy spending time helping others to get excited about discovering new things. 

Why did you choose a path in statistics?

Having started with applied mathematics, specifically in image processing, the use of statistics throughout mathematical sciences became very clear. I enjoyed statistics and mathematics at undergraduate level, as well as computer science, and followed this into my postgraduate studies. In my honours years, the previous head of the Department of Statistics, Prof Nico Crowther, asked me to join the department as a junior lecturer to help with third-year practicals, and that is where I have been ever since.

How did the appointment to the SACNASP come about?

The voluntary associations (VAs) of the SACNASP are invited to nominate individuals for the board. The minister then agrees on the final appointments. I am currently a Director of the Institute of Certificated and Chartered Statisticians of South Africa (ICCSSA) board – the VA representing professional statisticians in South Africa – and was nominated by ICCSSA to the SACNASP board. I am now the ICCSSA CEO as well the Vice-President of another VA, the South African Statistical Association (SASA).

How did you feel when you got the news?

I am honoured to have been asked to fill this position and represent statisticians. Since my postgraduate studies are in applied mathematics, I also represent mathematical sciences on the board in some sense.

What does this appointment mean to you?

ICCSSA is a relatively new VA and not widely recognised yet, compared to other quantitative bodies such as the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Professional registrations result in qualified professionals who are continually growing. Statistics and mathematical sciences develop data scientists, and data science is a fast-growing job at the moment. Regulation, as well as standardisation, to some extent, will be useful for employers and prospective employees in the future. This is a big pool of graduates to assist though, so communication and discussions are vital going forward.

Did you experience any hardship and how did that shape you?

There is no doubt that academia is hard work, nor is obtaining one’s first undergraduate degree or completing postgraduate studies. Life will never be straightforward, and we will never be the best version of ourselves. However, to work hard despite this, in all facets of one’s situation, is fulfilling and worth it. The results will also pay off.

What is your proudest achievement? 

I can’t say anything specifically. Every student that graduates, every paper published and every conference talk is exciting and worth the hard work. I often think there aren’t enough years in one’s academic journey – that is why it is important to make full use of them!