RTI statistician Matt Williams receives Links Lecture Award from American Statistical Association

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Matt Williams, Ph.D., a senior research statistician at RTI International, has been selected to receive the American Statistical Association’s Links Lecture Award, a professional honor recognizing leadership and vision in the field of statistics.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the American Statistical Association,” Williams said. “Official statistics provide critical infrastructure for a democratic society. They empower citizens and federal, state and local governments to understand economic, social and scientific change. I’m inspired by the dedication of my colleagues in the field and excited for future possibilities for the profession.”

Williams will be formally recognized during the American Statistical Association President’s Address and Awards Ceremony at the Joint Statistical Meetings on Tuesday, Aug. 4. As part of the award, he will deliver an invited lecture in early 2027 focused on a forward-looking vision for the future of official statistics. The American Statistical Association is the nation’s leading professional organization for statisticians.

At RTI, Williams contributes to projects across health, education, economic and social policy research, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to strengthen the design and analysis of large-scale data systems. His work supports RTI’s long-standing role in advancing statistical science in service of public-sector decision-making.

Before joining RTI, Williams served as a mathematical statistician at three federal statistical agencies, including leadership roles at the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. He has also advised agencies such as the U.S. Department of State, NASA and the U.S. Forest Service on statistical methodology.

Learn more about the Links Lecture Award