LIDAM seminar series / Statistics Seminar by Swati Chandna

28/05/2025 - 14:30 - ISBA C115 - 
 

Swati Chandna 

(Birkbeck, University of London) 

Will give a presentation on : 

Understanding structure in networks observed with covariates via profile least squares

Abstract: 
Network data across various domains (e.g. social, political, biological) are commonly observed with additional node- and/or edge- specific attributes that may explain the intensity of interactions between nodes within the network. For example, in the study of international relations, attributes such as conflict intensity and volume of trade are observed for each country pair, and it is important to understand the extent to which these covariates explain the formation of military alliances between countries (nodes). We study the model where probabilities of edge formation between any two nodes in the network are given by the sum of a linear edge-covariate term and a residual term to model the remaining heterogeneity from unobserved factors. We approach estimation of the model via profile least squares and show how it leads to a simple algorithm to estimate the linear covariate term and the residual structure that is truly latent in the presence of observed covariates. Our framework lends itself naturally to a bootstrap procedure which is used to draw inference on model parameters, such as to determine significance of the homophily parameter or covariates in explaining the underlying network structure. We illustrate the usefulness of our methodology through simulations and application to four real network datasets.  

Applied Statistics Workshop by Christian Ritter and Catherine Rasse

19/12/2025 - 16:00 - ISBA C115 - 
 

SMCS and friends

Organized and moderated by Christian Ritter and Catherine Rasse

The following seminar will be given in presence in room C-115 and in the cafeteria. Online participation is not possible.
It will start with the coffee break right after the talk by Maria Lanzerath. 

Playful Learning: Design of Experiments

Abstract :  
Books, lectures, and videos are excellent for understanding the theory of experimental design and learning which approaches are optimal under specific conditions. But hands-on experience brings these concepts to life in ways that passive learning cannot.
Join us for an interactive exploration of experimental design through carefully crafted games. We'll provide coffee and cookies while you work through challenges at different stations, each highlighting key principles of DOE.
After you've had time to explore, we'll gather briefly in the seminar room to discuss the concepts embedded in each game and connect them to experimental design theory. Then it's back to the games—armed with new insights.
Come ready to think, play, and discover what makes a good experiment good. Don't hesitate to share your own games and experiences.