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MIT Sloan Latin America Office to host webinar on election polling

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Prof. Arnold Barnett to discuss how statistics can improve prediction methods

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 19, 2021 – The recent U.S. presidential elections have led to debates about the effectiveness of pollsters and the Electoral College. While these traditional mechanisms are unlikely to go away, MIT Sloan School of Management highlights possible changes using a statistics lens. He will explore this topic and share his recommendations in a Webinar on April 27, 2021 at 6:00pm EDT.

“After the 2020 presidential election in the US, there was widespread belief that two things should disappear: the pollsters and the Electoral College. But might less radical changes to the status quo bring greater happiness? We will explore that question during the Webinar with the aid of some interesting data,” says Barnett. Hosted by the MIT Sloan Latin America Office and moderated by Senior Director Lee Ullmann, the Webinar is free and open to the public. The event will begin with a talk by Barnett, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Ullmann says, “With polling techniques failing terribly – and elections happening throughout Latin America -- it is time to consider some changes. Prof. Barnett’s research using statistical modelling could help bring significant improvement to this issue.”

Barnett has a PhD from MIT and is the George Eastman Professor of Management Science and Professor of Statistics. His research specialty is applied mathematical modeling with a focus on problems of health and safety.

To register for the event, please visit: https://mit.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YF332PvTR_izpimeZbitcQ

The MIT Sloan School of Management

The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at mitsloan.mit.edu.