Professor Paul Christiansen recently delivered his inaugural lecture to a crowd of students, colleagues, and family. The event, held in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre on Thursday 20 February, entertained attendees as Professor Christiansen challenged perceptions about the field of statistics, speaking of his impressive and atypical academic journey in applying the misunderstood field to a broad range of interesting challenges.
Professor Christiansen’s career has spanned psychology, medical research, and statistics; beginning with his early work in human psychopharmacology of addiction. However, he became disillusioned with his early career path and took the decision to shift his focus, adapting his expertise to help shape research in areas as varied as fast-food advertising, FBI terrorism interviews, and the effects of drug consumption.
Professor Christiansen said: "From starting out as an addiction researcher to becoming an applied statistician, I have had an unusual career. But setting it all out in a lecture allowed me to see how I have got to where I am today.
“It also gave me an opportunity to reflect on the collaborations with such wonderful people I have had over the years, making me truly grateful to colleagues here at Liverpool and beyond.
“It’s a unique experience, and it’s unlikely I will ever do a lecture like this again, but I am really happy I got to share my career with colleagues, friends, and family."
Dean of the Institute of Population Health, Professor Sally Sheard, added: “Paul’s inaugural lecture was an excellent demonstration of what has underpinned his success, both here at Liverpool and in his external collaborations. His passionate advocacy for the use of statistical expertise, especially in policymaking, was brought to life through some well-chosen examples from his research on addiction. These also highlighted his collegiality—and possibly his inability to never say no to requests for help!”
Outside of academia, Professor Christiansen has built an impressive following through his highly successful YouTube channel, which provides accessible insights into the world of statistics. With millions of views, his videos serve as a valuable resource for students and the public alike, making statistics more approachable and relevant in everyday life.