American University will host the ninth International Workshop in Sequential Methodologies (IWSM) from June 1–4, 2026, bringing leading researchers from around the world to AU’s campus for one of the field’s premier conferences in statistics and data science.  

The biennial conference places AU among institutions such as Stanford University and Columbia University that have previously hosted the event. Organizers say this year’s conference is on track for record attendance in the IWSM series, with researchers traveling from across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.  

Organized by AU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the conference will focus on sequential statistical methodologies, an area of statistics centered on analyzing data in real time as it is collected. Rather than waiting until the pre-determined end of a study or experiment, sequential methods allow researchers to monitor and evaluate incoming data and make decisions in real time. The approach is increasingly important in fields such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, where rapidly changing information can shape critical decisions.  

Michael Baron, professor of mathematics and statistics and conference organizer, describes the field this way: “Instead of having a fixed-size sample already collected in the past, we choose the optimal final sample size along the way, depending on the data that we are receiving. Or in other words, we let the data decide when it has had enough to say!”  

Real-world Applications, Global Relevance  

The conference program will include presentations on clinical trials, machine learning, AI, adaptive design, cybersecurity, and change-point detection (methods designed to identify unusual patterns or behaviors in real time).  

Baron notes that sequential methodologies are already widely used. “In healthcare research, many modern clinical trials are conducted sequentially; it is a standard practice nowadays. Using just as much data as needed, it saves participating patients from unknown risks and delivers effective and safe medical treatments to the market as early as possible,” he explains.  

At the same time, sequential methods allow AI systems to update decisions dynamically, detect distribution shifts, and balance speed with accuracy in rapidly changing environments. “Such approaches play an important role in cybersecurity, where threat detection depends on analyzing sequences of network events and behavioral signals in real time,” Baron says. “Earlier detection of attacks helps organizations respond before significant damage occurs.” 

The conference also reflects the growing importance of real-time data analysis intersecting industries and public policy. The Washington, DC, location connects the event to healthcare organizations, federal agencies, and industry researchers, making this year’s gathering especially relevant at a time when data is increasingly real-time, high-stakes, and decision-driven.  

The conference also reinforces American University’s growing role in statistics and data science research by bringing leading international scholars and practitioners to campus for collaboration and exchange. Baron said the event highlights AU’s commitment to “advancing innovative, interdisciplinary research with real-world applications and global relevance.”  

Student Opportunities and Career Connections  

The conference will create unique opportunities for AU students interested in statistics and data science. Students will present research alongside international experts, attend sessions on topics including artificial intelligence, clinical trials, and cybersecurity, and connect directly with leading researchers, industry professionals, and potential PhD advisors. Additional opportunities include mentoring discussions with visiting scholars and hands-on experience helping organize the conference.  

Baron says that hosting IWSM gives students direct exposure to cutting-edge research while helping them build professional networks and strengthen graduate school and job applications. “This is a rare chance to access a global research community without leaving campus. The conference signals AU’s growing connection to the broader scientific and research community and its commitment to providing hands-on academic and professional experiences beyond the classroom.”  

Global Reach and Institutional Participation  

Major sponsors and supporters include the American Statistical Association, Institute of Mathematical Statistics, Washington Statistical Society, and the Caucus for Women in Statistics and Data Science. A grant from the National Science Foundation is helping support participation by students and early-career researchers.  

Conference speakers and participants will include researchers from institutions such as Princeton University, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, University of Cambridge, Lancaster University, Tsinghua University, and many others, alongside representatives from NIH, FDA, Microsoft, and Johnson & Johnson.  

For More Information  

For more information about the conference, including registration, abstract submission, and the program, visit the Ninth International Workshop in Sequential Methodologies (IWSM) website.