​Winning with Words and Graphs: The Effective Statistician presentation and data visualization masterclass

Winning with Words and Graphs: The Effective Statistician presentation and data visualization masterclass

As statisticians we regularly need to communicate data-related information including analysis results, study designs, and new methods. These presentations often resemble the flow of a technical report using a "table of contents" approach that may be informative but fails to truly engage the audience and may not inspire them to act on our ideas. Shouldn't that be the goal of your presentations - to provoke a reaction? Even if you are sharing a summary of analysis results, you should ask yourself "what do I want the audience to be thinking when they leave the room" and strive to deliver a presentation that powerfully and convincingly conveys that message. That’s exactly what this course will help you do with your presentations!

In this online, on-demand program, you will:

  • Learn the fundamentals of preparing and delivering an engaging, impactful presentation including the five questions you need to answer for ANY presentation (and the one you should avoid)
  • Understand the three keys to creating powerful, clear visuals and be aware of the most common mistakes
  • Hear real industry examples and experiences that demonstrate and reinforce key presentation and visualization concepts
  • Improve one of your own presentations (past or current) that will serve as an application of these tools and concepts

Who should take this course?

Any statistician or data scientist - technical or administrative - who wants to influence collaborators or decision-makers via a presentation. Presentation skills are part of the bigger toolbox of leadership skills. We define leadership as the ability to consistently deliver value to your organization by persuading others to act on your ideas. What is a critical means by which we try to persuade and influence people? Yes, through presentations. And what is a big part of most presentations made by statisticians and data scientists? The generation, analysis and/or interpretation of data.

What does the course include?

  • Over 4 hours of video content … The course begins with presentation fundamentals and then moves on to visualization concepts and practices with examples interspersed
  • Multiple personal assignments/exercises … These are designed to deepen the learning and/or apply/practice the concepts as the participant goes through the training
  • Access to resources … The video lectures and the slides are available for re-viewing as many times as the participant wants
  • Bonus: For those who register by April 30, two one-hour open Q&A sessions … These provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions to the instructors and gain additional insights

When can I sign up?

  • Now! The materials will be available as soon as you purchase the course

Who are the instructors?

Alexander Schacht and Gary Sullivan are statisticians and leadership trainers with a combined 50+ years of industry experience.

Alexander Schacht … Alexander is a recognized expert in data visualization skills. He has organized various conference sessions and given numerous presentations on the topic. Alexander has also developed and taught dozens of data visualization training sessions, and founded the European special interest group on data visualization.

Gary Sullivan … Gary is a recognized leadership specialist and trainer within the statistics profession. He has provided leadership training & consulting on topics including communication, business acumen, influence and strategy to over 700 statisticians in the US and Europe primarily in the pharmaceutical industry. Gary has also provided numerous talks, and organized and participated in several panel discussions on leadership in statistics.

Together, Alexander and Gary developed and facilitate The Effective Statistician Leadership Program, a comprehensive, on-line course for leadership development that includes over twenty hours of video training & discussion on six dimensions of leadership. Over 300 people have taken this training.

I need supervisor approval. Can you help?

Here are a couple of reasons your supervisor should support you.

  1. This course is specifically designed for statisticians and data scientists by statisticians who understand their need to present results in an impactful way. The instructors know first-hand what the challenges are and will give practical and relatable advice.
  2. The better you present to decision-makers and collaborators, the better your team reputation becomes.
  3. As you apply and demonstrate these concepts, you will raise the bar for other colleagues. As they learn from you (or as a result of your success), you essentially multiply the success of your course participation.
  4. There are no further travel or accommodation costs included.

If you want to get an invoice with your company details, please write an email to [email protected]. Then your company can pay against this invoice.


Alexander Schacht

Alexander is a Statistician and the Executive VP of Launch and Commercialisation Data Sciences at Veramed. Alexander studied mathematics and received his PhD in biostatistics on non-parametric statistics from the University of Göttingen in Germany. He has authored more than 70 scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and regularly speaks at international conferences, such as PSI and EADV.

He has more than 20 years of experience working as a statistician in healthcare, working primarily on phase IIIb and IV (RCT, observational studies, HTA submission, commercialisation work) with some regulatory work, as well as some work within the early phases of clinical development.

Alexander is interested in a broad range of methodological areas with a specific focus on helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies make better, data-driven decisions. In fact, this keen interest saw Alexander become the chair of the EFSPI/SPI SIG on benefit-risk, founder and chair of the data visualisation SIG and the Launch and Lifecycle SIG. Alexander has also served PSI as a board director responsible for communications.

He founded The Effective Statistician podcast, the weekly podcast designed to help statisticians and data scientists reach their potential, lead great science and serve patients without becoming overwhelmed by work. The podcast was downloaded more than 100 000 times and contains 200+ episodes.

Alexander is a happy husband and father of three wonderful kids, who he credits for his continued passion and drive to help patients worldwide. In his spare time, Alexander loves running and listening to podcasts.

Gary Sullivan


Gary is currently consults as a Leadership Specialist and Statistical Scientist for my company Espirer Consulting since March, 2018. Before this, he was the Senior Director for Non-Clinical Statistics at Eli Lilly and Company, where he worked for 28 years. He also worked as a technical statistician in Non-Clinical Statistics for the first half of my career at Eli Lilly.

He led the development and instruction of the first leadership course at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) of the American Statistical Association (ASA) in 2014.. He has provided leadership training to over 500 statisticians and data scientists, both at Eli Lilly and within the ASA. In addition, he has authored several articles and a book chapter on leadership for statisticians.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Pittsburgh, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in Statistics from Iowa State University.

Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
I need an invoice with my company details. How do I get one?
If you want to get an invoice with your company details, please write an email to [email protected]. Then your company can pay against this invoice.

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