MODELING WORKSHOP: CALL FOR POSTERS

[Giovanni Parmigiani]

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     CALL FOR POSTERS -- CALL FOR TRAVEL FUNDING APPLICATIONS
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   WORKSHOP ON STOCHASTIC MODEL BUILDING AND VARIABLE SELECTION
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         Duke university, Durham, NC,  October 9-10, 1997 
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GOALS OF THE WORKSHOP

Advances  in   statistical methodology  and   computing   are  opening
opportunities for statistical  analysis and  modeling of complex  data
sets.  In  this endeavor, it  is  becoming  increasingly common to use
computer-based tools for guiding the initial specification of the main
features  of statistical    models.  Recently, a   new  generation  of
stochastic algorithms has  been emerging as  an important augmentation
to traditional  deterministic strategies. Examples  include stochastic
search methods for variable  selection, graphical models, selection of
variable transformations and  interactions, wavelet thresholding, ARMA
modeling, CART, MARS, neural networks, data mining and more.  The goal
of the workshop is to promote interaction between researchers involved
in diverse aspects of this field. 


PROGRAM 

The program  of  the Workshop   will  include both  talks  and  poster
presentations.  The talks will be invited, and  will be organized in 5
or 6 sessions, each  including  2 or 3  related presentations.   Ample
time will be allowed for  floor discussion.  No parallel sessions will
be planned, to encourage interaction among participants with different
interests  and background. The meeting  will run from Thursday morning
October  9 to Friday afternoon,   October 10, 1997.  A poster  session
open  to contributors will  take place  the evening of  October 9, and
will also provide a venue for further informal interaction. 

Further details about the Workshop are available at the www site 
	http://www.isds.duke.edu/conferences/GP97/vs97.html 
The site will  be updated as soon as  more detailed information  about
the program and participants becomes available. 

This  Workshop  is     part  of  STATISTICS     WEEK 1997   at    Duke
University. Participants may be interested in the other meetings: 
         * THE 1997 NBER/NSF TIME SERIES SEMINAR (Oct 10-11) 
  	 * WORSKHOP ON WAVELETS AND STATISTICS   (Oct 12-13) 
Further details are available at 
	   http://www.isds.duke.edu/conferences/fall97.html


CALL FOR POSTERS

We are  actively seeking presentations for  the poster session.  These
are some of the relevant topics for discussion at the workshop: 

  Stochastic versus deterministic search for variable selection.
  Modelling, elicitation and calibration issues.

  Graphical models, causal modelling, large data bases, visualization,
  data-mining and other topics in artificial intelligence.

  Selection of transformations and interactions, generalized linear
  models, generalized additive models, neural networks. Model choice
  and variable selection issues in clustering and hierarchical models.
  Partition models. 

  Stochastic CART and MARS.

  Computing issues and algorithms. MCMC Jump diffusion. Bayes factors
  and marginal model probability calculations. Stochastic annealing. 

  Case studies from any field of applications.

  Decision analysis and utility in variable selection and modelling
  problems. Modelling the cost of variables. Computing algorithms.  

  Time Series and Wavelets 


REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL SUPPORT

The Workshop organizers have applied for an NSF Group Travel Grant for
participants  from the  USA    to attend  the Workshop.    Interactive
registration and grant application forms are available at the www site 

	http://www.isds.duke.edu/conferences/GP97/vs97.html


PROCEEDINGS

A World  Wide Web version  of the proceedings  of the Workshop will be
created at the  ISDS www site.  Papers will  be made available as soon
as  the link information is  sent to us.   Instructions for submission
are posted on the workshop site. 



	We look forward to seeing you at the Workshop.

	The Organizing Committee: 
	
	John Geweke, 
	Giovanni Parmigiani (Chair)
	Mike West 


	The Program Committee: 
	
	David Draper,
	John Geweke, 
	David Madigan,
	Giovanni Parmigiani,
	Mike West