The International Encyclopedia of Statistical Science stands as a monumental effort to enrich statistics education globally, particularly in regions facing educational challenges. By amalgamating the expertise of over 700 authors from 110 countries, including Nobel Laureates and presidents of statistical societies, it offers an unparalleled resource for readers worldwide. This encyclopedia is not just a collection of entries; it is a concerted effort to revive statistics as a vibrant, critical field of study and application. Providing a comprehensive and accessible account of statistical terms, methods, and applications, it enables readers to gain a quick insight into the subject, regardless of their background. This work serves to refresh and expand the knowledge of researchers, managers, and practitioners, highlighting the relevance and applicability of statistics across various fields, from economics and business to healthcare and public policy. Furthermore, it aims to inspire students by demonstrating the significance of statistics in solving real-world problems, thus encouraging a new generation to explore and contribute to the field.
Dr. Miodrag Lovric embarked on his academic journey at the Department of Statistics, University of Belgrade, culminating in the completion of his Ph.D. in Statistical Science in 1986. His doctoral research focused on the efficiency and robustness of nonparametric rank tests, with a particular emphasis on the relevance of the Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency, especially in the context of moderate sample sizes. His early career involved teaching and research in Belgrade, but the turbulent times during the war in Yugoslavia prompted him to make a significant decision—to leave Serbia and relocate to New Zealand. In 1995, Dr. Lovric became part of the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, contributing to distance education. The following year, he joined Wellington Polytechnic, later integrated into Massey University, where he delivered diverse courses, ranging from programming languages and data analysis to quality assurance and applied statistics. His commitment to conveying the relevance, beauty, and universal value of statistical thinking led him to envision and develop user-friendly statistical software named EduStat.
The year 1999 marked a move to Australia, where Dr. Lovric joined the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of South Australia, Adelaide. Responsible for teaching statistics across various disciplines, he encountered student feedback indicating a need for a fresh approach to statistical education. This realization inspired him to spend several years designing and developing EduStat, aiming to create a friendlier attitude toward statistics. Returning to Serbia in 2002, Dr. Lovric assumed the role of Professor of Statistics at the University of Belgrade, extending to the University of Kragujevac from 2008. Despite the widespread use of his statistical software at more than 30 faculties in the region and its exposure on numerous Serbian TV channels, he observed a crisis in statistics education in the former Yugoslavian republics. In response, he dedicated himself to a new project, resulting in the creation of the International Encyclopedia of Statistical Science.
In 2018, Miodrag Lovric embarked on a significant new chapter in his professional journey, moving from New Zealand to the United States. This transition marked a pivotal point in his career, bringing new opportunities and collaborations. Upon joining the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Radford University in the United States, Miodrag was met with an extraordinary welcome and an outpouring of support from his colleagues, a testament to the inclusive and collegial atmosphere of the academic community there. At the heart of this warm reception was the faculty at the Artis College of Science, who extended their support and camaraderie, playing a crucial role in his smooth integration into the academic fabric of the institution. Professor Neil Sigmon, the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, stood out for his guidance and encouragement, providing Miodrag with invaluable insights and assistance as he acclimated to his new environment. His Dean, Steven Bachrach, Ph.D., was instrumental in fostering an environment where Miodrag’s talents and experiences were not only recognized but also celebrated. Under Dean Bachrach’s leadership, Miodrag found a conducive and vibrant setting for both teaching and research, enabling him to thrive and contribute significantly to the department. A highlight of Miodrag’s transition was the support from Bret S. Danilowicz, Ph.D., the President of Radford University. President Danilowicz’s leadership and vision for the university played a pivotal role in creating an atmosphere where international scholars like Miodrag could flourish and make meaningful contributions to the academic community.
Most importantly, the enthusiasm and engagement of his students in the United States have been a source of great joy and inspiration for Miodrag. Their curiosity, eagerness to learn, and ability to challenge conventional thinking have greatly enriched his experience as an educator and a mentor. It is this interaction with his students that Miodrag cherishes the most, as it represents the core essence of his passion for teaching and statistical science. Journey to Radford University significantly enhanced Dr. Lovric’s conception, vision, and knowledge of Statistical Science. After contributing six joint papers in the first edition of IESS, his involvement grew substantially in the second edition, revising these papers and authoring seven new joint papers and fourteen as a single author. Additionally, he updated many papers from the first edition, showcasing his dedication to maintaining the Encyclopedia’s relevance and accuracy.
Dr. Lovric’s research interests span a wide spectrum, covering Statistical Science, Philosophy of Statistical Inference, Bayesian vs. Frequentists Controversy, Controversies and Paradoxes in Statistical Testing, History of Statistics, Statistics Education, Statistical Computing, Computational Statistics, Statistics Software, Data Science, Social Statistics, Nonparametric Statistics, Robustness of Statistical Tests, Big Data and Simulation Techniques, and initiatives to revive interest in statistics education in developing countries. Dr. Lovric’s professional affiliations include membership in the New Zealand Statistical Association, Statistical Society of Australia, Fellowship in the Royal Statistical Society, and membership in the American Statistical Association. He has served as a peer-reviewer for various journals and authored numerous papers and books. A pinnacle in his career was a joint paper published with the eminent world statistician, Professor C. R. Rao, in 2016.
He has delivered research seminars and speeches at universities worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Malta, the USA, Brazil, India, Japan, and Serbia. In 2013, Dr. Lovric received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, supported by commendations from the Provost (Rector) of Wayne State University, USA, senators from Michigan, the Rector (Chancellor) of Hyderabad University, India, the President of Bosnia, and the President of the Republic of Srpska, along with nominators from Spain and Serbia. Subsequently, in 2014, he received nominations from Brazil and Botswana. His monumental work, the International Encyclopedia of Statistical Science (3 volumes, Springer reference work), was recognized as the largest international scientific project in history (AMSTAT NEWS, May 2011 edition, page 14). As of January 2024, it has garnered 4060 citations. In December 2018, the Encyclopedia was translated into Japanese and published by the Statistical Society of Japan in five volumes, comprising 2130 pages.
