April 2021

We are about a month away from AAPOR’s 76th Annual Conference, which will mark the end of the 2020-2021 Council year. The year has really flown by as AAPOR Council has been very busy on many fronts. This year’s Council will go down in the annals of AAPOR history as the only one that has not been able to meet in person. That has made some of our work more challenging, but we’ve adjusted well. Council was as productive as ever, and I’m continually impressed by how hard my fellow Council members, and AAPOR’s more than 250 volunteers, have worked and all they’ve accomplished.

April showers bring May conferences! As we look toward our annual May conference—and our second virtual conference—many AAPORites may be wondering what the conference will look like this year.

By the time you read this article, you will know which AAPOR members will join AAPOR’s Executive Council in May 2021. We all owe thanks to those who agreed to be considered as possible nominees, those who ran for office and those who will serve on the next Council. It is sometimes hard to appreciate from a distance the volume of work that Council turns out.  Councilors take the trust placed in them as a serious commitment, and most Council members spend some part of every day on the work of AAPOR. As Past President, I am finishing my third year on Council, and I am still repeatedly impressed and moved by the commitment that AAPOR inspires, the generosity of our members and the work of our Council. 

Voting and its place in decision-making and governance have been looming large the past year—both nationally and within AAPOR. Thus far, we have reviewed, commented on and voted to adopt a Conduct Policy; amended the Bylaws; and we are in the midst of voting on the AAPOR Code of Professional Ethics and Practices after previously reviewing and commenting. Voting on your preferred candidates for the next Executive Council (EC) is also taking place this spring. 

The Transparency Initiative Coordinating Committee was excited to welcome four new members in 2020. In its sixth year of operation, the Transparency Initiative continues to receive interest from research organizations that represent a range of sectors and methodological approaches. With these new members, the Transparency Initiative stands at over 90 members.

The AAPOR Welcoming Committee is here for all members and conference-goers who are students, early-career professionals or folks who are newer to AAPOR. We are excited to welcome you to AAPOR 2021! We will be hosting both an AWC Happy Hour (May 10 from 6-8pm EDT) and a round table ("'New to AAPOR’ Round Table: Welcome to AAPOR! How Has COVID-19 Affected Your Research, Work, or Graduate Study?" on May 11 from 2-3pm EDT). Both are informal events designed for you to meet some friendly AAPOR faces and get accustomed to the virtual conference. We hope you’ll join us!

Ting Yan is an associate director for statistics and evaluation sciences, and senior survey methodologist at Westat, where she has been for over six years. As part of her work there, she is also an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan’s Survey Methodology Program and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Prior to working at Westat, Ting was a senior survey methodologist at NORC.

NEAAPOR has been working to expand our membership in the New England states, particularly by attracting students interested in public opinion with academic and social activities. We also have been working to attract members from the business community.