David Steel

David Steel is a Senior Professor and Professorial Fellow at the School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong. He holds roles such as Director of the Centre for Statistical and Survey Methodology, and has led research on survey methodology and statistical design for over three decades. His career includes significant contributions to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), where he specialized in sample survey design and analysis for major household surveys like the Monthly Labour Force Survey.

Education:

• BSc in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (University of Adelaide, 1973)
• Masters in Statistics (Australian National University, 1977–78, part-time)
• PhD in Social Statistics (University of Southampton, 1985)

Research Focus: Steel’s work centers on survey methodology, including design and analysis of complex social and economic data, small area estimation, telephone survey methods, and repeated surveys. He emphasizes the interplay between data collection and analytical techniques, particularly in addressing challenges posed by complex population structures.

Awards & Leadership: Member of the International Association of Survey Statisticians and former Associate Editor of the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series A. He has secured over ten ARC/NHMRC grants since 1995 and led projects like the Applied Statistics Education and Research Collaboration funded by DEST.