By Bruce Jones
Western University will host the next Actuarial Research Conference on August 8–11, 2018. Founded in 1878, Western is one of Canada’s largest universities, with a full-time student population of about 30,000. A research-intensive university, Western is known for several signature research areas which include neuroscience, imaging, wind engineering and disaster mitigation among others. The University’s faculties span diverse disciplines from medicine to music, and education to engineering. The impressive architecture and attractive green spaces on Western’s campus place it among the most beautiful university campuses in Canada.
Housed in the Faculty of Science, the Department of Statistical & Actuarial Sciences offers well-established programs in actuarial science, financial modelling and statistics, as well as recently developed joint programs (with the Department of Computer Science) in data science. Actuarial science at Western began in 1922, when Harold Kingston, head of the Mathematics Department, introduced courses in the mathematical theory of investment, finite differences, and theory of probability in life insurance. The actuarial program benefited greatly from the contributions of John Mereu, a local actuary who taught life contingencies courses at Western every year from 1957 to 2009. Western currently employs six actuarial science faculty members.
Western University is conveniently located in London, Ontario, within driving distance of much of central Canada and the mid-western United States. London International Airport allows easy access by air. A medium-sized city, London has music halls, theatres, museums, parks and sports facilities, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants. London is also close to many attractions in southern Ontario, including several Great Lakes beaches, the Stratford Festival, Niagara Falls, and the Niagara wine region.
ARC attendees will experience both the City of London and the Western campus. The conference will kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 8 with an evening reception at Museum London overlooking the Forks of the Thames and the Walter J. Blackburn Memorial Fountain. Also planned are a poster session in the renovated atrium of the Physics and Astronomy Building, one of the original two campus buildings, and a banquet at the University’s Great Hall.
We very much hope you will come to ARC 2018 at Western University for a stimulating conference and an enjoyable visit to London and area! Find more information on the conference website.
Bruce Jones, FSA, FCIA, is a professor at Western University. He can be reached at jones@stats.uwo.ca.