Description: Over the past couple of years, the Society of Actuaries has altered radically its perception of its research role. An Issues management process has been put into place to identify and prioritize research activities. A management process has been established to approve research projects and to oversee progress. With such a structure In place a number of research projects have been initiated. The research activities of the SOA go well beyond new research projects. A revitalization of the experience studies and library activities also has occurred. In addition, several special projects which deserve mention have been undertaken. This article provides a status report on a list of research projects, experience studies, library activities and other projects. It also provides a chart showing the flow of a research project from conception to completion. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1991, Vol. 1.

Description: The following case study walks through the steps of a predictive modeling exercise to illustrate one way analytics can streamline the underwriting paradigm.

Description: Call for papers for publication in Actuarial Research Clearing House (ARCH). The primary goal of ARCH is the speedy dissemination of current thinking and aids to research rather than the publication of thoroughly edited papers. ARCH welcomes short notes or papers, correspondence between researchers, useful computer programs (or announcements of the availability of such programs), translations of appropriate material in foreign languages, problems, solutions, etc.

Description: This article is about the need for actuaries and technical professionals to develop critical leadership and other soft skills, and highlights the ways the SOA Leadership & Development section provides tools to develop those skills.

Description: The numerous restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have certainly affected everyone and those measures may have consequences for our health. The article attempts to uncover possible links between COVID-19 and depression.

Description: The August/September 2014 edition of The Actuary magazine—the Society of Actuaries’ flagship publication.

Description: Commentary about the articles published in the current issue.

Description: Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series of three covering the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Competency Framework. The subsequent articles will appear in future issues of the Actuary of the Future newsletter. The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Competency Framework is a powerful tool to enable you to design your future. Though it has been the SOA’s instrument for prioritizing continuing education and support to members since 2010, many actuaries are still not fully aware what a potent tool it can be to them in planning their personal careers.

Description: As actuaries, we’re trained to see patterns in numbers and to design solutions that mitigate risk. But I can tell you from experience that while quantitative analysis and modeling are critical actuarial tools, looking at the numbers alone can lead to insurance products that don’t succeed in the real world the way the math says they “should.” With new digital technologies, we have more data at our fingertips than ever before, but I believe it’s equally as important to bring qualitative research methodologies into your product development process if you want to design solutions that meet real needs in the market. In this article, Amanda Turcotte shares what happens when qualitative research is neglected or ignored, what happens when you incorporate it into the product design process, and how to implement qualitative research practices in your organization.