Changbao Wu, Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo, is the recipient of the 2026 Gold Medal of the Statistical Society of Canada (SSC), the Society’s highest honour.
Professor Wu is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to survey methodology. His research has advanced the theory and practice of model calibration, empirical likelihood methods for complex survey data, and the analysis of non-probability samples. His work has been published in leading statistical journals, including the Journal of the American Statistical Association, Biometrika, and the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society.
Beyond his research, Professor Wu has played a significant role in major survey initiatives, including the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. He has advised organizations such as Statistics Canada, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and the First Nations Information Governance Centre.
A dedicated educator, mentor, and leader, Professor Wu has supervised numerous graduate students, co-authored the widely used book Sampling Theory and Practice, and provided extensive service to the statistical community in Canada and internationally. He currently serves as Chair of the University of Waterloo’s Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science.
Learn more about Changbao Wu and the award on the SSC website.
SSC Citation Accompanying the Award
"To Changbao Wu, for groundbreaking contributions to the theory and practice of survey methodology, including innovations in model calibration, empirical likelihood, and non-probability sampling; for advancing statistical science through impactful research and practical applications; for his exemplary mentorship and dedication to training future statisticians; and for his outstanding leadership and service to the statistical community in Canada and internationally.”