Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Department of Statistics were among those taking part in a joint conference with Peking University in April, bringing together academics working across quantitative finance, data science and related areas.
The PKU–Oxford Joint Conference on Quantitative Finance and Data Science took place in Beijing from 20–23 April, with contributions from the Oxford–Man Institute of Quantitative Finance and Oxford’s Department of Statistics alongside several departments at Peking University.
The conference brought together researchers working at the intersection of statistics, finance and data science, with discussions spanning topics such as econometrics, machine learning and financial mathematics.
Over four days, more than twenty speakers from universities and research institutes in China, the UK and internationally presented their work, covering areas including financial engineering, artificial intelligence and statistical modelling. Oxford contributors included Professor Álvaro Cartea, Professor Gesine Reinert, Professor Mihai Cucuringu and Professor Frank Windmeijer.
The programme also featured a session for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, giving early-career researchers the opportunity to present their work and engage with colleagues from across disciplines.
Alongside the academic programme, representatives from Peking University and the University of Oxford signed an agreement outlining plans for further collaboration, including joint graduate training, researcher exchanges and shared research projects.
Finding a needle in the genomic haystack: Targeting rare genes using statistical outliers
In statistical modelling, extreme outliers are often written off as 'noise'. But a new study by researchers from Oxford's Department of Statistics and Big Data Institute published this week in The American Journal of Human Genetics reverses that principle, using these outliers as the basis of a targeting system for locating rare, high-impact genetic mutations.
Professor Ben Lambert wins MPLS Research Supervision Award
Professor Ben Lambert has won a 2025/26 Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Award for Outstanding Research Supervision, recognised for his exceptional dedication to supporting researchers at every stage of their development.
Brian Ripley recognised in $1 million Rousseeuw Prize for contributions to the R Project
Professor Brian Ripley, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics and former Head of the Department of Statistics at the University of Oxford, has been named as one of five laureates of the 2026 Rousseeuw Prize for Statistics.