Erica Groshen named Statistical Advocate of the Year

For her transformative role in conveying the importance of high-quality federal statistics to legislators, journalists and the public, Erica Groshen, senior economics advisor at the ILR School, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Harry V. Roberts Statistical Advocate of the Year Award, presented by the American Statistical Association (ASA).

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of statistics through advocacy, leadership and impact.

"I am deeply honored that the ASA has named me the 2026 recipient of the Harry V. Roberts Statistical Advocate of the Year Award," said Groshen. "But I am not alone. This honor also recognizes everyone who has supported official statistics by working for a stats agency, signing a letter to the Hill, submitting a comment to a Federal Register Notice, joining the Friends of BLS or another 'friends' group, covering federal statistics in the media, talking to journalists, writing op-eds, podcasting or doing research.

"Together we've made a difference, and there is much more to do."

After a distinguished career as an economist in the Federal Reserve system, and a term as Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Groshen joined the ILR School in 2017 as a senior economics advisor. Groshen conducts labor economics research centered on labor market dynamics, wages and the role of employers in the labor market. She is a nationally recognized leader in the economics and statistics communities and has been a prominent advocate for the independence, modernization and scientific integrity of the federal statistical system.

Read the full story on the ILR website.
Julie Greco is director of communications for the ILR School