We all rely on evidence for decision making, but the numbers are often presented in ways that are intended to coerce rather than inform. The Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication aims to ensure that facts on important issues are presented in ways that are accurate, transparent and relevant.

Ahead of the launch, David Harding, Winton’s founder and CEO, said: “I know from experience that we often apply quantitative methods to justify our own prejudices. General understanding of statistical reasoning in finance is poor, but I think this also applies to other fields where the stakes are even higher, including medicine and the law. This new centre will help individuals, governments and the media communicate numerical evidence and risk in much better ways.”

The new centre will research decision making in order to develop the best ways to present data to different audiences.