Robert Groves

Robert M. Groves currently serves as the Interim President of Georgetown University. Dr. Groves held the position of Executive Vice President and Provost from 2012 through 2024. He is also the Gerard J. Campbell, S.J. Professor in the Math and Statistics Department as well as the Sociology Department at Georgetown University.

Groves is a Social Statistician, who studies the Impact of Social Cognitive and Behavioral Influences on the quality of Statistical Information. His research has focused on the impact of mode of data collection on responses in sample surveys, the social and political influences on survey participation, the use of adaptive research designs to improve the cost and error properties of statistics, and public concerns about privacy affecting attitudes toward statistical agencies.

He has authored or co-authored seven books and scores of peer-reviewed articles. His 1989 book, Survey Errors and Survey Costs, was named one of the 50 most influential books in survey research by the American Association of Public Opinion Research. His book, Nonresponse in Household Interview Surveys, with Mick Couper, received the 2008 AAPOR Book Award. His co-authored book, Survey Nonresponse, received the 2011 AAPOR Book Award. He served as the Director of the US Census Bureau between 2009-2012.

Groves serves on several boards and advisory committees including the National Research Council Committee on National Statistics, Pew Research Center Board, the National Science Board, and the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences, of the National Academy of Medicine, of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the International Statistical Institute.