Benjamin Guedj, University College London, gives a OxCSML Seminar on 26th March 2021. Abstract: PAC-Bayes is a generic and flexible framework to address generalisation abilities of machine learning algorithms. It leverages the power of Bayesian inference and allows to derive new learning strategies. I will briefly present the key concepts of PAC-Bayes and highlight a few recent contributions from my group.

Department of Statistics

A primer on PAC-Bayesian learning *followed by* News from the PAC-Bayes frontline

The Department of Statistics at Oxford is a world leader in research including computational statistics and statistical methodology, applied probability, bioinformatics and mathematical genetics. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Oxford's Mathematical Sciences submission was ranked overall best in the UK. This is an exciting time for the Department. We have now moved into our new home on St Giles and we are currently settling in. The new building provides improved lecture and teaching space, a variety of interaction areas, and brings together researchers in Probability and Statistics. It has created a highly visible centre for the Department in Oxford. Since 2010, the Department has been awarded over forty research grants with a total value of £9M, not counting several very large EPSRC and MRC funded awards for Centres for doctoral training.The main sponsors are the European Commission, EPSRC, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. We offer an undergraduate degree (BA or MMath) in Mathematics and Statistics, jointly with the Mathematical Institute. At postgraduate level there is an MSc course in Applied Statistics, as well as a lively and stimulating environment for postgraduate research (DPhil or MSc by Research). Our graduates are employed in a wide range of occupational sectors throughout the world, including the university sector. The Department co-hosts the EPSRC and MRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Next-Generational Statistical Science- the Oxford-Warwick Statistics Programme OxWaSP.

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