A conversation with James V. Zidek

Abstract This article documents a series of exchanges between the authors and the senior Canadian statistician Jim Zidek in early 2026. The interview traces his life trajectory, surveying his principal contributions to statistics while offering insights into his motivations, successes, and challenges. Zidek is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Over the course of a long and distinguished career, he has received numerous awards, including the Statistical Society of Canada's Gold Medal in 2000.