The IDEMS Podcast

In this episode, Lily and George discuss the nuances and differences between statistical and mathematical modelling. They explore how each field approaches modelling, and touch on hybrid models that incorporate both statistical and mathematical elements, and the significance of uncertainty in modelling predictions.

In this episode, Lucie and Roger discuss planning agricultural research, highlighting on-station and on-farm trials. They emphasize integrating diverse data collection methods, farmer involvement, and balancing research design and farmer participation.

In this episode, Lily and George discuss their journeys from their PhD to IDEMS’ Postdoctoral Impact Activation Fellowship. Lily also describes her transition to a permanent role while George describes what he imagines his transition might be like. An informal chat that reveals two different enough yet similar experiences joining IDEMS.

In this episode, Lucie talks to Roger about his work in agricultural research methods. Roger shares his experience with CCRP, the shift from on-station to on-farm research, the role of farmers' organizations, and advancements in data collection and analysis.

In this episode, Lucie and David discuss the 20th anniversary of the Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems’ Community of Practice in West Africa, and in particular the evolution of its Research Methods Support. The conversation underscores the impact of patient, long-term approaches and local capacity building in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, as an introduction to a series of upcoming episodes...

In this episode, Lily and David discuss the concept of proxy variables and feedback loops. They explore the use of proxies when direct measurement is impractical, using examples from agriculture and education. The discussion includes the pitfalls of educational performance metrics and university rankings, demonstrating the complexities and potential misinterpretations involved in using proxy indic...

Lucie and David discuss the recent progress and training in building a research methods support team in West Africa. The conversation highlights their efforts in providing various trainings, and the development of local teams capable of delivering these trainings. They also emphasize the importance of reflective learning reports, local capacity building, and moving towards more engaging pedagogica...

In this episode, George and Kate discuss the challenge of transforming deep R&D into tangible products. They explore the balance between simplicity and complexity, the need for early market validation, and the difficulty of securing private investment for ambitious long-term goals. The conversation touches on the unique product and funding strategies for social enterprises and highlights how IDEMS...

In this episode Johnny and Kate discuss the intricacies of marketing IDEMS, emphasizing the challenges of presenting its diverse and impactful work. They highlight the importance of a well-structured website, balancing in-depth technical information with user-friendly content, and the need to showcase successes without overshadowing their collaborative nature. They also touch on the evolution of I...

Kate Fleming and Lucie Hazelgrove Planel discuss the complexities of collecting sensitive data from communities, emphasizing the importance of building trust and ensuring the data serves the community's interests. The conversation touches on various examples, including work with West African farmers, stressing the need for sustainable, community-focused research models.

IDEMS Directors David Stern and Kate discuss the concept of “moral ambition”, prompted by the recent book by Rutger Bregman of the same name. David and Kate reflect on their own career paths, the societal expectations of younger generations, and the challenges they faced while carving out meaningful careers. They explore the interconnectedness of education, entrepreneurial spirit, and moral ambiti...

It feels like we’re surrounded by dystopian visions of the future. But what might a future look like where humanity, technology and nature harmoniously coexist? In this episode, Johnny McQuade and David Stern explore the concept of “Solarpunk”, a science fiction aesthetic that tries to envision exactly this. The conversation touches upon agroecology, renewable energy, and sustainable technology, a...

In this episode, Lily Clements talks to David Stern about how IDEMS aims to bring about systemic change. Key examples include work with National Met Offices in Zambia and Malawi to make climate data accessible and impactful, and digital interventions in parenting programs to reduce violence against children in Tanzania.

Lucie and Kate discuss their experiences at a workshop for PhD and postdoctoral mathematicians at the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Edinburgh. They reflect on the challenges mathematicians experience to enter into socially impactful careers, the sense of community the workshop fostered, and the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration.

Lily Clements and David Stern explore the future of statistics education through the lens of George Cobb's influential 2015 paper, “Mere Renovation is Too Little Too Late: We Need to Rethink Our Undergraduate Curriculum from the Ground Up”. They discuss key imperatives from Cobb's work, such as flattening prerequisites, seeking depth, embracing computation, exploiting context, and teaching through...

In this episode, Lucie discussed with Moustapha Moussa and Gabriela Bucini The Origins of the Food Innovation Centres in West Africa. Moustapha tells the story of how these were started, sharing the challenges faced, exposing the courage needed for this innovation, and the successes, focusing on the beautiful social development of farmer communities.

George Simmons and David Stern discuss the development of educational courses with a focus on tool agnosticism, particularly in their collaboration with the Open University of Kenya for their Msc in Mathematical Innovation course. They explore the challenges and benefits of assessing student work without being tied to specific tools, and highlight the importance of good question design in ensuring...

In this episode, George interviews David, discussing the development of an 'Introduction to Systems Modelling' course in collaboration with the Open University of Kenya. They explore balancing theoretical and practical approaches to enhance postgraduate students' modelling skills and emphasise the value of collaboration and iteration in course development.

David Stern is joined by Lily Clements and James Musyoka to discuss the Kenyan MSc program in Maths Innovation. By focusing on data rather than just methods, the program aims to foster a culture of informed decision-making and data literacy in Kenya. They emphasise the importance of contextualising AI and data science education to cater to local needs and challenges.

David and Mike Obiero continue their discussion on the Mathematics Innovations MSc program focusing on the textbook project and how it relates to it. Mike presents his vision on how a community of teachers and educators can be built to create open educational resources of mathematics, and in particular to an interactive, contextualisable open electronic textbook with potential for positive impact...

David Stern and Mike Obiero continue their discussion of the MSc in Math Innovation program. The program's three major pathways – educational innovation, mathematics, and data and AI – are designed to fill specific gaps and cater to diverse interests. They highlight the flexibility of the program and its suitability for both local and international contexts, emphasising its potential for broad imp...

David welcomes Mike Obiero back to the podcast, president of the Kenyan Maths Society and lecturer at Maseno University. They discuss a new, flexible MSc programme targeted at mathematics teachers in Kenya. The aim is to empower teachers, provide practical skills, and leverage the rich history of mathematics education in Kenya to produce the next generation of math educators and innovators.

Lucie Hazelgrove Planel and David Stern discuss an intriguing study on the ecological benefits of solar panels in desert regions. They discuss how solar panels can increase biodiversity by providing shade, reduce desertification, and potentially convert unproductive desert land into valuable solar farms that generate electricity and support agricultural activities, helping to create sustainable oa...

David Stern interviews Ali Maman Aminou from Niger about his work with Fuma Gaskiya, a farmer federation. They discuss the federation's origins, its growth from around 5,000 to over 21,000 members, including 55% women, and its significant achievements. Aminou shares how Fuma Gaskiya managed a research grant, tackled data collection challenges, and demonstrated the efficacy of using human urine (re...

In this episode, David chats with Laouali from the Sahel IPM team about his inspiring journey in biological pest control. Laouali shares his experiences from starting with the GIMEM project, mentoring students, expanding pest management techniques, and his aspirations for safer, organic agriculture in Niger.