The IDEMS Podcast

David and Kate delve into the ongoing AI boom, questioning whether it's mere hype or has real substance. They explore the ethical and responsible use of AI, emphasizing the importance of making technology accessible and beneficial to low-resource communities. They argue that small language models could provide specific, efficient solutions. The conversation also touches on the societal impacts of AI, the need for regulatory frameworks, and the potential for AI to democratize technology, moving away from its current gatekept state.

David and Mike discuss Kenya's new competency-based curriculum and a UK-backed campaign to create innovative digital textbooks. They delve into the challenges and potential solutions, highlighting the role of PreText and STACK technologies in revolutionizing education across Africa. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/open-digital-textbooks

In this episode, Michele and David discuss the development and impact of an AI tool for authoring STACK questions. They explore the potential of AI to enhance educational resources, make technology development more accessible, and address inequalities in low-resource environments. The conversation highlights both the opportunities and challenges presented by rapid advancements in AI.

Recently back from the World Statistics Congress, David and James reflect on the significance of this event, which brings together statisticians and the broader statistics community to share knowledge, foster collaborations, and advance the field. They discuss the evolving relationship between statistics and data science, highlighting the importance of both fields in the era of big data. They also explore the role of the International Association for Statistical Education (IASE) and the International Statistics Institute (ISI) in enhancing statistical education and integrating data science into curricula.

In this special 200th episode, Santiago and Johnny discuss how the podcast gets made. They consider the inspiration that led to its creation, the team members involved, and the evolution in production quality over the past 100 weeks. They also highlight the technical aspects, including the software and tools used, the editing process, and the role of AI in simplifying their workflow.

James Musyoka interviews David Stern, about his attendance at the Pan-African Convening on the Future of Biodigital Technologies in Food and Agriculture. Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and organized by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the event focused on the impact of digital technologies on African agriculture and data sovereignty. David shares insights about a declaration formed during the event and discusses the three models of technology development presented by Million Belay. They draw parallels between these topics and IDEMS' African Data Initiative and the R-Instat project, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in achieving local ownership and...

David is joined by Michele Pancera, an Impact Activation Fellow at IDEMS. Michele shares his journey from a high school maths enthusiast to member of IDEMS, via being a teacher and beekeeper. The conversation covers Michele's passion for making mathematics engaging through games, his experience of societal perceptions of maths education, and his various professional pivots. The discussion emphasises the value of generalists in a world that often prioritises specialists, and touches on Michele's ongoing contributions at IDEMS including developing an AI assistant for STACK questions and his woodworking ventures.

Santiago and David explore the transformative potential of gamifying education. They discuss how rethinking exams to be more like driving tests could shift the educational landscape away from high-stakes differentiation to a mastery-based model.

David and Lucie discuss ongoing efforts to responsibly use AI to assist smallholder farmers in the Sahel region. They discuss the challenges faced by farmers in identifying pests and diseases and the shortcomings of commercial AI tools. They highlight the work of Digital Green, a non-profit organisation developing an AI tool for farmers that emphasises relevance, local language integration, and responsible AI practices. They explore the potential for collaboration and future advancements in AI tools tailored for low-resource environments.

Lily and David discuss the old adage “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail”, and how it applies to the realm of research, particularly in the context of statistical analysis and methodology. Emphasising the importance of having a diverse set of tools, they explore how narrow training in data skills can limit the effectiveness of research. They consider how methodologies from different disciplines can benefit from cross-disciplinary approaches, including medical science, climate, education and agriculture.

Wrapping up the series of episodes marking twenty years of research method support for the Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems, Lucie and David Stern consider the complexities of research planning. They explore the shifts in their roles towards structural change, particularly in the West African region. David shares his experiences with building local capacity and structurally embedding research methods within organisations like FUMA Gaskiya. They also reflect on the challenges of meeting researchers where they are and the importance of involving both qualitative and quantitative methods in research planning.

Lily and George discuss their personal experiences of using generative AI in their work. They explore how AI assists in course development, coding, and writing tasks, sharing insights on how these tools can enhance productivity and creativity.

Lucie and Roger discuss the intricacies and applications of crop simulation models in agricultural research. Roger explains the historical development of these models since the 1980s and provides a detailed explanation of how crop simulation models work, such as the DSAT and APSIM systems, which are used extensively in the United States and Australia. The discussion underscores the models' value in complementing traditional field experiments, especially in understanding long-term agricultural dynamics. They also touch on the challenges of implementing these models in Africa due to climatic data availability.

Santiago and David discuss how aspects of education could be “gamified” in order to improve outcomes. They explore various real-world examples of how games are used to enhance learning, including platforms like Kahoot and innovative projects like SmileyCoin. As well as the benefits, they consider the potential downsides, such as excessive screen time and the impact of dopamine release on student concentration.

As part of their continuing conversations around research methods for agriculture, Lucie and Roger discuss the utility of conducting research trials over multiple years. They consider the importance of understanding climate variability, and the value of pilot experiments as well as the implications of adapting research methods based on initial findings and the benefits of engaging farmers extensively in the research process.

How do we understand the material living conditions of people on Earth today? In this episode of the IDEMS podcast, Lily and David discuss the influential book “Factfulness” by Hans Rosling. They explore Rosling's key concepts about global development, particularly the categorisation of the world into four income levels instead of the binary “developing” and “developed” terms.

Social impact scientist and anthropologist Lucie Hazelgrove Planel joins Roger Stern to discuss the intricate process of designing agricultural experiments. Using a real-world example involving 10 maize varieties and a field with 12 plots, they explore the challenges of fitting theoretical models to practical scenarios.

How do you present research data in a compelling way? In this episode, Lucie and David discuss the intricacies of creating impactful visualisations for projects. They consider the distinctions between descriptive, exploratory, and presentation graphs. They emphasise the importance of understanding your audience, whether it's scientific, agricultural, or policy-making, and how to adapt visualisations accordingly to tell compelling stories.

In order to collect research data, we need to take measurements. As part of their continuing conversations, Lucie and statistician Roger consider this critical topic of measurements in agricultural research. They explore various types of measurements, such as context measurements, objective-related measurements, and those that help explain variability, using examples from agricultural trials and anthropological studies. The conversation highlights the nuanced nature of collecting quality data and calls for thoughtful planning and pilot studies.

Santiago and David discuss recent advancements and challenges in educational technology, looking at the integration of the STACK electronic assessment system with the PreTeXt tool for textbook authoring. Reflecting on a successful African STACK Conference held in Ethiopia, they consider the broader impact of these innovations on education in Ethiopia and potentially other African countries, emphasising the importance of making technology accessible at the student, lecturer, and institution levels.

In their continuing conversations on Research Methods for Agriculture, Lucie and Roger discuss the importance and application of controls in agricultural research. They consider the importance of controls in general, and consider examples from both agricultural and medical experiments, emphasising the importance of ethical considerations when using controls. Roger shares insights on how to make controls meaningful, how to adjust experiments based on intermediate findings, and the potential pitfalls of rigidly adhering to control rules.

AI tools can be helpful in analysing quantitative data, but their potential utility in qualitative analysis might be less obvious, or even concerning. In this episode of the IDEMS Podcast, data scientist Lily Clements and social impact scientist Lucie Hazelgrove Planel discuss the usage of generative AI in analysing qualitative data. They explore the ethical implications, the importance of context, and the challenge of addressing biases in AI-generated analyses, as well as the evolving intersection of AI with traditional qualitative research methods.

Lucie Hazelgrove Planel and Roger Stern consider the importance of multilevel data in agricultural research. They discuss the concept of measurement units at different levels, such as individual, household, community, and village, and the challenges faced when dealing with multilevel data in practice. Using an example of a student’s experiment on tadpoles, they illustrate key principles in determining appropriate experimental design and data analysis.

In this episode, Lily Clements and David Stern discuss the “Tricot” method for participatory breeding trials. Short for “Triadic Comparisons of Technologies”, Tricot involves farmers testing three crop varieties and ranking them based on qualitative measures. They reflect on a recent workshop aimed at simplifying this complex analysis using custom R packages and the R-Instat software.

Lucie and Roger continue their discussions of research methods for agriculture, this time focusing on on-farm trials. They consider the benefits and challenges of conducting research on farms versus research stations, emphasizing the importance of farmer involvement in the research process. They consider the innovative “Tricot” method, which tests multiple crop varieties with minimal control from researchers to increase real-world applicability.

In this episode, David and Santiago debate the 'Dead Internet' Theory, which claims that AI-generated content will dominate the internet, making it less reliable. David challenges this theory, emphasizing the need for digital literacy, responsible use of AI, and the complex nature of trust in institutions versus individuals. They also discuss the implications of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking in society.

In this episode, Lucie interviews Roger about essential aspects of agricultural statistical experiments. They discuss treatment, layout, and measurement, using an irrigation and maize variety case study. Roger emphasizes the importance of clear objectives and balancing statistical rigor with practical agricultural considerations.

statistical and mathematical modeling. They explore how each field approaches modeling, and touch on hybrid models that incorporate both statistical and mathematical elements, and the significance of uncertainty in modeling 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 that will delve into the program's history and learnings.

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 indicators.

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 pedagogical methods through a gradual, patient approach, aiming for sustained growth and effective collaboration.

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 navigates these challenges while emphasizing the importance of impact over profit.

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 IDEMS’ marketing strategy, the role of design, and the aim to create a cohesive narrative that resonates with both experts and laypersons.

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 ambition while critiquing the simplistic hero narrative prevalent in startup culture.

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, as well as the role of global supply chains, the differences in technology innovation emerging from Africa vs elsewhere, and the challenges of balancing urban and rural food systems.

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 research.

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 conceptual understanding. They consider the evolving nature of technology in education and the increasing role of AI, emphasising the need for students to adapt to multiple tools rather than mastering just one.

In this episode, George interviews David, discussing the development of an 'Introduction to Systems Modeling' course in collaboration with the Open University of Kenya. They explore balancing theoretical and practical approaches to enhance postgraduate students' modeling skills and emphasize 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 in secondary education and beyond.

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 impact and collaboration.

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 oases in deserts worldwide.

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 (referred to as “oga”) as fertilizer. They reflect on shifting power dynamics in research, the development of a farmer-owned data collection app, and how these efforts have elevated the federation's standing as respected research partners.

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.

In this episode, Lily and David explore different types of graphs and their uses in data visualization. They discuss how to categorize visualizations for quick data checks, detailed interpretation, and effective presentations, emphasizing the importance of tailoring graphs to the audience.

Data scientists Lily Clements and David Stern discuss the concept of variability in data analysis. They explore different types of variability, particularly in the context of using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to analyse data variability. Considering practical examples from agriculture, they consider the complexity of distinguishing between natural and unaccounted-for variability.

In this episode, David interviews Professor Baoua on the journey of creating a robust research team in West Africa, making the most of limited resources and supported by the McKnight Foundation. Through a student-centered pyramid structure, he achieved significant innovations taking advantage of local resources, considering multidisciplinary collaboration and sustainability.

In this episode, David interviews Prof. Baoua about his remarkable 20-year effort to combat the millet head miner in the Sahel. He recounts how he developed a biological control method using a natural enemy, habrobracon hebetor, and empowered local farmers to deploy it. Supported by the McKnight Foundation, their project scaled to protect over 1.5 million hectares, transforming regional agriculture and turning a pest crisis into a sustainable solution.

In this episode, David talks with Dr Moustapha Moussa from Niger about empowering local farmers through agroecological practices. The discussion focuses on integrating local knowledge with scientific research, emphasizing patience and shifting power to local communities. This approach has led to effective scalability and impactful research results.

In this episode, David speaks with Dr Moustapha Moussa from Niger about his award-winning work in integrating cultural heritage and agroecology to fight malnutrition. Highlights include reviving over 40 traditional nutrient-rich dishes, community engagement, and the positive impact on local health and nutrition despite recent political challenges. 

Lucie interviews David about his recent CRFS leadership meeting participation. They discuss the strategies and regional focuses of the Global CRFS, the significance of bringing together varied projects, and the importance of synergy between local and global agroecology efforts.

Following a comment by Lucie that she wanted to ‘help communities do what they want to do’, Kate and Lucie dig into the complexities of the reality of this.

In this episode, George and David explore the concept of impact activation for mathematical scientists. They discuss how PhD holders in math-related fields can transition into diverse areas, adding unique value to social impact projects. The conversation highlights key traits like deep focus, resilience, pattern recognition, and abstraction skills that make mathematical scientists ideal for such roles. Emphasis is placed on the importance of collaboration.

In this episode, George and David discuss 'impact activation', a concept aimed at leveraging mathematical expertise for social good. Following a workshop at the International Center for Mathematical Sciences in Edinburgh, they envision turning their insights into a comprehensive book. This book will detail personal stories, impactful case studies, and the theoretical underpinnings of impact activation.

In this episode, David, George, and Lily recap their recent ICMS workshop, focusing on 'impact activation'. They discuss three career pathways: pursuing social impact as a hobby, integrating it into academic roles, or taking a significant leap into social-focused careers. They share insights from participants, noting the importance of personal definitions and the value of fostering supportive networks to facilitate impactful work.

David, Lily and George reflect on their recent workshop at the International Center for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) in Edinburgh, which focused on impact activation. They discuss the organisation and effectiveness of the workshop's model, which involved rapid preparation, flexible session plans, and ample reflection. They also share insights from their interactions with a diverse group of participants and the transferable skills within mathematical sciences.

In this episode, David speaks with Zachary Mbasu, the director of INODEMS in Kenya, about their collaborative efforts in developing new maths textbooks tailored for the competency-based curriculum currently being implemented in Kenya. The discussion highlights the challenges of the new curriculum and the use of technologies such as PreText and STACK to offer interactive and personalised learning experiences for students. They consider the significance of contextualised learning tools and the ongoing work for creating open textbooks that address the specific needs of different student populations.

In this episode David and Zach discuss the exciting work with scaling the math camps in Kenya. These camps, designed to engage all students, not just the math enthusiasts, are changing how young people view mathematics. They share inspiring stories of students who discovered a passion for math through these unconventional and interactive camps. They suggest how the Virtual Maths Camp innovation enabled large-scale participation and empowered teachers to keep the momentum going after camps.

Lily Clements and David Stern continue their discussion on the role of AI in international development, focusing on the evolution of AI in education, particularly in low-resource environments. From providing automated feedback on assessments to supporting personal tutors, they stress the importance of collaboration in building effective feedback systems and consider how AI can enhance rather than replace human interactions in education.

Lily Clements and David Stern discuss the intersection of AI and international development, particularly in low-resource environments. David reflects on the critical, yet often overlooked, role AI could play in aiding smallholder farmers in regions like West Africa. They consider the potential of open-source AI, the ethical issues around commercially driven AI apps, and the significant yet underutilised impact of established AI technologies on international development.

In this episode, Santiago Borio and David Stern explore how technology can better support teachers and improve student interactions. They share personal stories, discuss the challenges of providing personalized feedback, and highlight innovative tools and techniques. The episode offers insights into making classrooms more engaging and effective through technology, with perspectives from educational contexts in Argentina and Tanzania.

In this episode, co-founding director David Stern is joined by Johnny McQuade, a software developer at IDEMS, for his first discussion on the show. Prompted by recent advancements in AI technology from Chinese company DeepSeek, they consider the impact of resource limitations on technological development, within the field of AI and more generally. They consider how IDEMS’ approach of building technology for low-resource environments has the potential for global benefits in terms of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in technology, linking this to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

David Stern talks to Dr. Michael Obiero from Maseno University about their inspiring joint initiatives in educational reform. They delve into the challenges and achievements in developing digital, competency-based mathematics textbooks aimed at the Kenyan education system. Michael shares insights on the innovative methods deployed by the interns working on this project, the integration of various educational tools, and how this effort is expected to transform mathematics education in Kenya and potentially other countries too.

Santiago Borio, currently working as a maths teacher in Argentina, talks to David Stern about the differences between traditional schooling and other forms of education. They explore the potential downsides of compulsory schooling on rural and traditional communities, the distinction between education and schooling, and the societal impact of standardised education.

In this episode, data scientist Lily Clements and co-founding director David Stern discuss the AI Summit held in France in February 2025. The newly released declaration, signed by over 60 nations, promotes inclusive, sustainable, and responsible AI practices. They consider how, despite the notable absence of the UK and US, the declaration signals a potential shift towards societal benefit over commercial interest in AI development.

Following up on the discussion in Episode 129, Santiago Borio questions David Stern further on the implications of Donald Trump's executive order terminating USAID funding. They analyse the immediate and future consequences of this decision, and compare the situation with the UK's DFID closure, noting differences in impact and response.

Is it right to treat people differently? In this episode, Lily questions David around the idea of the IDEMS principle “options by context”, and how it applies to making concessions for different students in an educational setting. What is the difference between equality and equity, and which should we aim for?

In this episode of the IDEMS podcast, co-directors David Stern and Kate Fleming discuss the breaking news of the proposed shutdown of USAID. Highlighting the immediate and long-term implications, they consider the historical context of similar actions, notably the disbandment of DFID in the UK. They examine the wide-reaching effects on international development, local economies, and human lives, while recognising the potential for future innovation and systemic change.

In this episode, Lily and Santiago discuss their work with STACK for developing data skills. They share their experiences using STACK to create interactive and personalized questions for teaching statistical concepts. They reflect on different experiences using STACK questions on data with students, highlight the platform's ability to foster understanding through feedback and mastery learning, delve into the challenges of question design, and discuss student reception and performance improvements.

With Santiago returning to teaching this year, he and David discuss the contrasting dynamics between personalised teaching and scalable educational solutions. They explore the benefits and challenges of working directly with students, especially in an inclusive school environment, versus the impact of implementing large-scale academic solutions like STACK.

In this IDEMS podcast episode, Lily and David discuss the journey and challenges of Angela, the first African to win the Internet Math Off competition. David shares insights from his time teaching Angela at AIMS Ghana and highlights the barriers African female mathematicians face joining the international maths community. They talk about initiatives like the Schoenberg Foundation's support for female academics and the importance of role models. They also reflect on postgraduate courses in Africa and discuss the Maths Innovations Masters programme.

As a large language model, I can’t summarise this episode… Lily and David delve into the topic of AI summaries, considering issues of misinformation, the impact on organisational reputations, and the complexities of determining responsibility.

What is the importance of communities in international development? In this episode, Lucie Hazelgrove Planel and David Stern explore how communities function as a critical support structure, with established roles and leaders, and compare the ways that communities work in low-resource environments vs high-resource environments. The conversation considers the compromise that communities demand, and the shift towards digital communities, assessing their impact and the need for a balance between individual needs and collective well-being.

In this follow-up to Episode 112, Lucie Hazelgrove Planel and David Stern explore the complexities behind the question posed in that episode: “Why don't we just give money?” Through interrogating the assumptions of the question, they explore the nuances of direct monetary aid versus structured development activities, discussing personal experiences, the impact on local economies, and the importance of context-specific solutions.

Santiago Borio and David Stern discuss Santiago's return to teaching in Argentina, and his initiatives to integrate technology into education, focusing on the use of STACK for formative assessments. They consider the potential for scaling these technologies and discuss the exciting parallel projects in Kenya, the complexities of school database systems, and the responsible use of AI in education.

Social impact scientist Lucie Hazelgrove Planel and IDEMS co-founding director David Stern discuss their recent trip to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. They reflect on the series of workshops they conducted for the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems, focusing on innovative and conceptual research methods. They consider the challenges of integrating qualitative and quantitative research, the incorporation of artificial intelligence, and the importance of moving beyond disciplinary silos to address the complexities of agroecology.

In this New Year special of the IDEMS podcast, David and Santiago reflect on their journey with IDEMS, starting from Santiago's official employment in early 2020. They discuss their initial projects and the disruptions caused by COVID-19, which led to shifts in their work approach. They share insights on the growth of the IDEMS team, the challenges faced, and Santiago’s personal experiences transitioning between roles within the organisation and as a school teacher. The conversation highlights adaptability, and the ongoing mission to foster positive social impact through local innovation.

In this special New Year's edition of the IDEMS podcast, David, Lucie, Lily, and Santiago reflect on a year of episodes. They discuss the challenges and rewards of recording, their focus on complex and transparent discussions, and the podcast's role within IDEMS’ broader work. Looking ahead, they explore ideas for involving more team members and creating in-depth mini-series. The episode concludes with gratitude and appreciation for the collaboration and behind-the-scenes support, highlighting the podcast's multifaceted benefits.

In this episode, David and James discuss the intricacies of charitable giving within the Kenyan educational system. They share experiences about university scholarships, their impact, and challenges like 'tarmacking', graduates struggling to find their first employment opportunities. Emphasizing the need for strategic and collaborative funding, they explore how diverse initiatives, while beneficial, can create new issues. The conversation highlights the aspiration for a cohesive approach to educational support from early childhood to postgraduate levels to ensure sustainable impact.

In this festive episode of the IDEMS podcast, Lily and David discuss the theme of giving during the holiday season. They explore the impact of charitable initiatives like the Band Aid song and emphasize a balanced approach to giving, encouraging contributions both locally and globally while recognizing Africa's potential on the global stage.

IDEMS co-directors David Stern and Kate Fleming consider the concept of collective intelligence and its implications for society and technology. The discussion covers the relationship to artificial intelligence, misinformation, and how collective intelligence can be utilised to help address global issues like climate change and systemic problems by democratising and elevating diverse forms of expertise. By emphasising the role of marginalised communities in developing inclusive technology, collective intelligence can lead to better societal outcomes and more effective solutions.

Following a rare chance for in person meetings with most of the Research Methods Support team in West Africa, David and Lucie reflect on the team’s development and evolving role supporting researchers. We seem to be making concrete progress on our goal to nurture talent in West Africa.

In this episode, Lily and David celebrate and reflect on IDEMS International's recent International Impact Award 2024 win at the Social Enterprise UK Awards. They highlight the organisation's significant achievements, including the digitalisation of a parenting program trialled in Tanzania, demonstrating the potential for high impact at scale. The conversation underscores IDEMS' innovative approach to building technology for social impact, their collaborative work with local partners, and plans for future developments in regions like West Africa.

Lucie and David discuss their upcoming research methods workshops in West Africa under McKnight Foundation's Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems. Covering a decade of workshops, they consider the history and evolution of these training sessions, including the birth of R-Instat. They consider challenges during COVID-19, and emphasise the value of community building.

In this episode, Lily and David discuss the pros and cons of giving money directly to individuals versus using systemic approaches to address poverty. They highlight real-life examples where well-intentioned cash donations led to unintended negative consequences and explore the potential benefits and challenges of universal basic income. The conversation underscores the importance of context and thoughtful consideration in mitigating inequality.

In this episode, co-founding directors David Stern and Danny Parsons discuss the organization's approach to tackling grand challenges. They consider three core principles guiding their decision-making: sustainability through capacity building, scalability via community development, and systemic change by collaborating with institutions. Would it be a failure if IDEMS was no longer valuable?

Lucie and David continue their reflections on the recent Farmer Research Network convening held by the McKnight Foundation. They focus on the sharing of experiences between farmer research network representatives in West and East Africa, and their role as Research Methods Support to support those interactions and learnings.

IDEMS founding directors David Stern and Danny Parsons discuss the concept of impact activation and the potential for mathematicians to contribute to social impact projects. They consider specific ways in which the skills of mathematical scientists can be useful in these contexts, advocating for a pipeline to create more opportunities for those interested in this path.

In this episode of the IDEMS podcast, David talks with James Musyoka about their journey to revolutionise statistics education at Maseno University and beyond. They highlight the use of technology, overcoming access issues, and the importance of practical data work. They emphasise gradual change led by new educators and the critical need for interpretation skills in teaching statistics.

In this episode, Lily and David Stern consider IDEMS’ relationship to transparency. They discuss the challenges and ethical considerations in sharing data, and the importance of balancing transparency with the need for privacy and protection against potential harm.

David and Lucie reflect on outcomes of the recent Farmer Research Network (FRN) convening led by the McKnight Foundation’s Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems programme. Bringing together researchers, farmers, NGOs and other stakeholders in agroecology from four continents, the four day convening was rich in learnings.

Lily and David consider the concept of “wicked problems” (sometimes referred to as “grand challenges”): those problems that are inherently unsolvable and require continuous incremental improvements. In a wide-ranging conversation, they touch on the importance of imagination in envisioning positive futures and the role of different contexts in shaping educational outcomes.