Support Impact-Enabling Innovation
Invest in IDEMS
 
The IDEMS Podcast
Conversations about impact and innovation. Listen twice weekly.
Spotify | YouTube | Apple | RSS
 
IDEMS is a leader in the responsible use of AI.
Sign up for our original Responsible AI programs:
Responsible AI for Lecturers and Responsible AI for Enterprise

Support Impact-Enabling Innovation

Invest in IDEMS

Winner of the UK Social Enterprise

2024 International Impact Award

Search the Archive

    Filter Label

    • All Posts
    • RAILect
    • The IDEMS French Podcast
    • The IDEMS Podcast
    • The IDEMS Podcast (unused)
    • The IDEMS Principle

    155 – Agroecological Possibilities of Solar Panels

    May 6, 2025

    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…

    Listen

    154 – Fuma Gaskyia and Human Urine Fertiliser

    May 2, 2025

    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…

    Listen

    153 – Paving the Road for Biological Pest Control in Niger

    April 29, 2025

    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…

    Listen

    152 – Types of Graphs

    April 25, 2025

    In this episode, Lily and David explore different types of graphs and their uses in data visualisation. They discuss how to categorise visualisations for quick data checks, detailed interpretation, and effective presentations, emphasising the importance of tailoring graphs to the…

    Listen

    151 – Data Variability

    April 22, 2025

    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,…

    Listen

    150 – Building Impactful Teams in West Africa

    April 18, 2025

    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…

    Listen

    149 – Battling Millet Head Miners in Niger

    April 15, 2025

    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…

    Listen
    Load More

    End of Content.

    Impact Area
    IDEMS Domain
    Sociotechnical Innovation

    127 – Scalable Solutions vs Individual Impact in Education

    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.

    126 – Mathematics in Africa: Stories of Success

    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.

    125 – AI Summaries

    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.

    124 – Communities and Development

    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.

    123 – Unpacking the Question, “Why don’t we just give money?”

    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.

    122 – Technology in Secondary Education

    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.

    121 – Reflections on Research Methods Support (RMS) Workshops

    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.

    120 – Reflections on Past and Future New Years

    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.

    119 – The New Year’s Special

    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.

    118 – Festive Special: Another Perspective on Giving

    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.

    117 – Festive Special: Giving

    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.

    116 – Collective Intelligence

    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.
    Load More