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    184 – Twenty Years of RMS for CRFS: Controls

    August 15, 2025

    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…

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    183 – Using AI for Qualitative Analysis

    August 12, 2025

    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…

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    182 – Twenty Years of RMS for CRFS: Levels of Variability

    August 8, 2025

    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…

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    181 – Tricot Participatory Breeding Trials

    August 5, 2025

    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…

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    180 – Twenty Years of RMS for CRFS: On-Farm Agricultural Trials

    August 1, 2025

    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…

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    179 – Challenging the Dead Internet Theory

    July 29, 2025

    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…

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    178 – Twenty Years of RMS for CRFS: On-Station Agricultural Trials

    July 25, 2025

    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 emphasises the importance of clear objectives and balancing statistical rigour with practical…

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    177 – Mathematical Modelling vs Statistical Modelling

    July 22, 2025

    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…

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    Impact Area
    IDEMS Domain
    Sociotechnical Innovation

    163 – Rethinking Statistics Education

    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.

    162 – The Origins of the Food Innovation Centres in West Africa

    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.

    161 – Tool Agnosticism in Modern Education

    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.

    160 – Developing Modelling Courses for the Maths Innovations MSc

    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.

    159 – Innovative MSc Programme for Maths Teachers in Kenya, Part 4

    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.

    158 – Innovative MSc Programme for Maths Teachers in Kenya, Part 3

    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.

    157 – Innovative MSc Programme for Maths Teachers in Kenya, Part 2

    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.

    156 – Innovative MSc Programme for Maths Teachers in Kenya, Part 1

    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.

    155 – Agroecological Possibilities of Solar Panels

    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.

    154 – Fuma Gaskyia and Human Urine Fertiliser

    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.

    153 – Paving the Road for Biological Pest Control in Niger

    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.

    152 – Types of Graphs

    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 audience. 
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