Podcast: The IDEMS Podcast

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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,…