Podcast: The IDEMS Podcast

Michele and David discuss the development of facilitator apps within the Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) ecosystem, exploring how these tools support facilitators delivering parenting programmes in diverse contexts. They reflect on the growing role of adaptable digital tools for reporting, monitoring, and programme delivery, and discuss the wider opportunities these technologies create for scalable…

Santiago and David discuss the emergence of STACK question authoring as a growing area of work within IDEMS. They reflect on the value of cross-institution collaboration, the role of formative assessment and feedback in mathematics education, and how expertise developed across diverse educational contexts can support universities internationally.

David and Digital Green CEO Rikin Gandhi discuss the intersection of farmer research networks, participatory agricultural research, and AI-enabled extension systems. They explore how tools like Farmer Chat could support large-scale, farmer-led experimentation by combining rich qualitative data with rigorous research design. The conversation highlights the potential for more collaborative, context-sensitive agricultural systems that place…

Lucie and David discuss the upcoming Pan-African workshop on community-owned digital technologies, exploring its origins in a broader call for more locally grounded tech development. They reflect on the challenges of bringing together diverse participants—from developers to community organisations—and the importance of designing technology that genuinely serves community needs.

Lily and David discuss the AIMS Rwanda doctoral course on problem solving in data science, reflecting on how participants engage with complex simulated datasets. They explore the challenges students face in identifying underlying models, the limitations of relying on AI tools, and the importance of interpretation and human insight in data analysis. The conversation highlights…

Lucie and David reflect on key moments from the 20th anniversary celebration of the West Africa Community of Practice (COP), focusing on the activities and discussions that shaped the week. They explore the innovation fair, engagement with policymakers, and participatory sessions reflecting on the past and future of the COP.

Lucie and David reflect on the 20th anniversary celebration of the West Africa Community of Practice (COP) in Niger, focusing on the broader context in which it took place. They discuss the practical and geopolitical challenges of working in the region, the importance of in-person engagement for building trust, and the contrasts between local and…

Santiago and David discuss the organisation of the 2026 International STACK Conference, marking the first time the event is held outside Europe. They reflect on its expanded format, emphasis on workshops and inclusivity, and the growing global reach of the STACK community. The conversation also highlights capacity building, new collaborations, and the potential for the…

George and David explore how the PBDM modelling approach could extend beyond agroecology into public health and epidemiology. They discuss similarities and differences between modelling ecosystems and disease systems, the potential for compositional frameworks to connect models across scales, and the broader opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. The conversation highlights both the conceptual challenges and the…

George and David discuss the next phase of work on Physiologically Based Demographic Modelling (PBDM), focusing on efforts to scale its application in agroecological systems in West Africa. They explore the challenges of building and deploying complex ecosystem models, the interdisciplinary collaboration required, and the long-term vision of integrating deterministic models with responsible AI to…