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PODCAST

The IDEMS Podcast

IDEMS International

Stories from a social enterprise that uses mathematical sciences in impact-oriented work around the world. Our experiences range from helping some of the world"s poorest farmers get value from data, to enabling academics to use AI responsibly in their teaching. We never know what our next task will be but the last 6 years have shown that it is likely to lead to a story.

science mathematics

All Episodes

32:52

158 – Innovative MSc Programme for Maths Teachers in...

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/05/16

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.

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21:44

155 – Agroecological Possibilities of Solar Panels

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/05/06

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.

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27:52

153 – Paving the Road for Biological Pest Control in...

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/04/29

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.

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21:25

152 – Types of Graphs

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/04/25

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.

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28:24

150 – Building Impactful Teams in West Africa

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/04/18

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.

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25:18

149 – Battling Millet Head Miners in Niger

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/04/15

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.

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31:10

147 – Cultivating Change: Local Solutions for Nutrition

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/04/08

In this episode, David speaks with Moustafa 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.

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27:43

143 – The Impact Activation Book

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/03/25

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.

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22:04

140 – Electronic Maths Textbooks in Kenya

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/03/14

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

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22:19

139 – Scaling the Maths Camps

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/03/11

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.

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24:16

133 – Schooling and Alternative Education Systems

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/02/18

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.

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19:23

132 – Paris AI Action Summit

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/02/14

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.

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24:05

131 – USAID Revisited

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/02/11

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.

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28:43

127 – Scalable Solutions vs Individual Impact in...

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/01/28

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.

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26:59

123 – Unpacking the Question, “Why don’t we just give...

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/01/14

In this follow-up to Episode 112, Lucie 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.

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29:01

122 – Technology in Secondary Education

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/01/10

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.

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33:52

121 – Reflections on Research Methods Support (RMS)...

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/01/07

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

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19:03

120 – Reflections on Past and Future New Years

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2025/01/03

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

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22:14

119 – The New Year’s Special

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2024/12/31

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

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23:24

118 – Festive Special: Another Perspective on Giving

The IDEMS Podcast ·

2024/12/27

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

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102 results

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