The IDEMS Podcast
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© 2023 IDEMS International
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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.
190 Episodes
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As part of their continuing conversations around research methods for agriculture, Lucie and Roger discuss the utility of conducting research trials over multiple years. They consider the importance of understanding climate variability, and the value of pilot experiments as well as the implications of adapting research methods based on initial findings and the benefits of engaging farmers extensively in the research process.
How do we understand the material living conditions of people on Earth today? In this episode of the IDEMS podcast, Lily and David discuss the influential book “Factfulness” by Hans Rosling. They explore Rosling's key concepts about global development, particularly the categorisation of the world into four income levels instead of the binary “developing” and “developed” terms.
Social impact scientist and anthropologist Lucie Hazelgrove Planel joins Roger Stern to discuss the intricate process of designing agricultural experiments. Using a real-world example involving 10 maize varieties and a field with 12 plots, they explore the challenges of fitting theoretical models to practical scenarios.
How do you present research data in a compelling way? In this episode, Lucie and David discuss the intricacies of creating impactful visualisations for projects. They consider the distinctions between descriptive, exploratory, and presentation graphs. They emphasise the importance of understanding your audience, whether it's scientific, agricultural, or policy-making, and how to adapt visualisations accordingly to tell compelling stories.
In order to collect research data, we need to take measurements. As part of their continuing conversations, Lucie and statistician Roger consider this critical topic of measurements in agricultural research. They explore various types of measurements, such as context measurements, objective-related measurements, and those that help explain variability, using examples from agricultural trials and anthropological studies. The conversation highlights the nuanced nature of collecting quality data and calls for thoughtful planning and pilot studies.
Santiago and David discuss recent advancements and challenges in educational technology, looking at the integration of the STACK electronic assessment system with the PreTeXt tool for textbook authoring. Reflecting on a successful African STACK Conference held in Ethiopia, they consider the broader impact of these innovations on education in Ethiopia and potentially other African countries, emphasising the importance of making technology accessible at the student, lecturer, and institution levels.
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 the importance of ethical considerations when using controls. Roger shares insights on how to make controls meaningful, how to adjust experiments based on intermediate findings, and the potential pitfalls of rigidly adhering to control rules.
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 Planel discuss the usage of generative AI in analysing qualitative data. They explore the ethical implications, the importance of context, and the challenge of addressing biases in AI-generated analyses, as well as the evolving intersection of AI with traditional qualitative research methods.
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 data in practice. Using an example of a student’s experiment on tadpoles, they illustrate key principles in determining appropriate experimental design and data analysis.
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 recent workshop aimed at simplifying this complex analysis using custom R packages and the R-Instat software.
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 process. They consider the innovative “Tricot” method, which tests multiple crop varieties with minimal control from researchers to increase real-world applicability.
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 complex nature of trust in institutions versus individuals. They also discuss the implications of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking in society.
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 emphasizes the importance of clear objectives and balancing statistical rigor with practical agricultural considerations.
statistical and mathematical modeling. They explore how each field approaches modeling, and touch on hybrid models that incorporate both statistical and mathematical elements, and the significance of uncertainty in modeling predictions.
In this episode, Lucie and Roger discuss planning agricultural research, highlighting on-station and on-farm trials. They emphasize integrating diverse data collection methods, farmer involvement, and balancing research design and farmer participation.
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 to a series of upcoming episodes that will delve into the program's history and learnings.
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 engaging pedagogical methods through a gradual, patient approach, aiming for sustained growth and effective collaboration.
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