The IDEMS Podcast

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.

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 international ways of working. The conversation highlights the resilience of the COP and the deeper insights gained from engaging with complex, real-world environments.

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 conference to act as a catalyst for future developments.

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 long-term vision of using more holistic models to inform better public health decisions.