CNRS-Africa cooperation: launch of a new Joint Research Programme in mathematics

Sustainable scientific cooperation with Africa

The multi-year plan for collaboration between the CNRS and Africa, launched in 2022, aims to establish scientific partnerships based on co-construction, equity and long-term cooperation. To achieve this, it relies on three funding mechanisms, specifically designed to support the implementation of the plan at different levels of ambition: JointResearch Programmes (JRP), ResidentialResearch Schools (RSS) and Visiting Fellowships (VF).

Joint Research Programmes (JRP) are four-year research programmes on a variety of themes, designed to structure existing collaborations and meet training needs. At the time of the first selection of projects, the “CNRS-AIMS Chair in Mathematics”, headed by Ludovic Rifford, had given concrete expression to years of collaboration between France and the African continent. A new mathematics project was selected this year: FANE-MATH-PE.

A multidisciplinary project to meet the challenges of climate change

With a strong focus on interdisciplinarity, the FANE-MATH-PE project brings together specialists in applied mathematics, physics, ecology, biology and biotechnology, with the aim of developing mathematical and numerical models capable of tackling complex issues as diverse as climate change, ocean resource management and the prevention and control of epidemics and cancers. Led by Sophie Dabo, research professor at the Paul Painlevé laboratory1 , and Professor Patrick Tchepmo Djomegni (North-West University, South Africa), this network project brings together scientists from leading European, African and American institutions, paving the way for the creation of a sustainable research network between France, the African continent and the rest of the world.

• 1CNRS/Université de Lille/Inria

Interview with Sophie-Dabo

Why did you decide to present a project? What motivated you?

My main motivation is to strengthen scientific and academic collaborations with developing countries, particularly in Africa. These collaborations enable us not only to share knowledge and skills, but also to contribute to the development of innovative solutions to the specific challenges facing these regions. By working hand-in-hand with African researchers and institutions, I aim to promote inclusive and sustainable research, while facilitating the emergence of African scientific talent and the creation of international networks that will enhance the overall impact of research projects. This mutually beneficial partnership aims to foster the co-construction of knowledge while respecting local specificities and responding to the needs of the societies concerned.

Did you already have any ongoing collaborations with the mathematical community in Africa?

I have various collaborations with the African community. In 2005, I started making annual visits to Senegal for teaching and research collaboration, which then extended to other African countries. I joined various national and international societies and associations such as CIMPA, European Mathematical Society, International Mathematical Union, African Women in Mathematics and Femmes et Mathématiques.

I joined CIMPA as an individual member in 2017 after co-organizing a CIMPA school. I was CIMPA scientific officer from 2018 to 2023. Over the past 20 years, I have combined teaching, scientific research and administrative responsibilities at national and international levels. I chaired the EMS-CDC from 2019 to 2022, having co-chaired it in 2018.

I was involved in a wide range of activities related to the development of teaching, research and international cooperation within the University of Lille 3, now the University of Lille, as well as with African, French and international universities and learned societies, particularly in developing countries. I then set up numerous training and research cooperation projects between several countries, such as Franco-Moroccan cooperation projects in sustainable environmental economics and Franco-Senegalese cooperation projects in data science and fisheries resources.

I have taught and mentored numerous master's students and 12 PhD students from Africa, and set up a double degree program, the first double master's in data science between the universities of Dakar and Lille, from 2017 to the present. In 2010, I introduced large-scale spatial data science research themes “Spatio-Functional Statistics” in West and North Africa through PhD theses, training courses and research schools. I have led several scientific mathematical events around the world, particularly in developing countries.

My deep commitment to promoting mathematics and supporting women in mathematics is demonstrated through initiatives such as the “Filles et Sciences” days in Senegal and the creation of the Association Sénégalaise des Femmes Mathématiciennes (SWMA) with colleagues. I am currently treasurer of African Women in Mathematics and Femmes et Maths.

Can you tell us about the FANE-MATH-PE project?

FANE-MATH-PE aims to develop advanced mathematical, numerical and artificial intelligence models to tackle global challenges such as climate change, ocean resource management, and the prevention and control of respiratory diseases, epidemics and cancers. The initiative seeks to create a sustainable, multidisciplinary network of researchers from a variety of fields, involving key institutions in France, Africa and around the world.

What will this funding enable you to do?

The project funding will enable us to implement concrete actions to strengthen collaborations with Africa. This includes the organization of scientific events, the mobility of researchers and doctoral students between partner institutions, and doctoral training. This financial support is important to create learning and research opportunities for young African scientists, while offering them a framework for collaboration with international experts. The inclusion of women is an essential aspect of the project.

What do you hope to achieve with this project?

With the project, we aim to achieve several objectives:

1. Strengthen local skills: Train a new generation of African researchers and teacher-researchers in strategic areas of applied mathematics.
2. Develop collaborative research: Encourage collaborative research between France, the African continent and other regions, particularly on themes linked to local issues (climate change, natural resource management, etc.).
3. Create a sustainable network: Establish a long-term exchange network between African, French and international universities, fostering scientific excellence and knowledge sharing.
4. Reinforce the inclusion of women in mathematics: we will set up initiatives aimed at combating gender inequalities, such as specific scholarship programs, leadership workshops for women, or networks of female researchers. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where women's skills are fully recognized and valued, and where they can contribute, on an equal footing, to the world's major scientific challenges. In this context, we have recently published the articles Aspects of the gender gap in mathematics and An analysis of the gender gap among African scientists, and set up a web page.

In the near future, the project leaders are planning a number of actions to consolidate these relationships with Africa. In 2025, several major events will take place in South Africa, Canada and Ghana, the idea being to organize a workshop for African women mathematicians in collaboration with various French, African and worldwide associations of women mathematicians. Another priority is to finance the participation of young African men and women in international conferences. Thesis and post-doctorate projects are due to begin shortly. Finally, FANE-MATh-PE hopes to launch an exchange program to enable African students and researchers to come and work in partner laboratories abroad, and vice versa. Two start-up projects are also underway, one in collaboration with Inria, via the Start-up Studio program, for air quality monitoring in Africa, and the other for cancer prevention and screening.