June marks the final and most anticipated month of the CAnD3 training program. Leading the way is our Annual Keynote Address, a capstone event celebrating research excellence and community. It will be followed by the Dragon’s Den finals, where Fellows will showcase data-driven solutions developed over the course of their training.
As we bring the year to an end, we sat down with two of our current fellows, Ian Van Haren and Bédel Tsafack, for this final edition of the Fellows Feature 2024–2025 series. They shared pivotal experiences that shaped their research, the work they’re most proud of, and how the CAnD3 program has enriched their academic and professional journey.
Ian Van Haren
Ian, could you take us back to a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey? And how has your time in the CAnD3 program supported your research goals?
A few years ago, I was preparing a questionnaire to use for semi-structured interviews for my dissertation research. My research focused on individuals involved who sponsor refugees, and I was interested in their opinions of migration policies. Jan Doering, then a professor at McGill, encouraged me to focus my questions on the actions people take rather than their opinions.
As I am currently working on finishing my dissertation, I appreciate his advice, as adopting this approach has provided clear insights into what sociologist Gabriel Abend calls “what-makes-it-possible” questions. Studying actions provides clear insights into how everyday people and civil society organizations engage with public policy.
That’s a powerful shift in perspective. It’s great to hear how the program helped you connect those ideas with practical skills. Now, could you tell us about a recent project you’re especially proud of?
In 2023, I worked with colleagues on a submission to the Government of Quebec about improving Quebec’s refugee sponsorship program. At the time, I was the Executive Director of Action Réfugiés Montréal, a non-profit focused on justice and compassion for individuals seeking protection in Canada. We presented our recommendations at the National Assembly and answered questions from Quebec’s Minister of Immigration and other Members of the National Assembly. This required significant preparation, but I enjoyed speaking directly to politicians about an issue I am passionate about.
It’s inspiring to see that kind of direct policy engagement. What’s something that might surprise people about you outside academia?
Before starting my PhD, I had the opportunity to live and work in the UK, Lebanon, and South Africa. I took advantage of this and travelled to many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Southern Africa. Whether at home or travelling, I love going for walks, hiking, and biking.
If you could have dinner with any researcher, who would it be?
Since I can choose someone from the past, I would love to have a conversation with Ibn Khaldoun, a 14th century philosopher and social scientist from the Arab world. I would ask him about his observations and views on history and social structure and, assuming he can also observe the present world, discuss his views on contemporary society.
Bédel Tsafack
Bédel, what was a defining moment that influenced your research direction? And how has your time in the CAnD3 program supported your research goals?
It happened during my Master’s fieldwork in Demography at Institut de Formation et de Recherche Démographiques (IFORD). I was conducting research in Cameroon’s Centre region and witnessed how delayed rains severely impacted local farmers. That year, the rains arrived two months late, forcing many to replant crops, only to face poor harvests anyway. It was a clear example of how climate change disrupts livelihoods.
That experience sparked my doctoral focus on climate-induced internal migration. When I discovered CAnD3, I immediately saw the value of joining a program that brings together data science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy impact. Conversations with alumni like Avelin Péguy Angos (2022-23) and Exaucé Ngadandé (2022-23) further convinced me I was in the right place.
It’s amazing how directly your research connects to real experiences in the field. If you could design your dream project using CAnD3 resources, what would it be?
I’d love to build an interactive visualization platform that maps internal migration in Africa using real-time climate, demographic, and socioeconomic data. It would help researchers and policymakers track the effects of environmental shocks, like drought or vegetation loss, on population movements.
I also see a North American version: a tool that visualizes urban heatwave impacts on vulnerable populations, showing hospital and cooling center capacities in real time. These kinds of tools, supported by CAnD3’s expertise, can turn research into action.
That’s a compelling vision—both practical and timely. Can you share a recent project or publication you’re proud of?
I am currently finalizing the article “Migration and Attractiveness: The Impact of Spatial Variations in Climate and Environmental Change on Destination Choice in an Agro-Ecological Approach in Kenya,” which I presented at the ADQ 2025 Colloquium and plan to present at the International Population Conference (IPC 2025).
The article examines how recent and historical climatic and environmental variations in destination areas influence the destination choices of internal migrants in Kenya, depending on their agro-ecological zone. The technical challenge lay in building a conditional logit model using environmental data from satellite imagery and complex demographic data—but the result offers valuable insight into the differential migration behavior of individuals facing climate vulnerability.
I also co-authored “Immigrants as Drivers of Research and Development in Firms? The Canadian Experience” with Nong Zhu (my research supervisor) and Jianwei Zhong. The article was published in Canadian Ethnic Studies and shows how international graduates and immigrant business owners make strong contributions to Research and Development (R&D) in Canada.
What helps you unwind and spark creativity outside work?
I find a lot of peace in walking through parks—observing people, nature, quiet interactions. These walks are more than a break; they’re a form of meditation that often leads to new ideas. I’m a bit of a homebody, but I thrive on these quiet escapes into the world around me.
And if you could have dinner with any researcher—past or present—who would it be?
I’d choose Emmanuel Letouzé, founder of Data-Pop Alliance. His work at the intersection of big data, ethics, and development is incredibly inspiring. I’d ask him: “How can we ensure social justice in predictive algorithms used on vulnerable populations, without compromising accuracy or innovation?” That balance between ethics and technical excellence is central to my work.
As we approach the final events of the CAnD3 program, Ian and Bédel remind us that rigorous research is most powerful when it’s grounded in real-world experience, ethical reflection, and a desire to serve. Whether through refugee advocacy or climate-focused migration data, they embody the program’s mission: transforming data into action for a better world.
