The Research Team in Applied Mathematics and Social Sciences (or Équipe de Recherche en Mathématiques Appliquées et Sciences Sociales, ERMASS) is one of the research laboratories housed in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Yaoundé I (UYI). ERMASS was founded in 1977 by Professor Joël MOULEN (September 2, 1936 – September 17, 2018).

Research Domain

Members of ERMASS study issues that span the fields of voting and decision theory. Voting theory is a multidisciplinary field linked to the themes of mathematics, economics, and politics. This theory aims to study and analyze how combining individual opinions can, at the collective level, lead to a ranking of choices or a single decision. Decision options are more than voting theory and are concerned with the reasoning underlying the agent's choices, whether this is a mundane choice between taking the bus or getting a cab, getting married or staying single, purchasing a beer or a bottle of water or a more far-reaching option about whether to pursue a specific career. ``Agent" stands for an entity, usually a person, capable of deliberation and action. Decision theory examines the beliefs, desires, and other relevant attitudes that collectively influence agents' decisions, enabling them to make informed choices. ERMASS aims to diversify its research portfolio by collaborating with academics and practitioners interested in different applied mathematics and social sciences subfields. In line with this objective and the mission of the University of Yaoundé I, the core vision of the research team is to train the next generation of leaders and academics who will develop innovative ideas and tools for a better society.

Research Activities

ERMASS hosts a monthly seminar series where members and invited speakers disseminate their research outcomes. Members can attend these webinars either in person or online via Zoom. ERMASS also hosts annual conferences that gather young, early-career, and senior local African scholars, as well as those from the Diaspora and overseas, to share, create, and expand knowledge for fruitful and prosperous human capital development —a critical input for a sustained and inclusive partnership between the African Continent and the world. ERMASS hopes that participants in these scientific gatherings will acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge to address the development issues in sub-Saharan Africa. Past annual conferences were sponsored by Princeton University (USA), the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (USA), the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France, the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, École Normale Supérieure of Yaoundé (ENSY) in Cameroon, the Systems Analysis and Modeling Laboratory for Decision Support (or Laboratoire d'Analyse et de Modélisation de Systèmes pour l'Aide à la Décision) at the University of Paris Dauphine in France, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Cameroon, and Afrikland First Bank in Cameroon. With the continuing support of past and new partners and sponsors, ERMASS hopes to place science at the forefront of policy and economic decisions.