2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/33704We show that the scalar-tensor $σ$-model action is conformally equivalent to general relativity with a minimally coupled wavemap with a particular target metric. Inflation on the source manifold is then shown to occur in a natural way due both to the arbitrary curvature couplings and the wavemap self-interactions.Research announcement, 2 pages, submitted for publication in the MG9 ProceedingsGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmologytext