Blog | IIASA

The blog is an informal outlet for IIASA researchers and the wider IIASA global network to share their research, insights, and perspectives. It does not necessarily represent the official views or position of the institute.

Communicating ideas. Cogs in the shape of two faces on either side of a lightbulb

25 October 2023

Communicating science into policy

The most recent instalment of the IIASA Connect Coffee Talk series brought together the institute’s Communications Manager Ansa Heyl, the Head of Communications for the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission (SAPEA) Toby Wardman, and a participant in the North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Center (NAASAC) Mai Mostafa Awad to discuss their experiences in communicating science to inform policy.

Network Science into Policy

Chocolate balls connected in a network structure

09 October 2023

Chocolate, systems thinking, and tomorrow's global citizens

Using the journey of chocolate, from the sun-drenched cocoa plantations to the sweet bars that we all know and love, IIASA researchers Ali Kharrazi and Zuelclady Araujo Gutierrez recently guided a group of young learners through the practical applications of systems thinking and life-cycle analysis in our everyday lives.

Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Systemic Risk and Resilience (SYRR) Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Integrated Biosphere Futures (IBF)

29 September 2023

Reshaping the local frontiers of farming and biodiversity

Managing land for agriculture has shaped civilization, but it has also led to biodiversity decline and other problems that today threaten the future of humanity. The EU Horizon 2020 FRAMEwork project is supporting a transition to biodiversity sensitive farming by uniting farmer clusters and citizen observatories to protect sensitive ecosystems while ensuring food security.

Network Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) Austria Luxembourg United Kingdom

Colorful paper-people cutouts holding hands

19 September 2023

Engaging communities in resilience planning: Insights from the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance learning event

IIASA researchers Teresa Deubelli-Hwang and Jung Hee Hyun share insights from a decade of collaborating on fostering flood resilience in communities around the world following a recent Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance learning event.

Network Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Systemic Risk and Resilience (SYRR) Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Equity and Justice (EQU) India Indonesia Philippines

Black and white view from one side of the wall of famous Gariep Dam near Norvalspont in South Africa with open spillway and picturesque landscape in the background.

08 September 2023

Climate change will affect hydropower – African countries must be prepared

Africa has great potential for the implementation of hydropower, but there are political and environmental concerns that planners must consider if they want to ensure a more reliable power supply for their citizens. IIASA researcher Giacomo Falchetta delved into this issue in an article recently published on The Conversation.

Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Integrated Assessment and Climate Change (IACC) Postdoc

11 August 2023

A collaborative journey towards sustainable solutions

Reihaneh Bandari writes about how a collaborative team from Deakin University, Monash University, and local community members tackled water resource decline and agricultural challenges in the Goulburn-Murray region of Australia using co-production principles to set the stage for lasting dialogue and local solutions.

07 August 2023

Unveiling complexity through systems analysis

Mai Awad reflects on her participation in the North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Center (NAASAC) Applied Systems Analysis Diploma and how this has transformed her mindset around how systems thinking can empower decision makers to tackle complex global challenges and design impactful policy solutions for a better tomorrow.

Network Science Diplomacy Science into Policy Egypt

Elderly gentleman in white shirt having difficulties with extreme heat, high temperature, wiping sweat from face

31 July 2023

Extreme heat is particularly hard on older adults – an aging population and climate change put ever more people at risk

Scorching temperatures have put millions of Americans in danger this summer, with heat extremes stretching from coast to coast in the Southern US. IIASA researcher Giacomo Falcetta and colleagues from Boston University looked into this issue in an article recently published on The Conversation.

Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Integrated Assessment and Climate Change (IACC) Postdoc United States of America

Internet information technology conceptual image with data transmission and processing over a world map.

24 July 2023

Rethinking AI: from geopolitical chessboard to shared commons

2023 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program participant, Jalal Awan, explains how reframing artificial intelligence as a common good co-created by global users and stakeholders could help harness its transformative power for the benefit of all.

Network Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) YSSP United States of America

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