Celebrating a year of impact: IIASA highlights in 2024

2024 marked the beginning of a new chapter for IIASA with the appointment of a new management team. Under their guidance, the Institute has continued to expand its influence, with several talented individuals receiving prestigious awards and accolades.

IIASA continued to strengthen its engagement with its member countries, building even closer collaborations with member organizations, research institutions, and other stakeholders around the world. Delegations and ambassadors from various countries, including among others, the United States, Vietnam, and several Latin American countries, visited the IIASA headquarters in Laxenburg, Austria. IIASA staff also visited members in their home countries, such as Botswana to attend an event by IIASA’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organization (SSARMO), and China, Korea and Vietnam to strengthen ties and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The continued involvement of our member countries is essential to the success of IIASA’s mission, and these high-level interactions have reinforced IIASA’s commitment to serving as a hub for international collaboration and science-based solutions.

As a further testament to the quality and relevance of the Institute’s research output, research contributions from IIASA were cited in 970 policy documents in 36 countries over the course of 2024 according to the Overton database.

One of the standout moments of 2024 was the first-ever IIASA Interaction Festival, which brought together the IIASA community for inspiring discussions on tackling the world's most pressing challenges. The festival fostered new connections and ideas, demonstrating IIASA's commitment to making science more accessible and impactful.

Additionally, the IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program continued to provide early-career researchers with unique opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary projects and gain invaluable experience. The program’s success in fostering the next generation of leaders in systems analysis supports IIASA's ongoing investment in science and education.

This year also saw the launch of a few exciting new initiatives aimed at engaging younger audiences and encouraging climate action. The IIASA Climate Champions initiative, along with a new program comprising visits by pupils from local schools, and the introduction of IIASA’s first Summer School, empowers students and young people to better understand the science of sustainability and systems science, and how they can contribute to addressing global challenges.

We invite you to watch our year-end video to discover more about these milestones and the continued impact of IIASA’s work across the world. From new programs and partnerships to the recognition of our talented staff, it's been a year to remember—and we’re just getting started! We wish everyone in the wider IIASA network a wonderful festive season and a great start to 2025.