Options Magazine, Summer 2023: IIASA Network and Alumni Officer Monika Bauer brings together the global network of IIASA staff, alumni, and National and Regional Member Organizations. She is responsible for the online community platform IIASA Connect and is also the co-president of the IIASA Women in Science Club (WISC).
How do you manage, follow, and speak with a research network of more than 400 scientists, representatives from 22 National and Regional Member Organizations, and over 700 collaborating institutions?
© M Silver | IIASA
Creating meaningful connections has always been at the core of my role. There is so much amazing scientific work being done, and as the IIASA network and alumni officer, I try to build on that to determine how I can make a purposeful impact, and how colleagues can benefit from being part of the IIASA network.
Establishing professional connections, bringing together regional communities, and creating opportunities for mid- and early-career researchers are some of my key aims. I follow my colleagues’ work, sit down and talk to them – not only in person, but also on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. I strive to build connections that make sense strategically and where all parties benefit, for example, finding speakers for events or referring colleagues to open calls. It is about creating opportunities for people on all levels. As co-president of WISC, I am also conscious about being inclusive in terms of diversity – not just gender, but also diversity of nationality, research area, and age.
How did your role evolve, considering the increase of new technologies and communication channels such as social media?
My role has changed significantly since I started in 2009. Back then, there was no electronic database of IIASA alumni. I started building Excel lists by talking to different departments, research programs, and other stakeholders within the IIASA network. This led to an electronic catalogue of alumni. Platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter were – and still are – great tools to connect, however, these platforms are limited. Also, an electronic list of alumni saved somewhere does not provide the opportunity for members to directly connect with others. After looking at various alumni software options, I developed IIASA Connect through the community management and engagement platform, Hivebrite. It gives users full and direct access to alumni, staff, member collaborators, diplomatic partners, policymakers, and visiting fellows. IIASA Connect members can look up and search for collaborators on a virtual map. This allowed us to visualize the IIASA network and for the first time make it tangible to those who are part of it, including the IIASA National and Regional Member Organizations.
What do you enjoy most about working at IIASA?
I enjoy supporting the incredible work our colleagues are doing, connecting people in meaningful ways, and building partnerships. It goes back to the quote “science is not finished until it is communicated” – and as part of the Communications and External Relations Department, I find this to be a motivational work mantra.
By Bettina Greenwell