ASA Program aims to discover, develop, and deploy new, more effective, and efficient ways of infusing systems science into policy and decision making for sustainable development.
Despite numerous success stories, many policies and decisions that currently aim to deal with global change are not sufficiently informed by cutting-edge science. Among the major barriers that prevent the effective input of science into policy are perceived shortfalls in agility, realism, and relevance of the current generation of methods and models from the standpoint of end users. To address these barriers, ASA strives to advance agile, realistic, and relevant systems analytical tools and methods, and facilitate a shared understanding of the capabilities and limits of these tools and methods with end users. Consequently, ASA’s efforts span the full range, from advancing research methods and tools of systems analysis to innovating at the interface between policy- and decision making, as well as with society at large.
ASA Program’s major objectives are:
- To innovate approaches and tools to analyze increasingly systemic, social-ecological risks and support decisions aimed at enhancing resilience and facilitating sustainability transitions and transformations.
- To further the capacity of agile, on-demand systems analysis underpinned by a suite of modeling frameworks of appropriate complexity.
- To mobilize multiple sources of data and the power of data science to diagnose and identify solutions to reduce vulnerabilities and risks.
- To advance feasible and effective ways of engagement with policymakers, the private sector, and citizens.
- To enhance trust and shared understanding of systems analysis methods and tools, in particular, through open science.
Projects
Open-Earth-Monitor Cyberinfrastructure (OEMC)
Transformations within Reach (TwR-II)
Staff
Tapio Palokangas
Guest Research Scholar (SYRR)
Avi Yosipof
Guest Research Scholar (CAT)
Elena Rovenskaya
Program Director and Principal Research Scholar (ASA)
Elisabeth Preihs
Program and Project Officer (SYRR)
News
13 January 2025
Carbon Farming for Kazakhstan and the Asian Drylands Belt discussed at COP29
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) provided a global stage for advancing carbon farming initiatives in Kazakhstan, a country uniquely positioned to drive nature-based climate solutions in the Asian Drylands Belt (ADB). The side event, titled “Carbon Farming in Kazakhstan: Unlocking the Opportunity,” was held at the QAZAQSTAN Pavilion in Baku, co-organized by IIASA, the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, the Center for Applied Research TALAP, and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
18 December 2024
Celebrating a year of impact: IIASA highlights in 2024
IIASA proudly looks back on another successful year. Our year-end video showcases some of the milestones that have shaped IIASA's growth and impact in the global scientific community.
16 December 2024
The collaborative power of AI and citizen science in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
Citizen science and artificial intelligence (AI) offer immense potential for tackling urgent sustainability challenges, from health to climate change. Combined, they offer innovative solutions to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IIASA researchers explored the synergies between citizen science and AI, specifically highlighting how the integration of citizen science data and approaches into AI can enhance sustainable development monitoring and achievement while mitigating AI risks.
Events
IIASA, Gvishiani Room
IIASA workshop on Finance for Climate Loss and Damage
Washington, D.C.
NODES at the American Geographical Union’s 2024 annual meeting
Focus
18 November 2024
Leveraging social media intelligence for disaster risk management: a game-changer in real-time response
Social media intelligence mining is transforming disaster risk management. A new cutting-edge tool developed by IIASA researchers provides real-time insights from platforms like X and Google, enhancing rapid response during and after disasters, resource distribution, and effective crisis communication to better safeguard communities.
13 November 2024
COP29: Loss and Damage funding has to be at core of new climate finance regime
The focus of the ongoing COP is to decide on a new finance regime. Major polluters will be asked to massively increase their financial contributions to developing nations. Researchers from IIASA and CMCC show that Loss and Damage needs of vulnerable countries range between roughly 130 and 940 billion Dollars in 2025 alone. On top of money for mitigation and adaptation.
Publications
Elroy, O., Woo, G., Komendantova, N. , & Yosipof, A. (2025). A dual-focus analysis of wikipedia traffic and linguistic patterns in public risk awareness Post-Charlie Hebdo. Computers in Human Behavior Reports 17 e100580. 10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100580. Strelkovskii, N. & Komendantova, N. (2025). Integration of UN sustainable development goals in national hydrogen strategies: A text analysis approach. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 102 1282-1294. 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.01.134. Arjomandi, P., Yazdanpanah, M., Zobeidi, T., Komendantova, N. , & Shirzad, A. (2025). Place attachment, activation of personal norms, and the role of emotions to save water in scarcity. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 25 e100567. 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100567. Zisopoulos, F.K., Fath, B. , Tong, X., & de Jong, M. (2025). Network properties of the global waste trade. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators 25 e100550. 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100550.