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.

    Models, tools, datasets

    Overhead aerial view of city streets

    Earth Observation & Citizen Science (Geo-Wiki)

    Aerial of crops

    Picture Pile

    Projects

    Space satellite orbiting the earth

    Open-Earth-Monitor Cyberinfrastructure (OEMC)

    INQUIMUS conference 2022

    Transformations within Reach (TwR-II)

    Staff

    No image available

    Elena Moltchanova

    Guest Senior Research Scholar (NODES)

    Chayasmita Deka profile picture

    Chayasmita Deka

    Guest Research Assistant (CAT)

    Matthias Wildemeersch profile picture

    Matthias Wildemeersch

    Research Scholar (EM)

    Ulf Dieckmann profile picture

    Ulf Dieckmann

    Principal Research Scholar (EM, SYRR, CAT)

    News

    Beijing skyline

    29 November 2023

    Embracing Ecological Perspectives, Tools, and Models to Navigate the Digital Economy

    Digitalization has ushered in new markets worldwide and in BRICS countries. However, the concentration of market power and digital resources by only a handful of digital platform ecosystems (DPEs) has also triggered new governance challenges, particularly, for BRICS countries. As part of the dissemination process of the ECOANTITRUST initiative, Elena Rovenskaya delivered a presentation on the adoption of ecological insights and tools to improve understanding of the complex nature of digital platforms, their ecosystems, and their interactions with the wider economy.
    Red Fort, New Delhi, India

    29 November 2023

    Integrating Sustainability as a New Dimension for Competition Policy

    In the age of digitalization, the dominance of digital platform ecosystems (DPEs) extends beyond concentration of product markets, impacting not only economic dynamics but also exerting influence on the broader well-being of individuals including its social and environmental dimensions. As private incentives often supersede social responsibilities even for the most powerful DPEs, competition regulators face the challenge to incorporate a broader concept of wellbeing and sustainability into their activities.
    Interior of the Austrian National Library

    28 November 2023

    Promoting Effective Data Stewardship for Interdisciplinary Research in Austria

    Elena Rovenskaya, Program Director of Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) delivered a keynote presentation on the best practices, policies, and infrastructures being developed to promote open science in a interdisciplinary research context at the workshop organized by Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF).

    Events

    Focus

    Egypt highlighted in red on blue digital planet Earth with lines illustrating a global network.

    04 December 2023

    Empowering global decision makers through impactful engagement with the North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Centre Diploma Program

    Several IIASA researchers provided valuable input and presented workshops at the North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Center's Diploma Program earlier this year. IIASA researcher Ali Kharrazi shares his insights from this impactful engagement.

    Young people protesting climate change with megaphone and posters

    13 November 2023

    Empowering youth to spearhead the energy transition

    The newly established International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum provided an opportunity to discuss best practices and present solutions to tackle climate change and achieve a green energy transition. Hossein Hassani and Nadejda Komendantova share their insights from a fireside chat at the event that focused on the role of young people in clean energy transitions.

    Publications