South Africa
Since South Africa’s membership of IIASA, a range of research collaborations and capacity building activities have been developed by IIASA and over twenty South African research partners.
The most notable activity is the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA-YSSP) that developed system analytical research skills among over 80 doctoral students from 30 countries including 35 students from South Africa. This lead to the establishment of the Southern African Systems Analysis Centre, which has evolved from the success of the SA-YSSP.
Latest research news:
Tackling the growing challenge of urban air pollution
How can fast growing cities keep air pollution in check? A recent World Bank report highlighting IIASA research explores this tricky question, looking at the kinds of policies and actions cities have taken to tackle poor local air quality, thus providing lessons for other cities. More
Climate adaptation lessons learned from the Cape Town drought
Options Summer 2020: IIASA researchers explored how cities can enhance governance around climate change adaptation using the recent Cape Town water crisis as a case study. More
Using modeling to plan for agricultural production increase in South Africa
Options Summer 2020: IIASA researchers modeled complex system linkages that affect food security in South Africa and found that sustained growth in the country’s agricultural sector is heavily dependent on careful planning and water use for irrigation. More
On the blog:
Interview with the Science Advisory Committee Chair Mary Scholes
Mary Scholes has been serving on the IIASA Science Advisory Committee (SAC) since 2011 and was appointed as Chair in 2014. In this interview she discusses her views of SAC. More
Ethical research is a quest for truth
An interview with Dorsamy (Gansen) Pillay, IIASA council member for South Africa, on ethical research. More
The legacy of systems analysis in South Africa: when young scientists become global leaders
Sepo Hachigonta, once a YSSP participant himself, shares the inspiration behind the recently released book “Systems Analysis for Complex Global Challenges,” the intellectual legacy of generations of IIASA and South African YSSP alums. More
Scientific exchange:
NMO DETAILS
Infosheet on IIASA activities with South Africa
PUBLICATIONS
Gyamfi-Ampadu E, Gebreslasie M, & Mendoza Ponce A (2020). Mapping natural forest cover using satellite imagery of Nkandla forest reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 18: p. 100302. DOI:10.1016/j.rsase.2020.100302.
Rao N , Min J, & Mastrucci A (2019). Energy requirements for decent living in India, Brazil and South Africa. Nature Energy 4 (12): 1025-1032. DOI:10.1038/s41560-019-0497-9.
Lesiv M, See L , Mora B, Pietsch S, Fritz S, Bun H, Sendabo S, Kibuchi S, et al. (2019). Accuracy Assessment of the ESA CCI 20M Land Cover Map: Kenya, Gabon, Ivory Coast and South Africa. IIASA Working Paper. Laxenburg, Austria: WP-19-009
Orthofer C, Huppmann D , & Krey V (2019). South Africa After Paris—Fracking Its Way to the NDCs? Frontiers in Energy Research 7: art.20. DOI:10.3389/fenrg.2019.00020.
Nkoana E (2018). Community acceptance challenges of renewable energy transition: A tale of two solar parks in Limpopo, South Africa. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 29 (1): 34-40. DOI:10.17159/2413-3051/2018/v29i1a2540.