IIASA Systems Analysis Forum (SAF)

Applied systems analyses build on mathematical models and computational techniques for describing and analyzing complex systems. It is increasingly recognized that accelerating global transformations and rising levels of global interconnectedness necessitate novel methods for identifying scientifically sound options for policy advice. Among the many challenges requiring radically new approaches are decentralized decision-making and bounded rationality; compounding uncertainties and systemic risks; nonlinearities and regime shifts; social interactions and collective phenomena; spatial hierarchies and network dynamics; synergisms and antagonisms across multiple objectives; as well as scientific visualization and communication, to name just a few.

IIASA leadership in the systems analysis of global and universal problems is being extended based on methodological innovations inspired by, and co-developed with, applied research activities at IIASA. Since all IIASA programs develop methods and tools in different ways, the SAF platform helps to consolidate and support these activities and thereby optimize the cross-fertilization of methodological and applied research at IIASA. In addition, dedicated SAF activities promote exchanges among IIASA researchers and methodological experts around the world, accelerating knowledge transfer and methodological inspiration. 

Co-led by the Advanced Systems Analysis and Evolution and Ecology Programs, the SAF pursues these objectives by building synergies between in-house capacities, world-leading experts, and IIASA member countries. Specific activities include: 

1. Regular conferences to attract world leaders in systems-analysis methodology to discuss challenges and opportunities in the context of IIASA research
   
   • First conference: Systems Analysis 2015
2. Regular internal calls for proposals for exploratory, methodologically oriented, small-scale projects are issued
   • 2016 Call: Eight projects funded
   • 2013 Call: Five projects funded
3. Presentations by methodological innovators from around the world and discussions
   • Economic Decision Analysis: Concepts and Applications - 5 April, 2016 by Jeffrey Keisler
   • Ensemble Techniques in Machine Learning and Approximability to the Multiple Salesmen Problem - 25 June, 2016 by Michail Khachay
     
   • Optimal Control of a Perturbed Sweeping Process - 3 June, 2015 by Boris Mordukhovich
   • Stochastic Measures of Resilience - 23 April, 2015 by Jose Ramirez-Marquez

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4. Workshops and schools on systems-analysis methods, models, and tools 
   
   • Visit of a Delegation of Young Scientists from Universities of the Russian Federation - 23-25 November, 2016
     
   • Summer Academy on Economic Growth and Governance of Natural Resources (MSA2015) - 10-31 July, 2015
     
   • Workshop on Theory and Knowledge Systems for Sustainability Science - 22-24 October 2013 – in collaboration with the Santa Fe Institute
   • Seminar on Frontiers of Systems Analysis - 5 November, 2013 – in collaboration with Aalto University
   • Conference on Evolution of Cooperation  - 8-10 April, 2014 – in collaboration with NSF China
     

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5. Partnership with the Complexity Science Hub Vienna 

Last edited: 18 January 2017