Founded in 1972, IIASA is an international scientific institute that conducts policy-oriented research into problems that are too large or too complex to be solved by a single country or academic discipline:

• problems like climate change that have a global reach and can be resolved only by international cooperative action, or
• problems of common concern to many countries that need to be addressed at the national level, such as energy security, population aging, and sustainable development.

Funded by scientific institutions in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, IIASA is also independent – completely unconstrained by political or national self-interest. IIASA’s mission is to:

• provide science-based insight to policy and decision-makers;
• develop tools, options and decision support systems from sound systems analysis; and
• address global and multinational issues.

Who is IIASA?
Some 200 mathematicians, social scientists, natural scientists, economists and engineers from over 35 countries carry out research at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria, at the heart of Europe. These range from world-renowned scholars – four Nobel Prize laureates have worked at IIASA – to young scientists just embarking on their careers. In addition, IIASA-related research networks around the globe collect and process local and regional data for integration into IIASA’s advanced scientific models. Through such scientific collaboration IIASA also builds bridges among countries.

IIASA's Research
IIASA researches real world problems using cutting-edge science. It provides practical and independent insights into today’s most pressing global issues relating to the environment, society and technology. It has also been a leading contributor for over 30 years to the development and refinement of assessment and decision-support methodologies, global databases and analytical tools. The institute concentrates its research efforts within three core research themes:

• Environment and Natural Resources;
• Population and Society;
• Energy and Technology.

Within these themes are programs that define the major research areas in which IIASA does its work. Other IIASA initiatives underscore the basic research program, i.e., Special Projects, and Cross-Cutting Activities.

Few Facts

• 4,200 alumni from more than 60 countries
• 1,515 Young Scientists Summer Program scholars from 73 countries since 1977
• 135 books and 1,510 scientific articles (1995-2008)
• 346 staff members from more than 45 countries in 2008
• Approx. 400 news articles, television and radio broadcasts in 2008
• 68 conferences and workshops held in 2008 at IIASA and abroad

Responsible for this page: Communications
Last updated: 07 Oct 2009