Advanced Systems Analysis Area  

IIASA uses systems analysis to examine complex systems, with an emphasis on holistic and integrated problem formulation and an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions

IIASA uses systems analysis to examine large-scale socio-economic and environmental systems that lie behind IIASA’s applied research. Complexity is the key feature of such systems. Complexity is not the mere reflection of the fact that the system has a complex structure. A system is truly complex if current knowledge does not allow us to get a clear understanding of the system’s structure and drivers. To make reliable statements on the future operation of a complex system, one needs to look at the system from different perspectives and synthesize ‘one-sided’ disciplinary approaches into an integrated view. Systems analysis is a laboratory for such synthesis.   

IIASA’s research in systems analysis contributes to the construction and exploration of models of complex socio-economic and environmental systems.   

Research on Assessment of Dynamical Systems focuses on analysis of interactions of heterogeneous agents driving evolution of large-scale socio-economic systems, and on revealing principles of optimal management of macro-economic and environmental systems. IIASA’s Programs contributing to research on Assessment of Dynamical Systems include Advanced Systems Analysis (ASA), Evolution and Ecology (EEP), Ecosystems Services and Management (ESM), World Population (POP) and Mitigation of Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases (MAG).

Research on Systemic Risks and Robust Solutions explores drivers of extreme events in complex dynamics, analyzes risk of cascading failure in networks, and develops tools for supporting decision-making under risk and uncertainty. IIASA’s Programs contributing to research on Systemic Risks and Robust Solutions include ASA and EEP.

Research on Integrated Modeling and Decision Support develops methods for integration of knowledge provided by alternative models of complex systems, and includes elaboration of integrated assessment methods and their applications. IIASA’s Programs contributing to research on Integrated Modeling and Decision Support include ASA, ENE and ESM.

The Advanced Systems Analysis Forum acts as a roundtable for all IIASA researchers and external experts interested in advancing modeling, simulation, and analysis. The forum aims to enhance the applied research methodology conducted at IIASA. IIASA’s Programs contributing to the Advanced Systems Analysis Forum include ASA, EEP, ESM and ENE.

Themes & Projects in the Advanced Systems Analysis Area 

The Advanced Systems Analysis Area includes research in three core themes: Assessment of Dynamical Systems, Systemic Risks and Robust Solutions, and Integrated Modeling and Decision Support; and the Advanced Systems Analysis Forum.

Assessment of Dynamical Systems

This theme includes the following research projects:

Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Living Systems

This project will improve models for assessing the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of living systems to allow a better understanding of human-induced impacts on the biosphere   More

Eco-evolutionary Vegetation Modeling and Management

The development of eco-evolutionary models will allow scientists to better understand how plants around the world respond to climate change and disturbances such as fires and grazing. More

Assessment of Resource Productivity

The project focuses on assessment of the efficiency of the use of natural resources in the long run; China is a case study. (Coming soon)


Systemic Risks and Robust Solutions

This theme includes the following projects:

Systemic Risk and Network Dynamics

The Systemic Risk and Network Dynamics project will examine how different types of systems, ranging from financial to ecological and beyond, are at risk of cascades of failures. As well as assessing this risk, this cross-cutting project will develop tools to help prevent such events. More

Systemic Risk, Security and Robust Solutions

This project develops new and advanced models, methods and tools for supporting robust decision-making for complex problems under deep uncertainties, interlinked spatio-temporal multi-agent decision environments, and systemic risks. More 


Integrated Modeling and Decision Support

This theme includes the following research projects:

Network Analysis

This project focuses on the development and application of network analysis methodologies for ecological, economic, and urban systems. (Coming soon)

Advanced Analytics of Structured Modeling for Policy- and Decision-making Support Project 

The project moves beyond the merely data-driven analysis and develops methodology, technologies and techniques for model-based integration and creation of interdisciplinary knowledge useful for understanding complex problems and making better decisions. (Coming soon)

Prospects of Socio-Economic Development of Russia and Ukraine in the European Context 

IIASA is the coordinator in this regional project focusing on systems analysis of mid-term scenarios of socio-economic development of Russia and Ukraine as important players on the European scene. More

Integrated Modeling of Robust Food, Energy and Water Security Management Solutions

This is a joint project between IIASA and the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. The project develops integrated models for analyzing robust coherent policies for a multi-agent decision environment dealing with secure food, water and energy supply networks under potential socio-economic and environmental threats, systemic risks, and inherent uncertainties. More

Advanced Systems Analysis Forum

A new Advanced Systems Analysis Forum has been created to act as a roundtable for all IIASA researchers and external experts interested in advancing modeling, simulation, and analysis. The forum aims to enhance the applied research methodology conducted at IIASA and currently includes the following project:

Artificial World for Forecasting (Dream Valley)

The Project develops a cross-disciplinary modeling and assessment framework. It consists of two parts: Dream Valley simulator and A3 framework. The Dream Valley simulator simulates complex dynamical systems, while the A3 framework implements and tests methods for forecasting their future behaviors.  More



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Last edited: 05 April 2016

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International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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