Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies
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| Category | Research institute |
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| Legal structure | Registered association |
| Established | 2 February 2009 |
| Location | Potsdam, Germany |
| Leadership | Katja Carson (Administration), Prof. Dr Mark Lawrence, Prof. Dr Patrizia Nanz, Prof. Dr Ortwin Renn |
| Fields of research | energy transitions, emerging technologies, climate change, air quality, systemic risks, governance and participation, cultures of transformation in the Anthropocene, and sustainable development |
| Funding mix | Federal Government (85%), State of Brandenburg (15%) |
| Staff | approx. 120 |
| Homepage | www |
The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, previously known as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), is affiliated with the Helmholtz Association, with the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. RIFS collaborates with a range of stakeholders to address sustainability challenges including researchers, governmental bodies, the private sector, and civil society. Its research covers areas such as climate change mitigation, sustainable governance, and cultural transformations in the Anthropocene. Additionally, RIFS promotes knowledge exchange through its Fellow Program, strengthening its sustainability initiatives.
Organization
[edit]The RIFS currently employs approximately 120 people from over 30 countries.[1] In 2019 the Board of Directors was composed of the Institute's three Scientific Directors – Mark G. Lawrence, Patrizia Nanz and Ortwin Renn – and its Head of Administration, Jakob Meyer.[2] The RIFS receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (85%) and the Federal State of Brandenburg (15%). The Institute's research program currently spans five areas: Democratic Transformations; Systemic Interdependencies: Nature, Technology, Society; Perceptions, Values, Orientation; Energy Systems and Societal Change; Governance for the Environment and Society. These research areas are supported in their work by a cross-cutting research area tasked with facilitating dialogue between science, policy-makers, and civil society actors.[3]
History
[edit]The IASS (Now RIFS) was founded in Potsdam, Germany, on 2 February 2009. Klaus Töpfer was the Institute's founding director. He led the Institute as its executive director until September 2015, together with scientific directors Carlo Rubbia (June 2010 – May 2015) and Mark G. Lawrence (from October 2011).[4]
In January 2023, the IASS merged with the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organization, and was renamed the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) while being incorporated to German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), while retaining its scientific independence.[citation needed]
Publications
[edit]The RIFS uses a number of publications formats to disseminate its findings and policy recommendations. These include:
- RIFS Policy Briefs – Policy recommendations and assessments
- RIFS Fact Sheets – Brief overviews of research relating to topics addressed by the Institute
- RIFS Studies – Detailed research findings addressing a central issue
- RIFS Working Paper – Interim research findings and interventions in current debates
References
[edit]- ^ IASS Activities 2012–2013, p. 72.
- ^ "The Directors". Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS).
- ^ "IASS Research".
- ^ "Klaus Töpfer Bids Farewell: IASS Established as a Platform for Dialogue between Science and Society - IASS Potsdam".
External links
[edit]- Research Institute for Sustainability
- Institut für Klimawandel, Erdsystem und Nachhaltigkeit – Artikel im PotsdamWiki
- Vorbild Princeton: Potsdam bekommt eine Denkfabrik für Klimaforschung – Spiegel Online, 30. Juni 2009
52°24′21.9″N 13°4′24.4″E / 52.406083°N 13.073444°E
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