In September 2020, IIASA organized a session on science diplomacy <\/span>at the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF2020). The session aimed to <\/span>introduce the Big Research Infrastructures for Diplomacy and Global <\/a><\/span>Engagement through Science<\/a> (BRIDGES) network to the wider <\/span>science diplomacy community and to discuss emerging issues. Among <\/span>the speakers at the session were the Director General of IIASA, the <\/span>Director of The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics <\/span>(ICTP), representatives of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory <\/span>(EMBL), the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), and <\/span>the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)<\/span>.<\/p>\n In November 2020 IIASA, in its capacity as secretariat of the BRIDGES <\/span>network, organized a virtual Third BRIDGES Meeting. Representative of <\/span>the European Southern Observatory (ESO) participated in the meeting <\/span>for the first time, thus bringing the number of BRIDGES members <\/span>to twelve. The current members are: ICTP, JRC, EMBL, CERN, the <\/span>European Southern Observatory (ESO), the European Space Agency <\/span>(ESA), European XFEL GmbH, IIASA, the International Thermonuclear <\/span>Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization, The World Academy of <\/span>Sciences (TWAS), the Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO), and <\/span>Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle <\/span>East (SESAME). Among the topics discussed during the meeting were <\/span>the readiness, willingness, and preparedness of the scientific community <\/span>to actively engage in building bridges between policy, science, and <\/span>diplomacy, as well as policies on open access to scientific knowledge. <\/span>The meeting helped to identify ways on how to move forward<\/span>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Despite the restrictions brought about by the COVID19 pandemic, 98 visitors came to IIASA to do research, collaborate with the institute\u2019s research programs, and attend IIASA events. Of these visitors, 79 were from member countries.<\/span><\/p>\n IIASA scientists hosted or coordinated 74 events worldwide. The <\/span>majority of these events took place virtually due to the COVID-19 <\/span>pandemic. The events were attended by a total of 1,218 participants, <\/span>of which 593 were identified as coming from member countries<\/span>.<\/p>\n The IIASA global research network of over 680 partner institutes in NMO countries facilitates greater scientific cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n IIASA has 4,337 alumni from 100 countries, of whom 25% are actively <\/span>involved in the institute\u2019s scientific activities and many are leaders in <\/span>academia, government, and the private sector. <\/span>The Alumni Association<\/a> coordinates exchange within this network.<\/p>\n In 2020, former YSSPer and alumna Leila Niamir joined the <\/span>Global Young Academy, which empowers young researchers to lead <\/span>international, interdisciplinary, and inter-generational dialogue with the <\/span>goal to make global decision making evidence-based and inclusive<\/span>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n International research collaborations underpin IIASA work. Apart <\/span>from the high-quality research output and the subsequent impact of <\/span>the research projects\u2019 findings, these research collaborations benefit <\/span>IIASA member countries by improving the skills and expertise of its <\/span>researchers. Working with IIASA gives a country\u2019s researchers access <\/span>to complementary knowledge, new perspectives, new methodologies, <\/span>new data, new partnerships, and new sources of funding<\/span>.<\/p>\n The institute provides a range of incentives, as well as structures, <\/span>for international research collaboration and encourages the mobility <\/span>of global scientific talent. As IIASA gives preference to researchers <\/span>from its member countries in research and capacity-building activities, <\/span>membership of IIASA provides many new opportunities for scientists <\/span>at all career levels<\/span>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(0,88,157,0.18)” divider_position=”center” admin_label=”LINE GLOBAL” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”57%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”3px||3px||false|false” custom_padding=”3px||3px||false|false” global_module=”1865″ saved_tabs=”all”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(0,88,157,0.18)” divider_position=”center” admin_label=”LINE GLOBAL” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”57%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”3px||3px||false|false” custom_padding=”3px||3px||false|false” global_module=”1865″ saved_tabs=”all”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(0,88,157,0.18)” divider_position=”center” admin_label=”LINE GLOBAL” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”57%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”3px||3px||false|false” custom_padding=”3px||3px||false|false” global_module=”1865″ saved_tabs=”all”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”1846,1847,1854,1848″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In 2020, IIASA continued to prioritize partnerships with research <\/span>collaborators and research users in its 22 member countries. These <\/span>partnerships include formal collaborations between institutions as <\/span>co-investigators on externally funded research projects, and informal <\/span>cooperation between individual researchers working together on <\/span>scientific publications<\/span>.<\/p>\n The focus of IIASA research on finding solutions to challenges that <\/span>cross international boundaries results in strategic collaboration with a <\/span>range of international and regional organizations. New collaborations <\/span>in 2020 included<\/span>:<\/p>\n In addition, IIASA signed Memoranda of Understanding with 17 <\/span>organizations to facilitate research collaborations and the use of IIASA <\/span>research by institutions in a number of countries, including Austria, <\/span>Brazil, China, India, Russia, the UK, and the US, along with international <\/span>organizations such as the United Nations Convention to Combat <\/span>Desertification (UNCCD). In 2020, IIASA also became a founding partner <\/span>of an initiative to organize the International Year of Basic Sciences for <\/span>Sustainable Development in 2022 and to have it proclaimed as such by <\/span>the UN General Assembly.<\/span><\/p>\n Established strategic partnerships were also progressed in 2020. <\/span>Among these were: <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_line_height=”1.4em” width=”85″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1400px” module_alignment=”center” height=”85″ custom_margin=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px|3px|5px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” global_module=”94″ saved_tabs=”all” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In 2020, IIASA researchers served on 224 advisory boards and steering committees. These ranged from the World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) Air Pollution and Health Scientific Advisory Group to the International Boreal Forest Research Association and the World Water Council. A total of 20 IIASA researchers contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\u2019s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, which is currently under preparation and scheduled to be finalized in 2021. Notably, IIASA emeritus research scholar Nebojsa Nakicenovic was appointed to the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n IIASA has consultative status with a range of intergovernmental <\/span>organizations, which facilitates their uptake of IIASA research. These <\/span>include the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Consultative <\/span>status: category I), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate <\/span>Change (Observer), and United Nations Environment Programme <\/span>(Observer). <\/span><\/p>\n In addition, IIASA researchers made research contributions to the <\/span>global programs of multiple international organizations. For example, <\/span>a World Bank report on tackling the growing challenge of urban air <\/a><\/span>pollution<\/span>, a Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United <\/span>Nations (UNDESA) report <\/span>on effective institutions to support sustainable <\/span><\/a>development, and a United Nations Economic Commission for Europe <\/span>(UNECE) report <\/span>on accelerating the energy transition in the UNECE <\/span>Region<\/span><\/a>\u2014all used IIASA research <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In addition to the 367 researchers from 52 countries that worked at IIASA in 2020, the institute has an extensive network of collaborators, alumni, and visitors from across the globe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-922","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpautop"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/922\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Conference participants, visitors, and research partners<\/h3>\n
Alumni<\/h3>\n
Researcher mobility<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Picture-1-2-e1620640535464.png\")
<\/a>In 2020, <\/span>Melissa Caldeira Brant de Souza Lima<\/span> was <\/span>an IIASA guest research assistant and a PhD student at <\/span>the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Picture-4-2-e1620640742565.jpg\")
Samir K.C<\/span>. was a researcher with the IIASA World <\/span>Population Program and a professor at the Asian <\/span>Demographic Research Centre, Shanghai University, China.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Picture-5-2-e1620640833395.jpg\")
Junko Mochizuki <\/span>was a researcher with the IIASA Risk <\/span>and Resilience and Water programs and a Disaster Risk <\/span>Management Specialist at the World Bank<\/span>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Picture-3-e1620640664118.png\")
<\/a>Jessica Jewell <\/span>was an IIASA guest researcher with the <\/span>Advanced Systems Analysis Program, assistant professor <\/span>at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and an <\/span>adjunct associate professor at the University of Bergen, <\/span>Norway<\/span>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ar20.iiasa.ac.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/05\/Picture-2-e1620640616945.jpg\")
<\/a>Benigna Boza-Kiss <\/span>was a research assistant with the <\/span>IIASA Transitions to New Technologies Program and held <\/span>a research position at the Central European University, <\/span>Hungary<\/span>.<\/p>\nStrategic partnerships and collaborations<\/h3>\n
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Contributions to global endeavors<\/span><\/h3>\n