Foundations and methods
To unravel wicked problems we explore the dynamics of complex systems from a fundamental perspective and develop integrative computational and descriptive methods.
Themes
We live in a fast-changing world where everything seems to be interwoven with everything else. At the IAS, researchers from a wide range of fields work together on all kinds of complex scientific and societal challenges. We have organised our activities into four broadly defined domains, and two cross-cutting themes under which you can find a colourful array of projects and theme groups. The projects and themes change over time, but our foundations and methods programme remains. It is the core of the institute.
Research themes
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Health complexity
Understanding the interplay between physiological, mental and socio-economic factors that have an impact on health is crucial to find effective responses to major public health challenges. -
Coupled human and natural worlds
Today’s sustainability challenges can only be understood and managed if we study human and natural domains as connected and interacting components of one integrated system. -
Social dynamics
We live in an increasingly interconnected world, which has caused many social systems (e.g. economies, cities, nations, corporations) to become fundamentally complex by nature. -
Digital societies and infrastructures
To understand information systems, we combine the study of social, ethical, legal and political aspects of digital transitions with research into cognitive AI, computational science, data science and methodologies. -
Governance of complexity
To understand and to promote the interaction between science, research, and policy-making, governments, industries, non-governmental organizations and academia need to collaborate and design new modes of governance.