IIASA

12/06/2026

IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber visited Barbados at the end of May to deepen engagement with government, academic, diplomatic, and international partners and explore new opportunities for collaboration on resilience, innovation, and sustainable development for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

“Barbados shows that resilience is not a function of size but of imagination, institutions, and collective purpose,” says Schellnhuber. “What impressed me throughout this visit was the country’s determination to transform vulnerability into opportunity. Together with our partners in Barbados, IIASA hopes to explore how systems science can help create societies that are not only more resilient, but also more prosperous, inclusive, and humane.”

Read more 👉 https://iiasa.ac.at/news/jun-2026/physics-of-good-vibrations-iiasa-and-barbados-explore-new-model-for-resilient-and
UNDP Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
📷 UNDP

11/06/2026

🌍 Annual global migration has nearly tripled since 2000.

A new study published in Nature by Thomas Gaskin (The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE) and Guy Abel (IIASA and The University of Hong Kong) finds that annual migration between countries increased from around 13 million people in 2000 to approximately 35 million in 2023.

Using deep-learning methods, the researchers developed the first dataset to estimate annual migration flows between all countries from 1990 to 2023. The dataset provides a more detailed picture of global migration patterns than traditional five-year estimates and helps reveal how migration changes over time in response to major events such as economic crises, conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings challenge previous estimates that suggested global migration rates had remained relatively stable, offering new insights into how, where, and when people move across borders.

🔗 Read more: https://iiasa.ac.at/news/jun-2026/annual-global-migration-has-nearly-tripled-since-2000

09/06/2026

Retirement may mark the end of a career, but it doesn't have to mean a decline in cognitive engagement.

A new IIASA-led study, drawing on data from 27 European countries, shows that social connections can help protect cognitive functioning in later life, especially after people leave the workforce. The research highlights how different types of relationships support cognitive health for women and men, emphasizing the importance of staying socially connected beyond retirement.

As populations age across Europe and beyond, fostering strong social networks could play a key role in promoting healthy and active ageing.

Read more 👉 https://iiasa.ac.at/news/jun-2026/life-after-work-why-social-connections-matter

Universität Wien, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften

09/06/2026

At a UNFCCC (UN Climate Change) SB 64 side event co-organized by IIASA, NewClimate Institute, and Coppe UFRJ, researchers and policymakers discussed how global climate goals can be translated into equitable national pathways that support both climate ambition and sustainable development, particularly in countries of the Global South.

IIASA’s Keywan Riahi presented insights from the Scenario Compass Initiative and JustMIP, highlighting new advances in climate scenario research that integrate equity and justice considerations.

More information: https://iiasa.ac.at/events/jun-2026/unfccc-sb-64-side-event-from-global-benchmarks-to-national-pathways-advancing

05/06/2026

IIASA, NewClimate Institute, and the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Coppe UFRJ) are organizing a side event during the sixty-fourth sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB 64) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Bringing together researchers and policymakers, the event will examine how global climate goals can be translated into nationally relevant strategies that advance both emissions reductions and sustainable development. The discussion will explore emerging scientific evidence, methodological innovations, and policy perspectives on designing climate pathways that reflect national circumstances while contributing to collective global ambition.

📅 Monday, 8 June
⏰ 16:30
📍Bonn, Germany
ℹ️ https://iiasa.ac.at/events/jun-2026/unfccc-sb-64-side-event-from-global-benchmarks-to-national-pathways-advancing

05/06/2026

🇬🇷 IIASA is excited to announce that Greece has joined the Institute effective from 1 June 2026 through the Academy of Athens, Greece’s national academy and the highest research establishment in the country.

“From the time of Plato and Aristotle, Greek thought helped establish the enduring nexus between philosophy, science, and public decision-making that continues to shape how societies understand and address complex challenges,” says IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber. “As the IIASA National Member Organization, the Academy of Athens will contribute outstanding scientific expertise, a strong science-policy mandate, and deep knowledge of the Mediterranean region. We are delighted to welcome Greece into the IIASA network and look forward to deepening our partnership in areas ranging from climate resilience and energy systems to sustainable development and digital transformation.”

Read more 👉

IIASA is excited to announce that Greece has joined the Institute effective from 1 June 2026 through the Academy of Athens, Greece’s national academy and the highest research establishment in the country.

03/06/2026

🌱 Welcome to the 2026 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program cohort!

This week, 53 talented PhD students from around the world arrived in Laxenburg to begin their YSSP journey. Over the coming months, they will collaborate, learn, and advance research on some of society’s most pressing challenges.

Inspired by new ideas, connections, and systems thinking, we hope your time at IIASA sparks creativity, meaningful discoveries, and lasting collaborations.

Wishing you an inspiring summer as you help move sustainable research forward and contribute to a more sustainable future. 🌍 ✨

Read more about this year's participants: https://iiasa.ac.at/capacity-development/yssp-young-scientists-summer-program/yssp-current-participants-and-past

02/06/2026

📢 Don't miss tomorrow's installment of the IIASA AI for Climate Science Seminar Series!

Join us for the session titled: How much climate data do we need? Machine learning approaches for evaluating high-resolution climate models, featuring Aiko Voigt and Maximilian Meindl from the University of Vienna (Universität Wien).

As kilometer-scale climate models generate increasingly large datasets, traditional evaluation methods are becoming more challenging to apply. This seminar will explore how machine learning approaches can help assess high-resolution climate models using shorter periods of climate data and reveal new insights into model performance.

🗓️ Wednesday, 3 June 2026
⏰ 14:00–15:30 CEST
✍️ Register to attend and more info: https://iiasa.ac.at/events/jun-2026/ai-for-climate-science-seminar-series-how-much-climate-data-do-we-need-machine

02/06/2026

Climate change affects more than the environment - it also shapes the social conditions in which young people live.

A new study by IIASA and Oxford University Social Policy and Intervention provides the first quantitative evidence linking drought exposure to increased risks of sexual, emotional, and physical violence among adolescents in Southern Africa.

Drawing on data from more than 20,000 adolescents in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho, the research shows that these risks are highest for girls and young women, older adolescents, and those living in rural areas.

As droughts become more frequent and severe, the findings highlight the need to integrate adolescent protection and violence prevention into climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Read more: https://iiasa.ac.at/news/jun-2026/climate-driven-drought-linked-to-rising-violence-among-adolescents-in-southern-africa

29/05/2026

Job Opportunity: Program and Project Officer – Citizen Science Global Partnership (CSGP)

As the founding host institution of CSGP, IIASA is pleased to share this exciting career opportunity on CSGP’s behalf.

📍 Location: Laxenburg, Austria (based at IIASA premises)
🕒 Employment: Full-time or part-time
📌 Please note: This is a CSGP position, not an IIASA appointment. The successful candidate will be employed by and report directly to CSGP.

CSGP is seeking a Program and Project Officer to support international projects, research, and network development at the forefront of citizen science.
This is an opportunity to work closely with a global community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers advancing citizen science for sustainable development.

In this role, you will:
• Contribute to EU-funded projects on biodiversity and plastic pollution
• Work with partners across science, policy, and civil society worldwide
• Support research, project delivery, communications, and events
• Help grow a global network advancing citizen science for sustainable development
We're looking for someone with project management experience, strong organizational skills, professional German proficiency, and an interest in citizen science.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://iiasa.ac.at/employment/external-job-opportunities