Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies

Research Institute for Sustainability

Category	Research institute
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.rifs-potsdam.de/en

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 various stakeholders, including researchers, governmental bodies, the private sector, and civil society, to address sustainability challenges. Its research covers 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

The RIFS currently employs approximately 120 people from over 30 countries. ^[1] In 2019, the Board of Directors comprised 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, and Society; Perceptions, Values, Orientation; Energy Systems and Societal Change; and 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

On 2 February 2009, The IASS (Now RIFS) was founded in Potsdam, Germany. Klaus Töpfer was the Institute's founding director. He led the Institute as its executive director until September 2015, 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. It was renamed the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) and incorporated into the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) while retaining its scientific independence.^{[ citation needed ]}

Publications

The RIFS uses several publication formats to disseminate its findings and policy recommendations. These include:

• RIFS Policy Briefs ^[5] – 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

1. IASS Activities 2012–2013, p. 72.
2. "The Directors". Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS).
3. "IASS Research".
4. "Klaus Töpfer Bids Farewell: IASS Established as a Platform for Dialogue between Science and Society - IASS Potsdam".
5. "RIFS Policy Paper and Policy Briefs | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-02-27.

External links

• 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

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