Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies

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Research Institute for Sustainability
Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies logo.svg
Category Research institute
Legal structureRegistered association
Established2 February 2009
Location Potsdam, Germany
LeadershipKatja Carson (Administration), Prof. Dr Mark Lawrence, Prof. Dr Patrizia Nanz, Prof. Dr Ortwin Renn
Fields of researchenergy transitions, emerging technologies, climate change, air quality, systemic risks, governance and participation, cultures of transformation in the Anthropocene, and sustainable development
Funding mixFederal Government (85%), State of Brandenburg (15%)
Staffapprox. 120
Homepage www.rifs-potsdam.de/en

The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany, previously known as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), is affiliated with the Helmholtz Association through 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. [1] RIFS also offers a Fellow Program. [2]

Contents

Organization

RIFS employs approximately 120 people from over 30 countries. [3] The institute's research program is overseen by it's scientific directors, Doris Fuchs and Mark Lawrence, who are in turn advised by the institute's advisory board and the department heads for each research division. [1] [4] [5] RIFS receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (85%) and Federal State of Brandenburg (15%). According to the institute's website, research is divided into three areas: environmental politics [6] , human environmental impact and damage mitigation [7] , and inter-disciplinary cooperation [8] ; a fellowship program is attached to all three areas. [1]

History

The IASS (now RIFS) was founded in Potsdam, Germany on February 2, 2009. Klaus Töpfer served as the institute's founding executive director until September 2015, with scientific directors Carlo Rubbia (June 2010 – May 2015) and Mark G. Lawrence (from October 2011). [9]

In January 2023, the IASS merged with the Helmholtz Association. It was renamed the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) and incorporated into the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). [10]

Publications

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About us | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  2. ↑ "Fellow Programme". Research Institute for Social Cohesion. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  3. ↑ IASS Activities 2012–2013, p. 72.
  4. ↑ "The Directors | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  5. ↑ "Advisory Board | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  6. ↑ "Sustainability Transformations and Society | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  7. ↑ "Transforming Human-Earth Interactions | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  8. ↑ "Advancing Transdisciplinarity and Co-Creation | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
  9. ↑ "Klaus Töpfer Bids Farewell: IASS Established as a Platform for Dialogue between Science and Society - IASS Potsdam".
  10. ↑ "An ideal addition to the Helmholtz Association". www.gfz.de. 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  11. ↑ "RIFS Policy Paper and Policy Briefs | Research Institute for Sustainability". www.rifs-potsdam.de. Retrieved 2025-02-27.

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