ISET’s approach takes, as a starting point, the importance of responding to “observed realities.” By this we mean that we focus on the actual “observed” empirical behavior of physical systems or individuals, organizations and institutions rather than the manner in which societies, governments and experts think they “should” work.  This may seem obvious but it is quite different from other approaches that take as a starting point either theoretical considerations or the formal structures of government, markets and legal systems.

The emphasis ISET places on “observed realities” enables us to identify innovative solutions to critical problems as well as the limitations inherent in approaches emerging from widely accepted frameworks, processes and knowledge systems.   It also underpins the strong emphasis we place on: (1) working directly with individuals, communities and private sector organizations at the local level; (2) the use and generation of basic physical and social scientific evidence in applied development activities; and (3) strategic and targeted but limited engagement at the policy level.  Policy frameworks are like rain clouds in the desert – you can see the lightening flashing and hear the thunder but the rain never hits the ground.  Where policy is concerned, we seek to identify and engage in the critical arenas that enable or constrain behavior by individuals, households, communities and organizations at the local level where the “rain actually hits the ground.”  Overall, the emphasis on observed realities lends a strong pragmatic applied flavor to all the work undertaken by ISET.  Even where the immediate focus of a project is research or conceptual, the ultimate objective is to understand and help shape the conditions of daily life in ways that address climate change, poverty, environmental degradation, conflict and other fundamental challenges facing society.

Although ISET’s approach takes “observed reality” as a primary starting point it is also informed by and continuously contributing to the development of the knowledge systems and conceptual frameworks. Internally and in our relationships with others we see ISET as part of an evolving intellectual collegium.  This collegium draws on and is continuously refining and testing conceptual frameworks.  At present we focus particularly on the dynamics of interlinked social-ecological systems and the behavioral rationalities created by organizational types with such systems.  Our approach here is informed by the thinking of individuals such as C.S. Holling, Mary Douglas and Lynn Ostrom as well as the generations of students and others their work has informed.  In addition we draw on and utilize tools from a wide array of conventional scientific, economic and other disciplines.  

For ISET and our partners the net result is an approach that is pragmatic, informed by ground realities and yet conceptually innovative. This approach is, we believe, of fundamental importance for catalyzing effective responses to the major problems facing society at all levels from the local to the global.