ISET’s work bridges the science-policy-implementation divide across regions and cultures. While we are engaged in both basic research and applied implementation activities, ISET’s particular skill lies in the translation of global natural and social scientific insights into local contexts in a manner that improves understanding and enables action. We are also particularly skilled in analyzing the implications of local physical, cultural, economic and other system dynamics for global and other high level policy and strategy.

Bridging the above gaps is, we believe, essential.  Major global challenges related, for example, to climate change, water management, development, poverty alleviation or conflict cannot be solved by global action alone.  Ultimately changes must occur in the day-to-day activities of individuals, communities, businesses and governments at a local level.  At the same time, unless high level policy and other frameworks are supportive, action at a local level has limited effectiveness and can exacerbate existing problems.  Understanding and building synergy between policy or action and the dynamics of complex socio-ecological systems at local to global scales is, a result, essential if human society is to respond successfully to climate change, development and conflict related challenges. ISET’s work directly focuses on this as the fundamental catalyst for positive forms of social and environmental transition. Bridging such gaps is central to the generation of new knowledge and the identification of innovative solutions to emerging problems.

ISET’s activities combine knowledge generation, learning and the incubation of innovative strategies through pilot scale implementation.  We are involved in a spectrum of work that ranges from pure research to direct support for the incubation of innovative pilot and larger scale projects that address basic climate, water, energy, poverty and social transition issues.  We also increasingly involved in training and the development of methodologies for both research and the replication of successful implementation activities.  Finally, through publications and direct involvement in key scientific conferences and policy forums, we engage in evidence-based advocacy.  Our key activity areas are, as a result:

1. Knowledge and Innovation Research: Carefully targeted strategic research to identify innovative strategies for responding to critical issues facing humankind such as those related to climate change, water and other environmental resources, disaster risk reduction, development and poverty alleviation.
2. Methodology development and training: Developing the basic tools required to analyze, understand and respond to emerging problems in complex interlinked socio-ecological systems coupled with training, particularly of individuals and organizations at local and regional levels.
3. Incubation Support: Provision of process, technical and other advisory support to local organizations implementing innovative programs for responding to climate change and other issues.  In selected cases this extends to the direct implementation of innovative pilots by ISET itself.
4. Evidence-based advocacy: Knowledge generated through research, pilot and other activities is used as key evidence to advocate for effective responses to emerging problems in local, regional and global forums.  ISET’s advocacy activities are non-political and range from targeted publication in peer-reviewed forums to analysis of emerging policy.