IIASA and the Policy Maker: Integrating the Research Function into Decision Making

Starting from the assumption of a gap in knowledge and understanding between the scientist and the man of affairs, the author points out the increasing need for political leaders to rely on scientific information. IIASA's role is described as applying systems analysis to a growing list of human problems bridging the gaps between scientific research in individual countries and establishing better lines of cross-disciplinary communication between scientists throughout the world. The main danger for IIASA is seen in the difficulty of gaining understanding of its work by policy makers or the public. In order to improve communication with policy makers, several activities are proposed, such as a guest scholar program, the use of the Delphi method or related processes to develop more client-oriented programs and the development of tiered forms of visual presentation. Finally, the author proposes a policy-oriented research agenda for the eighties reaching from strategic problems, economics to pollution and conflict resolution