 The Research Group on Integrated Assessment: Sociology, Technology and the Environment (IASTE) is a consolidated research group (GRC) recognized by the Government of Catalonia (2017 SGR-230; 2014 SGR 00140; 2009 SGR 0594) and hosted by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA) of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. |
Our research focuses on multi-scale integrated analysis of the metabolism of social-ecological systems. Central to our research is the development of a transdisciplinary approach: Multi-scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MuSIASEM]MuSIASEM). MuSIASEM integrates biophysical and socioeconomic variables across multiple scales, thus establishing a link between the metabolism of socio-economic systems and the potential constraints imposed by the embedding natural environment. MuSIASEM uses integrated sets of indicators that can be chosen “à la carte” by social actors in relation to multiple criteria of performance. MuSIASEM lends itself particularly well for analyzing the nexus between land use, food, energy, water and climate in relation to sustainable development goals. Research topics include: * Energy metabolism, water metabolism, and waste metabolism of socio-ecological systems * The Nexus between population, land use, water, food and energy security * Multi-scale integrated assessment of alternative energy technologies * Food system analysis * Decision support tools based on participatory integrated assessment (science for governance) * Research papers * Outreach papers * Doctoral theses * Working papers * Course materials |