Sunset over snow-capped mountains with a forested hillside in the foreground.

Complexity Research

Harness Complexity Achieve Sustainability

Our Complexity Research Program provides in-depth research and analysis that help decipher complexity in local human systems. Products include baseline reports, case studies, evaluation reports, needs assessment reports, policy briefs, policy papers, and research reports. Products also include early warning bulletins and monitoring briefs that monitor key indicators, patterns, and trends in local systems.


Transitions & Transformations

Research into the trends shaping system-level transitions and transformations

Digital illustration of Earth with a focus on Europe and Africa, surrounded by colorful abstract lines, bar graphs, and dots representing data and technology amidst a dark background.

Being aware of how various trends are moving a system forward is critical for assessing the state of its transitions and transformations and strategizing the next steps.


Notes On The Complexity Ahead

Timely analysis of the global drivers shaping local contexts

Digital illustration of the Earth surrounded by colorful lines representing global connectivity and data networks.
Notes On The Complexity Ahead
$9.99 every month

per month

Knowing and understanding the trajectories of megatrends is crucial for any decision-maker seeking to make more future-informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.

While it is true that the future can never be predicted, not all aspects of the future are equally unpredictable. There are relatively stable forces that play a huge role in determining outcomes.


Briefs

Updates on key impact, progress, and state indicator trends.

California’s Energy System

Energy System Briefs
$9.99 every month

Per Month

This Monitoring Brief tracks California’s energy uses and the composition and origins of its sources.

California’s Food System

Food System Briefs
$9.99 every month

Per Month

This Monitoring Brief tracks the number and demographics of food-insecure persons in California.


Computer Simulation of Human-Forest Interaction

A forest landscape change computer simulation model with AI-based adaptive forest management

The SOSIEL (pronounced ˈsōSHəl and stands for Self-Organizing Social & Inductive Evolutionary Learning) Harvest extension (SHE) implements boundedly-rational decision-making by one or more agents.

Together, LANDIS-II and SHE have the potential to simulate adaptive management in co-evolving coupled human and forest landscapes.