Welcome to our Center & Community

The Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (BCSSS) is an Austrian independent research and knowledge transfer institute that is internationally acknowledged as an ambassador for the systems science heritage and a contributor to the present state-of-the-art applied systems research.

We are dedicated to advance systems concepts and systemic approaches to achieve innovative solutions for a sustainable development.

We work in trans-disciplinary processes at the interface of science – humanities – engineering and design to create a better and more sustainable future for all, addressing the global challenges we face today.

Our solid foundations are based on the heritage of the Ludwig von Bertalanffy Archive and the legacies of other scientists, which the Center makes accessible and maintains. Our activities comprise research projects, education and training as well as awards, especially for the next generation of system scientists, researchers, and designers.

We strengthen a global competence ecosystem of recognized scientists, researchers, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, designers, and leaders. In this role the BCSSS also acts as an organizer of international science and practice forums, like the European Meetings on Cybernetics and Systems Research and serves as the legal body of the Circular Economy Forum Austria.

We have been and are invited and connected to several advisory positions and bodies, e.g. in the European Commission, European Stakeholder platforms, and national and international science, professional and industry associations.

The BCSSS, as a non-profit, charitable organization under Austrian law, is an active member of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR), the largest umbrella organization in the field of systems science and systems engineering, which the BCSSS also hosts since 2018.