Roots of resilience

The centre was founded with funding from Mistra by Johan Rockström and Carl Folke in 2007, based on the insight that the biosphere, society and the economy should be studied as one system to address the complex challenges that face humanity.

Our research builds on science insights that date back more than half a century ago. Explore the image above to see the roots of resilience and scientific advancements related to the Centre.

Today, the centre has become a world-leading sustainability and resilience science centre, advancing science for a liveable planet.

160 researchers and staff from across the world now work at the centre, located at Albano at Stockholm University. The centre is led by professor Line Gordon.

Our vision is a thriving and resilient biosphere that enables well-being for all.

Our mission is to:

• Advance the scientific understanding of the complex, dynamic interactions of people and nature in the biosphere,

• train the next generation of sustainability researchers and leaders, and

• engage in collaborations with change agents.

Our vision and mission are accompanied by a set of underlying principles, as well as a collection of values and practices that guide the work culture:

• People and nature are deeply intertwined, co-evolve, and behave as complex adaptive systems.
• Many patterns, processes and dynamics of the Anthropocene are novel and must be better understood.
• Biosphere stewardship can enable transformation towards resilient, sustainable, and just futures.

Organizational values and practices that define our working culture:
• scientific rigor and integrity underpin all our work
• a collaborative, trust-based and creative working culture enables us to achieve impact
• learning, experimentation and reflection are promoted in all our activities
• diversity, inclusion, and care are principles championed across the organization

Organisation map