Albert van Jaarsveld was appointed as the eleventh Director General of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) on 1 October 2018. He obtained his PhD in Zoology from the University of Pretoria, pursued postdoctoral studies and research in conservation biology and global security in Australia and the UK respectively, and completed executive management training at Harvard University.

Albert’s research work focused on biodiversity and conservation planning, biodiversity and climate change, as well as ecosystem services. He was appointed full professor at both the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch. He has served as co-chair of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment follow-up. He held positions as Intergovernmental Science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services science focal point; chair of the G8 science ministers’ group of senior officials on global research infrastructure; chair of the International Group of Funding Agencies; co-chair of the Belmont Forum; and as a member of the ICSU review panel (2013-2014) and the IPBES external review panel (2018).

He is the recipient of numerous professional awards, includin awards as outstanding young scientist; outstanding academic achiever; and Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Tuition and Learning from the University of Pretoria; the University of Stellenbosch Vice-Chancellor’s Award for research excellence; and the centenary medal for a distinguished career in research, teaching, and leadership from the South African Academy of Science and Arts. Albert has published more than 100 primary research papers, including highly cited works in Science and Nature.