Integrated Earth System Information Center (CIESIN)

The Center for Integrated Earth System Information (CIESIN), formerly known as the International Earth Science Information Network Center, is a center under the Columbia Climate Institute. The mission of CIESIN is to utilize cutting-edge geospatial technology to support comprehensive analysis of human and environmental systems, and to provide support for decision-making through collaborative research, teaching, and data generation, management, and dissemination. CIESIN values inclusive, influential, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Our goal is to build bridges between global scholars, practitioners, decision-makers, and communities to jointly produce reliable geospatial data and analyze the interactions between humans and the environment. CIESIN envisions a world with fair social benefits and sustainable environmental outcomes through data, research, and teaching. Learn about our 2024-2027 strategic plan, download our capability statement, and read our open data policy.

CIESIN's multidisciplinary staff includes doctoral social scientists (geography, public health, demographics, and political science) and information scientists; Master's level social and environmental scientist; GIS、 Expert in data management and data policy; System engineer; And application developers.

History

CIESIN was founded in 1989 as a non-profit alliance of universities and research institutions, with members including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), Michigan Environmental Institute (ERIM), University of Maryland, and Brooklyn Institute of Technology. CIESIN was committed to making environmental and socio-economic data easier for decision-making and public access in its early days, and took advantage of the rapid development of the Internet to provide some of the first web-based mapping tools and searchable relational databases as well as unique data resources, such as the World Grid Population (GPW) and China dimensional data sets. In 1995, CIESIN was awarded the Smithsonian Prize for Computer World (Environment, Energy, and Agriculture) for its data networking and cataloging work.

In 1998, after fierce competition, CIESIN joined the newly established Earth Research Institute at Columbia University. As part of the Earth Research Institute, CIESIN has successfully bid to further develop and maintain NASA's Center for Socio Economic Data and Applications (SEDAC), which has been in operation for over 25 years. CIESIN is able to develop many new programs and projects, typically in collaboration with other Columbia University faculty and staff, to leverage its unique capabilities in interdisciplinary research and practice, geospatial data and technology, and data science and management. CIESIN continues to implement innovative data creation, access, visualization, and analysis methods in distributed data systems and various application fields. Many CIESIN faculty members serve as part-time teachers at different Columbia University colleges, teaching a range of interdisciplinary topics and data science methods courses.

In 2021, CIESIN became part of the Columbia Climate Institute, utilizing its unique capabilities to address urgent climate issues and understanding human exposure, vulnerability, and risks becoming increasingly important. Although climate change is often seen as a global challenge, its impacts and driving factors - along with societal adaptation and mitigation efforts - require data from specific locations and times to make decisions and take action. Within the Climate Academy, CIESIN is committed to expanding its influence through collaborative research, education, and practice, addressing key needs related to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice, expanding its public-private partnerships and stakeholder engagement, enhancing its sustainability and management capabilities, and supporting and accelerating the achievement of the Climate Academy's goals through advanced data science methods and evidence-based decision-making.

The long-term mission of CIESIN remains as prominent today as it was 25 years ago when CIESIN joined Columbia University, which is to provide access to global information and enhance the use of information, enhance understanding of the interaction between humans and the environment, and meet the needs of science and public and private decision-making.