Organisation profile

Sustainability has many facets. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching characterize the School of Sustainability. Scientists in our research projects work together in the laboratory, on the heath, in the grassland, in the classroom, with the city administration, with farmers, with non-governmental organizations, with companies, with students in the lecture hall and of course at their desks.

Furthermore, we work with regional and national political actors, e.g. ministries, as well as international organizations, e.g. UNEP, UNESCO, EU. We are part of national and international bodies, e.g. sustainability advisory boards of companies, member of the German Sustainability Award, World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), in order to contribute to social change with scientific findings.

Main research areas

Vision
Sustainability science investigates on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical level how to promote sustainable development and how to find and implement effective solutions for current social and ecological challenges. The aim is to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability researchers are called upon to take responsibility for their research, which is anchored in existing scientific knowledge and methods and serves to make the world a better place for everyone.

Mission
We promote change towards a sustainable future by developing theories, concepts and practices of inclusive education for sustainability, research, governance and management.

We acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of values, norms and behaviour and contribute with transdisciplinary methods to ensuring that tensions and differences between different disciplines, methods, topics and standards are fruitfully taken up and used with productive compromises and further developments towards sustainable development.

Principles
The School of Sustainability is guided by the normative concepts of ecological system integrity and social and economic justice.

Ecological system integrity refers to the safeguarding of life-support systems, as well as the maintenance of the well-being of life on Earth.

With social and economic justice we strive for a world in which all people can fulfil their potential without endangering system integrity and the well-being of others.

Information about the School
The School of Sustainability includes...
... ca. 25 professors
... ca. 100 research assistants
... ca. 1000 students in Bachelor and Master courses

In various inter- and transdisciplinary projects we are constantly researching and working together on changes and solutions for current challenges.

  1. 2007
  2. Published

    Aktivierung von Elternverantwortung: Zur Aufgabenwahrnehmung in Jugendämtern nach dem neuen Kindschaftsrecht

    Oelkers, N., 27.03.2007, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 463 p. (Sozialtheorie)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  3. Published

    Environmental Accounting

    Schaltegger, S. & Burritt, R., 27.03.2007, The International Handbook on Environmental Technology Management. Marinova, D., Annandale, D. & Phillimore, J. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 308-323 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    Effects of prescribed burning on plant available nutrients in dry heathland ecosystems

    Mohamed, A., Haerdtle, W., Jirjahn, B., Niemeyer, T. & von Oheimb, G., 04.2007, In: Plant Ecology. 189, 2, p. 279-289 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Tag- und Nachtaktivität von Spinnen und Laufkäfern

    Drees, C., Hagen, K. & Huk, T., 04.2007, In: Praxis der Naturwissenschaften - Biologie in der Schule. 56, 3, p. 25-31 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  6. Published

    The project CHEMOL: Science education for children - Teacher education for students!

    Steffensky, M. & Parchmann, I., 04.2007, In: Chemistry Education Research and Practice. 8, 2, p. 120-129 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Cradle to Cradle Production

    Braungart, M., 07.04.2007, Surviving the Century: Facing climate chaos and other global challenges. Girardet, H. (ed.). London: Earthscan Publications Ltd., p. 127-150 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Uncertainty and sustainability in the management of rangelands

    Quaas, M., Baumgärtner, S., Becker, C., Frank, K. & Müller, B., 20.04.2007, In: Ecological Economics. 62, 2, p. 251-266 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Ärgerregulierung bei jungen mit ADHS

    Bonekamp, E. & von Salisch, M., 01.05.2007, In: Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie. 35, 3, p. 189-198 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Habitat modelling for the conservation of the rare ground beetle species Carabus variolosus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the riparian zones of headwaters

    Matern, A., Drees, C., Kleinwachter, M. & Aßmann, T., 01.05.2007, In: Biological Conservation. 136, 4, p. 618-627 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Latitudinal Gradient of Airborne Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in the Marine Atmosphere between Germany and South Africa (53° N−33° S)

    Jahnke, A., Berger, U., Ebinghaus, R. & Temme, C., 01.05.2007, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 41, 9, p. 3055-3061 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review