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. 2014
  2. Published

    Ökosystem und Biodiversität

    Aßmann, T., Drees, C., Härdtle, W., Klein, A.-M., Schuldt, A. & Oheimb, G., 2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 147-174 28 p.

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

  3. Published

    Overview of the Aggregate Results of the International Corporate Sustainability Barometer

    Hörisch, J. & Windolph, S. E., 2014, Corporate Sustainability in International Comparison: State of Practice, Opportunities and Challenges. Schaltegger, S., Windolph, S. E., Harms, D. & Hörisch, J. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 21-33 13 p. (Eco-Efficiency in Industry and Science; vol. 31).

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

  4. Published

    Palynological record of the Quaternary deposits of Garding-2 research drill core, North-west Germany.

    Proborukmi, M. S. & Urban, B., 2014, The Quaternary of the Urals: global trends and Pan-European Quaternary records. Borodin, A. V., Markova, E. A. & Strukova, T. V. (eds.). Ural Federal University, p. 120-122 3 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Plutella xylostella (L.) infestations at varying temperatures induce the emission of specific volatile blends by Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh

    Truong, D. H., Delory, B. M., Brostaux, Y., Heuskin, S., Delaplace, P., Francis, F. & Lognay, G., 2014, In: Plant Signaling and Behavior. 9, 11, 10 p., e973816.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Politische Vorfahrt für biologische Vielfalt: Politikbarometer zur Biodiversität in Deutschland

    Laws, N., 2014, Berlin: WWF, 86 p.

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  7. Published

    Potenziale für Kinder und Gesellschaft: Frühkindliche Bildung als Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Stoltenberg, U., 2014, Krisen- und Transformationsszenarios: Frühkindpädagogik, Resilienz & Weltaktionsprogramm. Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 47-57 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  8. Published

    Quality System Development at the University of Graz: Lessons Learned from the Case of RCE Graz-Styria

    Zimmermann, F. M., Raggautz, A., Maier, K., Drage, T., Mader, M., Diethart, M. & Meyer, J., 2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Transformation of Learning and Society . Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 131-152 22 p. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Published

    Recalcitrant pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment: A comparative screening study of their occurrence, formation of phototransformation products and their in vitro toxicity

    Bergheim, M., Gminski, R., Spangenberg, B., Dȩbiak, M., Bürkle, A., Mersch-Sundermann, V., Kümmerer, K. & Gieré, R., 2014, In: Environmental Chemistry. 11, 4, p. 431-444 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Recht und Finanzierung von Erneuerbaren Energien: Bürgerbeteiligungsmodelle

    Degenhart, H. (Editor) & Schomerus, T. (Editor), 2014, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. 123 p. (Lüneburger Schriften zum Wirtschaftsrecht; no. 27)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  11. Published

    Recht und Finanzierung von Erneuerbaren Energien: Bürgerbeteiligungsmodelle: Bericht von der Fachtagung an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

    Kahla, F. & Maly, C., 2014, In: NordÖR. 17, 5, p. 215-217 3 p., 4.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer