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

    Action, research and participation: roles of researchers in sustainability transitions

    Wittmayer, J. M. & Schäpke, N., 24.10.2014, In: Sustainability Science. 9, 4, p. 483-496 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Implementing Corporate Sustainability: What drives the Application of Sustainability Management Tools in Germany?

    Windolph, S. E., Schaltegger, S. & Herzig, C., 28.10.2014, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 5, 4, p. 378-404 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Spillover of trap-nesting bees and wasps in an urban-rural interface

    Pereira-Peixoto, M. H., Pufal, G., Martins, C. F. & Klein, A. M., 31.10.2014, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 18, 5, p. 815-826 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Aspekte der Nachhaltigkeit in der ambulanten Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz

    Baumgardt, J., Radisch, J., Touil, E., Moock, J., Plewig, H.-J., Kawohl, W. & Rössler, W., 11.2014, In: Psychiatrische Praxis. 41, 8, p. 424- 431 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Assessment for Transformation – Higher Education Thrives in Redefining Quality Systems

    Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G., 11.2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education : Transformation of Learning and Society : Transformation of Learning and Society. Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). London: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 1-22 22 p. 1. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Climate change adaptation strategies within the framework of the German “Energiewende” – Is there a need for government interventions and legal obligations?

    Groth, M. & Cortekar, J., 11.2014, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 28 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 315).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  10. Published

    Entwicklung eines Integrated Assessment Modells: Nachhaltige Entwicklung in Deutschland. Band 1: Hauptband

    Neumann, K., Grimm, F. & Heinrichs, H., 11.2014, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 66 p. (Texte; no. 74/2014).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  11. Published

    Entwicklung eines Integrated Assessment Modells: Nachhaltige Entwicklung in Deutschland. Band 2: Modelldokumentation

    Neumann, K., Grimm, F. & Heinrichs, H., 11.2014, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 29 p. (Texte; no. 75/2014).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch