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. 2016
  2. Published

    UV-photodegradation of desipramine: Impact of concentration, pH and temperature on formation of products including their biodegradability and toxicity

    Khaleel, N. D. H., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.10.2016, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 566-567, p. 826-840 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Non-native populations of an invasive tree outperform their native conspecifics

    Hirsch, H., Hensen, I., Wesche, K., Renison, D., Wypior, C., Hartmann, M. & von Wehrden, H., 13.10.2016, In: AoB PLANTS. 8, 11 p., plw071.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Thermochemical heat storage materials: Performance of mixed salt hydrates

    Rammelberg, H. U., Osterland, T., Priehs, B., Opel, O. & Ruck, W. K. L., 15.10.2016, In: Solar Energy. 136, p. 571-589 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Understanding role models for change: a multilevel analysis of success factors of grassroots initiatives for sustainable consumption

    Grabs, J., Langen, N., Maschkowski, G. & Schäpke, N., 15.10.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 134 , Part A, p. 98-111 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Welfare with or without growth? Potential lessons from the German healthcare system

    Fischer, M., 25.10.2016, In: Sustainability. 8, 11, p. 1-14 14 p., 1088.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Assembly Theory for Restoring Ecosystem Structure and Functioning: Timing is Everything?

    Temperton, V. M., Baasch, A., Von Gillhaussen, P. & Kirmer, A., 11.2016, Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Palmer, M. A., Zedler, J. B. & Falk, D. A. (eds.). 2 ed. Washington: Island Press, p. 245-270 26 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published

    A Conceptual Structure of Justice - Providing a Tool to Analyse Conceptions of Justice

    Stumpf, K. H., Becker, C. U. & Baumgaertner, S., 01.11.2016, In: Ethical Theory and Moral Practice . 19, 5, p. 1187-1202 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Carbon footprinting of large product portfolios. Extending the use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems to carbon information management

    Zvezdov, D. & Hack, S., 01.11.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 135, p. 1267-1275 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Cascade thermochemical storage with internal condensation heat recovery for better energy and exergy efficiencies

    N’Tsoukpoe, K. E., Osterland, T., Opel, O. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.11.2016, In: Applied Energy. 181, p. 562-574 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Experimental and in silico assessment of fate and effects of the antipsychotic drug quetiapine and its bio- and phototransformation products in aquatic environments

    Herrmann, M., Menz, J., Gassmann, M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.11.2016, In: Environmental Pollution. 218, p. 66-76 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review