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. 2018
  2. Published

    Towards a Cyclical Concept of Real-World Laboratories: A Transdisciplinary Research Practice for Sustainability Transitions

    Wanner, M., Hilger, A., Westerkowski, J., Rose, M., Stelzer, F. & Schäpke, N., 03.04.2018, In: DISP. 54, 2, p. 94-114 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Transformation in a changing climate: a research agenda

    Fazey, I., Moug, P., Allen, S., Beckmann, K., Blackwood, D., Bonaventura, M., Burnett, K., Danson, M., Falconer, R., Gagnon, A. S., Harkness, R., Hodgson, A., Holm, L., Irvine, K. N., Low, R., Lyon, C., Moss, A., Moran, C., Naylor, L., O'Brien, K., Russell, S., Skerratt, S., Rao-Williams, J. & Wolstenholme, R., 03.04.2018, In: Climate and Development. 10, 3, p. 197-217 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Storytelling: Ein Ansatz zum Umgang mit Komplexität in der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation?

    Fischer, D. & Storksdieck, M., 05.04.2018, Zwischen Ohnmacht und Zuversicht?: Vom Umgang mit Komplexität in der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation. München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 161-176 16 p. (DBU-Umweltkommunikation; vol. 10).

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

  5. Published

    Die Formatfrage stellen. Das alternative Medienzentrum FC⚡MC zum G20-Gipfel

    Leistert, O., Bergermann, U., Grimm, M. & Keil, S., 12.04.2018, In: Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft. 10, 18-1, p. 111-129 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Farmer Perceptions of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Scavengers: What, Who, and to Whom

    Morales-Reyes, Z., Martín-López, B., Moleón, M., Mateo-Tomás, P., Botella, F., Margalida, A., Donázar, J. A., Blanco, G., Pérez, I. & Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., 15.04.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 2, 11 p., e12392.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Effectiveness of an Internet- and App-Based Intervention for College Students With Elevated Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Harrer, M., Adam, S. H., Fleischmann, R. J., Baumeister, H., Auerbach, R., Bruffaerts, R., Cuijpers, P., Kessler, R. C., Berking, M., Lehr, D. & Ebert, D. D., 23.04.2018, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 20, 4, 16 p., e136.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Taxonomic revision of the Graphipterus serrator (Forskål) group (Coleoptera, Carabidae): an increase from five to 15 valid species

    Renan, I., Assmann, T. & Freidberg, A., 26.04.2018, In: ZooKeys. 2018, 753, p. 23-82 60 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    From lignin to nylon: Cascaded chemical and biochemical conversion using metabolically engineered Pseudomonas putida

    Kohlstedt, M., Starck, S., Barton, N., Stotzenberger, J., Selzer, M., Mehlmann, K., Schneider, R., Pleißner, D., Rinkel, J., Dickschat, J. S., Venus, J., van Duuren, J. N. J. H. & Wittmann, C., 05.2018, In: Metabolic Engineering. 47, May 2018, p. 279-293 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The environmental performance of participatory and collaborative governance: A framework of causal mechanisms

    Newig, J., Challies, E., Jager, N. W., Kochskämper, E. & Adzersen, A., 05.2018, In: Policy Studies Journal. 46, 2, p. 269-297 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Innovative Höchstspannungsfreileitungssysteme - technische, landschaftsbildliche, ökologische und rechtliche Aspekte

    Lutz, L. M., Reutter, L., Butzeck, C., Runge, K. & Schomerus, C.-T., 01.05.2018, In: Natur und Landschaft. 93, 5, p. 201-207 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review