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

    The lens of polycentricity: Identifying polycentric governance systems illustrated through examples from the field of water governance

    Schröder, N. J. S., 01.07.2018, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 28, 4, p. 236-251 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The role of attitudes in technology acceptance management: Reflections on the case of hydrogen fuel cells in Europe

    Bögel, P., Oltra, C., Sala, R., Lores, M., Upham, P., Dütschke, E., Schneider, U. & Wiemann, P., 01.07.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 188, p. 125-135 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Legume intercropping with the bioenergy crop sida hermaphrodita on marginal soil

    Nabel, M., Schrey, S. D., Temperton, V. M., Harrison, L. & Jablonowski, N. D., 02.07.2018, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 9, 9 p., 905.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Precrop functional group identity affects yield of winter barley but less so high carbon amendments in a mesocosm experiment

    van Duijnen, R., Roy, J., Härdtle, W. & Temperton, V. M., 03.07.2018, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 9, 12 p., 912.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Kita und Kommune - Partner für eine nachhaltige Energiewende: oder: Was hat Bildung mit der Energiewende zu tun?

    Stoltenberg, U., 04.07.2018, Kulmbach: Mediengruppe Oberfranken. 82 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsTransfer

  7. Published

    Technological response options after the VW diesel scandal: Implications for engine CO2 emissions

    Andersen, O., Upham, P. & Aall, C., 04.07.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 7, 18 p., 2313.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Does SMS-support make a difference? Effectiveness of a two-week online-training to overcome procrastination. A randomized controlled trial

    Eckert, M., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Sieland, B. & Berking, M., 05.07.2018, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 9, JUL, 13 p., 1103.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published
  10. Published

    A path to clean water: Reduced chemicals input must complement wastewater treatment to ensure the safety of water resources

    Kümmerer, K., Dionysiou, D. D., Olsson, O. & Fatta-Kassinos, D., 20.07.2018, In: Science. 361, 6399, p. 222 - 224 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published