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. 2019
  2. Published

    Land Take and Soil Sealing—Drivers, Trends and Policy (Legal) Instruments: Insights from European Cities

    Naumann, S., Frelih-Larsen, A., Prokop, G., Ittner, S., Reed, M., Mills, J., Morari, F., Verzandvoort, S., Albrecht, S., Bjuréus, A., Siebielec, G. & Miturski, T., 2019, International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy 2018. Ginzky, H., Dooley, E., Heuser, I. L., Kasimbazi, E., Markus, T. & Qin, T. (eds.). Cham: Springer Schweiz, p. 83-112 30 p. (International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy ; vol. 2018).

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

  3. Published

    Leadership and Goal setting for Sustainable Innovation Projects in Large Businesses

    Weissbrod, I., 2019, Innovation for sustainability: Business transformations towards a better world. Bocken, N. M. P., Ritala, P., Albareda, L. & Verburg, R. (eds.). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 135-155 21 p. (Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business in Association with Future Earth).

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

  4. Published

    Learning in participatory environmental governance – its antecedents and effects. Findings from a case survey meta-analysis

    Newig, J., Jager, N. W., Kochskämper, E. & Challies, E., 2019, In: Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. 21, 3, p. 213-227 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Mindfulness, Education, and the Sustainable Development Goals

    Frank, P., Fischer, D. & Wamsler, C., 2019, Quality Education. Leal Filho, W., Azul, A. M., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P. G. & Wall, T. (eds.). Cham: Springer, 11 p. (Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; vol. 6).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  6. Published

    Miteinander forschen zwischen Universität und Naturpark Wildeshauser Geest

    Engbers, M., Riechers, M. & Vilsmaier, U., 2019, (Bio)Diversitätskorridor. Vielfalt als Ausgangspunkt für Mensch und Natur im Landkreis Oldenburg, artecology_network e.V. & Leverage Points for Sustainability Transformation, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, p. 78-81 4 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  7. Published

    Natur und Landschaft

    Mölders, T. & Hofmeister, S., 2019, Handbuch Landschaft: RaumFragen: Stadt – Region – Landschaft. Kühne, O., Weber, F., Beer, K. & Jenal, C. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer, p. 469-478 10 p. (RaumFragen: Stadt - Region - Landschaft).

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

  8. Published

    Naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht inklusiv gestalten (Nawi-In): Ein Vergleich der Primar- und Sekundarstufe I

    Brauns, S., Egger, D., Abels, S. & Barth, M., 2019, Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung als Grundlage für berufliche und gesellschaftliche Teilhabe: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung in Kiel 2018. Maurer, C. (ed.). Regensburg: Universität Regensburg, p. 675-678 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; vol. 39).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  9. Published

    Non-identity – So what? A political scientist’s perspective on a curious but somehow arbitrary problem

    Rose, M., 2019, In: Intergenerational Justice Review. 5, 2, p. 54-55 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    “Normality” Revisited: Fieldwork and Family

    Dannenberg, J., 2019, Affective Dimensions of Fieldwork and Ethnography. Stodulka, T., Dinkelaker, S. & Thajib, F. (eds.). Cham: Springer Schweiz, p. 167-179 13 p. (Theory and History in the Human and Social Sciences).

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

  11. Published

    Performance measurement in sustainable supply chain management: linking research and practice

    Beske-Janssen, P., Schaltegger, S. & Liedke, S., 2019, Handbook on the Sustainable Supply Chain. Sarkis, J. (ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 331-356 26 p. (Research handbooks in business and management series).

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