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. 2020
  2. Published

    Pathways of Conflict: Lessons from the Cultivation of MON810 in Germany in 2005–2008 for Emerging Conflicts over New Breeding Techniques

    Friedrich, B., 01.01.2020, In: Sustainability. 12, 1, 17 p., 144.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2021: Hartholz-Auenwald (Ficario-Ulmetum)

    Härdtle, W., Bergmeier, E., Fichtner, A., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Remy, D., Schneider, S., Schwabe, A., Tischew, S. & Dierschke, H., 01.01.2020, In: Tuexenia. 40, p. 373-399 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Co-Creation of Social Entrepreneurial Opportunities with Refugees

    Harima, A. & Freudenberg, J., 02.01.2020, In: Journal of Social Entrepreneurship. 11, 1, p. 40-64 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Harmonising biodiversity conservation and food security in southwestern Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Rodrigues, P., Shumi, G., Hylander, K., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Jiren, T. S., Mausbach, M., Abson, D., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 02.01.2020, 1 ed. Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd. 166 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  7. Published

    The hidden power of language: How “value creation accounting” influences decisions on expenditures, cost reductions and staff costs

    Hummel, P. & Hörisch, J., 06.01.2020, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 11, 1, p. 187-206 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Discrete-Point Analysis of the Energy Demand of Primary versus Secondary Metal Production

    Schäfer, P. & Schmidt, M., 07.01.2020, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 54, 1, p. 507-516 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Efficacy of a Self-Help Web-Based Recovery Training in Improving Sleep in Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial in the General Working Population

    Behrendt, D., Ebert, D. D., Spiegelhalder, K. & Lehr, D., 07.01.2020, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 22, 1, 18 p., e13346.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Hydrological tracers for assessing transport and dissipation processes of pesticides in a model constructed wetland system

    Fernández-Pascual, E., Bork, M., Hensen, B. & Lange, J., 08.01.2020, In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 24, 1, p. 41-60 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Arzneimittelrückstände in Trinkwasser und Gewässern: Endbericht zum TA-Projekt

    Klauer, B., Aicher , C., Bratan, T., Eberle, U., Hillenbrand , T., Kümmerer, K., Reuter , W., Schiller, J., Schulte-Römer , N., Schramm, E., Tettenborn, F., Völker, C. & Walz , A., 09.01.2020, Köln: Bundesanzeiger Verlag, 146 p. (TAB-Arbeitsbericht ; no. 183)(Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen; no. 19/16430).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions