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. 2003
  2. Published

    Patterns of species composition and species richness in moist (ash-alder) forests of northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein)

    Härdtle, W., Oheimb, G., Meyer, H. & Westphal, C., 01.12.2003, In: Feddes Repertorium. 114, 7/8, p. 574-586 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published
  4. 2004
  5. Published

    AG Frauen - Die Weltfrauenkonferenz von Peking jährt sich zum zehnten Mal

    Grüning, J. & Mölders, T., 2004, In: Rundbrief Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung. 4, p. 22-

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Anmerkung zum Beschluss des OVG Münster v. 15.8.2003

    Schomerus, T., 2004, In: ZUR - Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht. 15, 1, p. 29 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsNotes on court decisionsResearch

  7. Published

    Auf dem Weg zum „Gender Greenstreaming“? Thematisierung von Geschlechterverhältnissen in Natur und Umweltschutzverbänden

    Mölders, T., Katz, C., Brouns, E., Grüning, J. & Mayer, M., 2004, In: Politische Ökologie. 87/88, Energiegeladen, p. 107-108 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Aus(nahme)fälle in der Nachwuchsförderung: Qualifizierungen im Themenfeld "Gender und Nachhaltigkeit"

    Katz, C. & Mölders, T., 2004, Geschlechterverhältnisse: Analysen aus Wissenschaft, Politik und Praxis. Hertzfeldt, H., Schäfgen, K. & Veth, S. (eds.). Dietz Verlag, p. 254-262 10 p. (Texte/Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung; vol. 18).

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

  9. Published

    Auswirkungen des kontrollierten Brennens auf die pflanzenverfügbaren Nährstoffe in Podsol-Böden (NSG "Lüneburger Heide")

    Falk, K., Härdtle, W. & Mohamed, A., 2004, Feuer und Beweidung als Instrumente zur Erhaltung magerer Offenlandschaften in Nordwestdeutschland: ökologische und sozioökonomische Grundlagen des Heidemanagements auf Sand- und Hochmoorstandorten. Keienburg, T. (ed.). Schneverdingen: Alfred Toepfer Akademie für Naturschutz, p. 108-111 4 p. (NNA-Berichte; vol. 17, no. 2).

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

  10. Published

    Auswirkungen verschiedener Pflegemaßnahmen auf die Nährstoffdynamik von Heideökosystemen

    Fottner, S., Niemeyer, T., Sieber, M. & Härdtle, W., 2004, Weidelandschaften und Wildnisgebiete: Vom Experiment zur Praxis. Finck, P., Härdtle, W., Redecker, B. & Riecken, U. (eds.). 1 ed. Münster: Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag GmbH, p. 183-199 17 p. (Schriftsreihe für Landwirtschaftpflege und Naturschutz; no. 78).

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

  11. Published

    Auswirkungen von Brand und Mahd auf die Ernährungssituation von Calluna vulgaris und Deschampsia flexuosa in Heideökosystemen

    Jirjahn, B., Härdtle, W. & Mohamed, A., 2004, Feuer und Beweidung als Instrumente zur Erhaltung magerer Offenlandschaften in Nordwestdeutschland: Ökologische und sozioökonomische Grundlagen des Heidemanagements auf Sand- und Hochmoorstandorten. Keienburg, T. (ed.). Schneverdingen: Alfred Toepfer Akademie für Naturschutz, p. 112-115 4 p. (NNA-Berichte; vol. 17, no. 2).

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

  12. Published

    Bodensaure Eichen- und Eichenmischwälder Europas

    Härdtle, W., 2004, In: Tuexenia. 24, p. 57-72 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch