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. 2021
  2. Published

    A new Parazuphium Jeannel, 1942 species (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from the Zagros Mountains in Iran

    Wrase, D. W. & Assmann, T., 18.01.2021, In: ZooKeys. 2021, 1011, p. 41-49 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship

    Farny, S. & Binder, J., 19.01.2021, World Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurship. Dana, L. P. (ed.). 2 ed. Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 605-611 7 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  4. Published

    Pushing the Boundaries: Experience-Based Learning in Early Phases of Graduate Sustainability Curricula

    Birdman, J. M., Redman, A. & Lang, D. J., 22.01.2021, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 22, 2, p. 237-253 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Scientists’ Responsibility for Global Futures

    Caniglia, G., Zenk, L., Schernhammer, E., Bertau, M., Steiner, G., Kainz, M., Jaeger, C., Schlosser, P. & Laubichler, M. D., 22.01.2021, In: Science & Diplomacy. 2021, Special Issue Januar/2021, p. online

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    The role of semi‐open habitats as dispersal corridors for plant species of woodlands and open habitats

    Travers, E., Pitz, W., Fichtner, A., Matthies, D. & Härdtle, W., 24.01.2021, In: Applied Vegetation Science. 24, 1, 12 p., e12526.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Business experimentation for sustainability: Emerging perspectives

    Bocken, N. M. P., Weissbrod, I. & Antikainen, M., 25.01.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 281, 6 p., 124904.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  8. Published

    A pluralistic and integrated approach to action-oriented knowledge for sustainability

    Caniglia, G., Lüderitz, C., von Wirth, T., Fazey, I., Martín-López, B., Hondrila, K., König, A., Wehrden, H., Schäpke, N., Laubichler, M. D. & Lang, D. J., 02.2021, In: Nature Sustainability. 4, 2, p. 93-100 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Efficacy and Moderators of Internet-Based Interventions in Adults with Subthreshold Depression: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

    Reins, J. A., Buntrock, C., Zimmermann, J., Grund, S., Harrer, M., Lehr, D., Baumeister, H., Weisel, K., Domhardt, M., Imamura, K., Kawakami, N., Spek, V., Nobis, S., Snoek, F., Cuijpers, P., Klein, J. P., Moritz, S. & Ebert, D. D., 02.2021, In: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 90, 2, p. 94-106 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Need Satisfaction and Optimal Functioning at Leisure and Work: A Longitudinal Validation Study of the DRAMMA Model

    Kujanpaa, M., Syrek, C., Lehr, D., Kinnunen, U., Reins, J. A. & de Bloom, J., 02.2021, In: Journal of Happiness Studies. 22, 2, p. 681-707 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Impact of high carbon amendments and pre-crops on soil bacterial communities

    Kamau, C. W., van Duijnen, R., Schmid, C. A. O., Balàzs, H. E., Roy, J., Rillig, M., Schröder, P., Radl, V., Temperton, V. M. & Schloter, M., 01.02.2021, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 57, 2, p. 305-317 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review