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

    Towards more sustainable curricula

    Zuin, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 01.02.2021, In: Nature Reviews Chemistry. 5, 2, p. 76-77 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  3. Published

    Tree phylogenetic diversity structures multitrophic communities

    Staab, M., Liu, X., Assmann, T., Bruelheide, H., Buscot, F., Durka, W., Erfmeier, A., Klein, A. M., Ma, K., Michalski, S., Wubet, T., Schmid, B. & Schuldt, A., 01.02.2021, In: Functional Ecology. 35, 2, p. 521-534 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Tree-tree interactions and crown complementarity: the role of functional diversity and branch traits for canopy packing

    Hildebrand, M., Perles García, M. D., Kunz, M., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G. & Fichtner, A., 01.02.2021, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 50, p. 217-227 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Understanding drivers of human tolerance towards mammals in a mixed-use transfrontier conservation area in southern Africa

    Kansky, R., Kidd, M. & Fischer, J., 01.02.2021, In: Biological Conservation. 254, 10 p., 108947.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    University-linked programmes for sustainable entrepreneurship and regional development: how, and with what impact?

    Wagner, M., Hansen, E., Schaltegger, S. & Fichter, K., 01.02.2021, In: Small Business Economics. 56, 3, p. 1141-1158 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Woody plant species diversity as a predictor of ecosystem services in a social–ecological system of southwestern Ethiopia

    Shumi, G., Rodrigues, P., Hanspach, J., Härdtle, W., Hylander, K., Senbeta, F., Fischer, J. & Schultner, J., 01.02.2021, In: Landscape Ecology. 36, 2, p. 373-391 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Pesticide peak concentration reduction in a small vegetated treatment system controlled by chemograph shape

    Greiwe, J., Olsson, O., Kümmerer, K. & Lange, J., 02.02.2021, In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 25, 2, p. 497-509 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  9. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit erzählen: Durch Storytelling besser kommunizieren?

    Fischer, D. (Editor), Fücker, S. (Editor), Selm, H. (Editor) & Sundermann, A. (Editor), 04.02.2021, München : Oekom Verlag. 180 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  10. Published

    Solid Sorption Refrigeration With Calcium Chloride Methanolates on Technical Scale

    Neumann, K., Wiegand, M., Opel, O. & Korhammer, K., 04.02.2021, Proceedings of the 14th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference 2020 (IRES 2020). Stadler, I., Droege, P. & Trimborn, C. (eds.). Atlantis Press, p. 142-149 8 p. (Atlantis Highlights in Engineering; vol. 6).

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

  11. Published