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

    Editorial: Sustainable public administration

    Heinrichs, H. & Laws, N., 01.06.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 11, 3 p., 6382.

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

  3. Published

    Entwicklung und Umsetzung eines Monitoringsystems zur Analyse der Akteursstruktur bei Freiflächen-Photovoltaik und der Windenergie an Land: Ergebnisse des Monitorings und Empfehlungen

    Weiler, K., Weber, A., Grashof, K., Holstenkamp, L. & Ehrtmann, M., 01.06.2021, Dressau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 203 p. (Climate Change; no. 49/2021).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  4. Published

    Investing into third generation nuclear power plants - Review of recent trends and analysis of future investments using Monte Carlo Simulation

    Wealer, B., Bauer, S., Hirschhausen, C. V., Kemfert, C. & Göke, L., 01.06.2021, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 143, 110836.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Klimaschutz: Die beste Schuldenbremse

    Kemfert, C., 01.06.2021, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 101, 6, p. 408-408 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  6. Published

    Leverage points for addressing marine and coastal pollution: A review

    Riechers, M., Brunner, B. P., Dajka, J. C., Dușe, I. A., Lübker, H. M., Manlosa, A. O., Sala, J. E., Schaal, T. & Weidlich, S., 01.06.2021, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 167, 10 p., 112263.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Sustainable consumption communication: A review of an emerging field of research

    Fischer, D., Reinermann, J. L., Guillen Mandujano, G., DesRoches, C. T., Diddi, S. & Vergragt, P. J., 01.06.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 300, 14 p., 126880.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    The new European database for chemicals of concern: How useful is SCIP for waste management?

    Friege, H., Zeschmar-Lahl, B., Kummer, B. & Wagner, J., 01.06.2021, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 21, 100430.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Promoting recovery in daily life: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

    Reis, D., Hart, A., Lehr, D. & Friese, M., 02.06.2021, In: BMC psychology. 9, 1, 15 p., 91.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Quality and Adoption of COVID-19 Tracing Apps and Recommendations for Development: Systematic Interdisciplinary Review of European Apps

    Kahnbach, L., Lehr, D., Brandenburger, J., Mallwitz, T., Jent, S., Hannibal, S., Funk, B. & Janneck, M., 02.06.2021, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23, 6, 18 p., e27989.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Leveraging Biodiversity Action From Plural Values: Transformations of Governance Systems

    Leventon, J., Duşe, I. A. & Horcea-Milcu, A. I., 04.06.2021, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9, 609853.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch