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

    Biodegradable green composites: It's never too late to mend

    Rafiee, K., Schritt, H., Pleissner, D., Kaur, G. & Brar, S. K., 01.08.2021, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 30, 100482.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Effectuation and causation in sustainable entrepreneurship: An empirical analysis

    Johnson, M. & Hörisch, J., 01.08.2021, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2021, 1, 11346.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Integrated Pedagogy for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Case of EIT Climate KIC

    Klapper, R. G., Oberstrass, T. & Upham, P., 01.08.2021, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2021, 1, 1 p., 105.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearch

  5. Published

    Nutrients addition regulates temperature sensitivity of maize straw mineralization

    Auwal, M., Singh, B. P., Chen, Z., Kumar, A., Pan, S., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 01.08.2021, In: Journal of Soils and Sediments. 21, 8, p. 2778-2790 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Reconciling conservation and development in protected areas of the Global South

    Loos, J., 01.08.2021, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 54, p. 108-118 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    “Take Care of You” – Efficacy of integrated, minimal-guidance, internet-based self-help for reducing co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression symptoms in adults: Results of a three-arm randomized controlled trial

    Baumgartner, C., Schaub, M. P., Wenger, A., Malischnig, D., Augsburger, M., Lehr, D., Blankers, M., Ebert, D. D. & Haug, S., 01.08.2021, In: Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 225, 10 p., 108806.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Timing matters: Distinct effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application timing on root system architecture responses

    van Duijnen, R., Uther, H., Härdtle, W., Temperton, V. & Kumar, A., 01.08.2021, In: Plant-Environment Interactions. 2, 4, p. 194-205 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Barth, M., 03.08.2021, Handbuch Transdisziplinäre Didaktik. Schmohl, T. & Philipp, T. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 35-44 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review

  10. Published

    Future-Proofing Fuel Cells: Critical Raw Material Governance in Sustainable Energy

    David, M., Lyth, S. M., Lindner, R. & Harrington, G. F., 12.08.2021, 1 ed. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. 135 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  11. Published

    Tectono-climatic controls of the early rift alluvial succession: Plio-Pleistocene Corinth Rift (Greece)

    Hemelsdaël, R., Charreau, J., Ford, M., Sekar Proborukmi, M., Malartre, F., Urban, B. & Blard, P.-H., 15.08.2021, In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 576, 21 p., 110507.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review