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. 2022
  2. Published

    Videobasierte Professionalisierung von angehenden Lehrkräften für die Gestaltung inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Sachunterrichts

    Benthien, S., Brauns, S. & Abels, S., 28.06.2022, Studentische Forschung im Praxissemester: Fallbeispiele aus der Lehrkräftebildung. Beckmann, T., Ehmke, T. & Besser, M. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 78–98 21 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Sense of Place in Spatial Planning: Applying Instrumental and Deliberative Approaches at the River Lahn

    Gottwald, S., 30.06.2022, In: Landscape Online. 97, 13 p., 1100.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Assessing the contribution of products to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: a methodological proposal

    Eberle, U., Wenzig, J. & Mumm, N., 07.2022, In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 27, 7, p. 959-977 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Interaktive Videoformate für den naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht: Vom Rezipieren zum Interagieren

    Meier, M., Stinken-Rösner, L. & Zeller, D., 07.2022, In: Unterricht Biologie. 475, p. 44-47 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  6. Published

    Adaption der Dokumentarischen Methode zur Bearbeitung von naturwissenschaftsdidaktischen Fragestellungen

    Plotz, T., Koliander, B. & Abels, S., 01.07.2022, Dokumentarische Unterrichtsforschung in den Fachdidaktiken : Theoretische Grundlagen und Forschungspraxis. Martnes, M., Asbrand, B., Buchborn, T. & Menthe, J. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer, p. 155-175 21 p. (Rekonstruktive Bildungsforschung; vol. 31).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  7. Published

    Blue-green light is required for a maximized fatty acid unsaturation and pigment concentration in the microalga Acutodesmus obliquus

    Helamieh, M., Reich, M., Bory, S., Rohne, P., Riebesell, U., Kerner, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.07.2022, In: Lipids. 57, 4-5, p. 221-232 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Characterising and identifying gaps in sustainability assessments of tourism - a review

    Balas, M. & Abson, D. J., 01.07.2022, In: Tourism Management Perspectives. 43, 101004.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Confidence levels and likelihood terms in IPCC reports: a survey of experts from different scientific disciplines

    Kause, A., Bruine de Bruin, W., Persson, J., Thorén, H., Olsson, L., Wallin, A., Dessai, S. & Vareman, N., 01.07.2022, In: Climatic Change. 173, 1-2, 18 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    From negative to positive sustainability performance measurement and assessment? A qualitative inquiry drawing on framing effects theory

    Kühnen, M., Silva, S. & Hahn, R., 01.07.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 5, p. 1985-2001 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Inventory of biodegradation data of ionic liquids

    Amsel, A. K., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.07.2022, In: Chemosphere. 299, 134385.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review