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. 2023
  2. Published

    Extension of Biodiesel Aging Mechanism–the Role and Influence of Methyl Oleate and the Contribution of Alcohols Through the Use of Solketal

    Türck, J., Schmitt, F., Anthofer, L., Türck, R., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 08.09.2023, In: ChemSusChem. 16, 17, 10 p., e202300263.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. E-pub ahead of print

    A Multivariate Method for Dynamic System Analysis: Multivariate Detrended Fluctuation Analysis Using Generalized Variance

    Wallot, S., Irmer, J. P., Tschense, M., Kuznetsov, N., Højlund, A. & Dietz, M., 14.09.2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Topics in Cognitive Science. 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Utilization of Brewer’s Spent Grains and Agricultural Residues in Pig Feed Formation

    Stahn, T., Storandt, R., Grebenteuch, S., Rohn, S., May, D., Dolsdorf, C. & Pleissner, D., 15.09.2023, In: Sustainability. 15, 18, 11 p., 13774.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Accounting for corporate environmental rebounds. A conceptual approach

    Egan, M. & Schaltegger, S., 20.09.2023, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 419, 8 p., 138175.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    What predicts the alleviation of Covid-related future anxiety in schoolchildren 6 to 9 months into the pandemic?

    Voltmer, K. & von Salisch, M., 20.09.2023, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 14, 8 p., 1230301.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Identification of structure-biodegradability relationships for ionic liquids - clustering of a dataset based on structural similarity

    Amsel, A. K., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 29.09.2023, In: Green Chemistry . 25, 22, p. 9226-9250 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Cross-case knowledge transfer in transformative research: enabling learning in and across sustainability-oriented labs through case reporting

    Bernert, P., Wahl, D., von Wehrden, H. & Lang, D. J., 30.09.2023, In: Urban Transformations. 5, 1, 19 p., 12.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Leverage points and levers of inclusive conservation in protected areas

    Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Palomo, I., Lo, V. B., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Filyushkina, A., Fischborn, M., Raymond, C. M. & Plieninger, T., 10.2023, In: Ecology and Society. 28, 4, 18 p., 7.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Management guidelines to address cultural challenges and facilitate values-based innovation through gamification

    Breuer, H., Ivanov, K. & Abril, C., 10.2023, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management. 27, 3-4, p. 208-236 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Tree diversity effects on litter decomposition are mediated by litterfall and microbial processes

    Beugnon, R., Eisenhauer, N., Bruelheide, H., Davrinche, A., Du, J., Haider, S., Hähn, G., Saadani, M., Singavarapu, B., Sünnemann, M., Thouvenot, L., Wang, Y., Wubet, T., Xue, K. & Cesarz, S., 10.2023, In: Oikos. 2023, 10, 13 p., e09751.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review