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

    Tree species identity, canopy structure and prey availability differentially affect canopy spider diversity and trophic composition

    Wildermuth, B., Dönges, C., Matevski, D., Penanhoat, A., Seifert, C. L., Seidel, D., Scheu, S. & Schuldt, A., 10.2023, In: Oecologia. 203, 1-2, p. 37-51 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Algae Cultivation as Measure for the Sanitation of Organic Waste—A Case Study Based on the Alga Galdieria sulphuraria Grown on Food Waste Hydrolysate in a Continuous Flow Culture

    Pleissner, D. & Händel, N., 01.10.2023, In: Sustainability. 15, 19, 7 p., 14313.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Challenges and opportunities for grassland restoration: A global perspective of best practices in the era of climate change

    Lyons, K. G., Török, P., Hermann, J.-M., Kiehl, K., Kirmer, A., Kollmann, J., Overbeck, G. E., Tischew, S., Allen, E. B., Bakker, J. D., Brigham, C., Buisson, E., Crawford, K., Dunwiddie, P., Firn, J., Grobert, D., Hickman, K., Stradic, S. L. & Temperton, V. M., 01.10.2023, In: Global Ecology and Conservation. 46, 16 p., e02612.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Constraint breeds creativity: A brainstorming method to jumpstart out-of-the-box thinking for sustainability science

    Gould, R. K., Saito, T., Allen, K. E., Bonn, A., Chapman, M., Droz, L., Herrmann, T. M., Himes, A., Ishihara, H., Coelho-Junior, M. G., Katsue, F., Kenter, J. O., Muraca, B., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Pearson, J., Tadaki, M., Rono, B. J. & Tamura, N., 01.10.2023, In: BioScience. 73, 10, p. 703-710 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Pathways to water sustainability? A global study assessing the benefits of integrated water resources management

    Bilalova, S., Newig, J., Tremblay-Lévesque, L.-C., Roux, J., Herron, C. & Crane, S., 01.10.2023, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 343, 10 p., 118179.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    SMARTPHONE APPS FOR TINNITUS: A REVIEW ON INTERVENTION COMPONENTS AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE TECHNIQUES USED IN TINNITUS APPS

    Rinn, A., Goetsch, S., Hannibal, S., Lehr, D. & Weise, C., 01.10.2023, In: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 30, 1 Supplement, p. 548-548 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Spatial imaginaries in flood risk management: insights from a managed retreat initiative in upper Bavaria

    Walsh, C., Lennon, M., Scott, M. & Tubridy, F., 01.10.2023, In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 66, 13, p. 2668-2690 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Status quo on identified transformation products of organic ultraviolet filters and their persistence

    Jentzsch, F., Kümmerer, K. & Olsson, O., 01.10.2023, In: International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 45, S1, p. 101-126 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Transdisciplinary learning as a key leverage for sustainability transformations

    Barth, M., Jimenez-Aceituno, A., Lam, D., Bürgener, L. & Lang, D. J., 01.10.2023, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 64, 8 p., 101361.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch