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. Published

    A cross-scale assessment of productivity–diversity relationships

    Craven, D., van der Sande, M. T., Meyer, C., Gerstner, K., Bennett, J. M., Giling, D. P., Hines, J., Phillips, H. R. P., May, F., Bannar-Martin, K. H., Chase, J. M. & Keil, P., 01.11.2020, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 29, 11, p. 1940-1955 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Action, research and participation: roles of researchers in sustainability transitions

    Wittmayer, J. M. & Schäpke, N., 24.10.2014, In: Sustainability Science. 9, 4, p. 483-496 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Action research in science education: an analytical review of the literature

    Laudonia, I., Mamlok-Naaman, R., Abels, S. & Eilks, I., 27.05.2018, In: Educational Action Research. 26, 3, p. 480-495 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Activating an Integrative Mindset Improves the Subjective Outcomes of Value-Driven Conflicts

    Schuster, C., Harinck, F. & Trötschel, R., 01.02.2023, In: Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 16, 1, p. 80-99 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Active First Movers vs. Late Free-Riders? An Empirical Analysis of UN PRI Signatories' Commitment

    Bauckloh, T., Schaltegger, S., Utz, S., Zeile, S. & Zwergel, B., 01.2023, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 182, 3, p. 747-781 35 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Activities of prenylphenol derivatives from fruitbodies of Albatrellus spp. on the human and rat vanilloid receptor 1 (VR 1) and characterisation of the novel natural product, confluentin

    Hellwig, V., Nopper, R., Mauler, F., Freitag, J., Ji-Kai, L., Zhi-Hui, D. & Stadler, M., 01.04.2003, In: Archiv der Pharmazie. 336, 2, p. 119-126 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Activity- vs. structural-oriented treatment approach for frozen shoulder: A randomized controlled trial

    Horst, R., Maicki, T., TrAbka, R., Albrecht, S., Schmidt, K., Mtel, S. & Von Piekartz, H., 01.05.2017, In: Clinical Rehabilitation. 31, 5, p. 686-695 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Actor analysis as a tool for exploring the decision-making processes in environmental governance

    Zahradník, M., Dlouhá, J. & Burandt, S., 2015, Exploring regional sustainable development issues: Using the case study approach in higher education. Barton, A. & Dlouhá, J. (eds.). Surrey: Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd., p. 34-78 45 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  9. Published

    Actor Analysis in Case Studies for (regional) Sustainable Development

    Burandt, S., Gralla, F. & John, B., 19.02.2015, In: Envigogika. 10, 1, 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Actor perceptions of polycentricity in wind power governance

    Juerges, N., Leahy, J. & Newig, J., 01.11.2018, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 28, 6, p. 383-394 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review