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

    INSA – Indicator System Sustainable Agriculture

    Lutzenberger, A., Horn, A., Kahmann, B., Kilburg, M., Lichter, F., Mechsner, C., Priessner, C., Reinert, F., Röllig, M., Ruck, W., Stropahl, S. & Wilkens, V., 2012, Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. Milan: ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, p. 600-603 4 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    INSA Indicator System Sustainable Agriculture

    Lutzenberger, A., Buettner, C., Eichhoff, N., Enger, J., Erbs, M., Fichte, K., Gruen, J., Hillebrecht, C., Ingenillem, J., Klein, L., Meyer, N., Pitz, W., Pützstück, M., Schäffler, A. & Schwellinger, S., 2013, 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition: EUBCE 2013 Online Conference Proceedings. ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, p. 2001-2006 6 p. (European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE)).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    In search of maturity models in agritechs

    Mendes, J. A. J., Careta, C. B., Zuin, V. G. & Gerolamo, M. C., 01.10.2021, In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 839, 2, 10 p., 022083.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    In Search of the Dominant Rationale in Sustainability Management: Legitimacy- or Profit-Seeking?

    Schaltegger, S. & Hörisch, J., 01.10.2017, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 145, 2, p. 259-276 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    In search of the Holy Grail of Rodent control: Step-by-step implementation of safe and sustainable-by-design principles on the example of rodenticides

    Hohenberger, J., Friesen, A., Wieck, S. & Kümmerer, K., 01.04.2022, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 25, 19 p., 100602.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    In search of the knowledge triangle for regional sustainable development: the role of universities

    Adomßent, M., 2011, Multi-Actor Learning for Sustainable Regional Development in Europe: A Handbook of Best Practice. Guildford: Grosvenor House Publishing, p. 5-18 14 p.

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

  7. Published

    Inside honeybee hives: Impact of natural propolis on the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and viruses

    Drescher, N., Klein, A. M., Neumann, P., Yañez, O. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.03.2017, In: Insects. 8, 1, 18 p., 15.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Inside-Out and Outside-In: Twins between Sustainability Strategy, Performance Management, Reporting and Stakeholder Involvement

    Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 09.2015, BAM2015 Conference Proceedings: The Value of Pluralism in Advancing Management Research, Education and Practice. British Academy of Management, 8 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Inside-out sustainability: The neglect of inner worlds

    Ives, C. D., Freeth, R. & Fischer, J., 01.01.2020, In: Ambio. 49, 1, p. 208-217 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Inside-sediment partitioning of PAH, PCB and organochlorine compounds and inferences on sampling and normalization methods

    Opel, O., Palm, W.-U., Steffen, D. & Ruck, W., 04.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 4, p. 924-931 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review