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

    Nachhaltigkeitskompetenz im Spannungsfeld zwischen Kontextabhängigkeit und Perspektiverweiterung

    Katz, C., Thiem, A., Moths, K. & Heilmann, S., 2014, Karriereverläufe in Forschung und Entwicklung: Bedingungen und Perspektiven im Spannungsfeld von Organisation und Individuum. Busolt, U., Weber, S., Wiegel, C. & Kronsbein, W. (eds.). Berlin: Logos Verlag, p. 307-330 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitskompetenz und Gender: Anforderungen und Hindernisse für Spitzen- und Nachwuchskräfte in nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Tätigkeitsbereichen

    Thiem, A. & Katz, C., 2015, Nachhaltigkeit anders denken: Veränderungspotenziale durch Geschlechterperspektiven. Katz, C., Heilmann, S., Thiem, A., Koch, L., Moths, K. & Hofmeister, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 231-255 24 p.

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

  3. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitskonzepte von Lehrenden im Kontext der Kompetenzentwicklung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Sundermann, A., 2016, Empirische Forschung zur Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung – Themen, Methoden und Trends: Themen, Methoden und Trends. Barth, M. & Rieckmann, M. (eds.). Leverkusen: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 219-223 4 p. ( Schriftenreihe „Ökologie und Erziehungswissenschaft“ der Kommission Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Erziehungswissenschaft (DGfE)).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement: Weiterbildung, Methoden, KMU

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2004, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 12 p. (CSM-Newsletter; vol. 1/2004)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  5. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement als Treiber von Unternehmenserfolg und Strukturwandel in Regionen

    Schaltegger, S. & Petersen, H., 2013, Unternehmensverantwortung wirkt!: Geteilte Wertschöpfung durch Corporate Responsibility - mit Praxisbeispielen aus der Metropolregion Hamburg. Taubken, N., Schindler, D. & Prigge, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 44-49 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement auf dem Vormarsch: Corporate Sustainability Barometer

    Harms, D., Schaltegger, S. & Windolph, S. E., 26.11.2010, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 24, 4, p. 10 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement bei deutschen Auslandsinvestitionen

    Schaltegger, S. & Schock, M., 2010, Investitionsgarantien der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Jahresbericht 2009: Direktinvestitionen Ausland. BMWi, PriceWaterhouseCoopers & Euler Hermes (eds.). Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, p. 48-49 2 p.

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

  8. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement im Spannungsfeld von inner- und außerbetrieblicher Interessenpolitik

    Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2003, Handbuch nachhaltige Entwicklung. Linne, G. & Schwarz, M. (eds.). Opladen: Verlag Leske + Budrich, p. 147-158 12 p.

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

  9. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement im Wandel der Zeit: Vom (gestrigen) betrieblichen Umweltschutz zur angestrebten (zukünftigen) unternehmerischen Nachhaltigkeitstransformation

    Schaltegger, S., 2022, Vom betrieblichen Umweltschutz zur großen Transformation: Festschrift für Prof. Dr. Maximilian Gege . Schleich, B. & Zwick, Y. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 71-80 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published