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

    Reframing the Food–Biodiversity Challenge

    Fischer, J., Abson, D. J., Bergsten, A., Collier, N., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Hylander, K., Schultner, J. & Senbeta, F., 05.2017, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 32, 5, p. 335-345 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  2. Published

    Regional differences in soil pH niche among dry grassland plants in Eurasia

    Wagner, V., Chytrý, M., Zelený, D., von Wehrden, H., Brinkert, A., Danihelka, J., Hölzel, N., Jansen, F., Kamp, J., Lustyk, P., Merunková, K., Palpurina, S., Preislerová, Z. & Wesche, K., 05.2017, In: Oikos. 126, 5, p. 660-670 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Regional electricity models for community energy in germany: The role of governance structures

    Ehrtmann, M., Holstenkamp, L. & Becker, T., 19.02.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 4, p. 1-24 24 p., 2241.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Regionale StadtLandschaften

    Hofmeister, S. & Klee, A., 30.04.2015, In: Raumforschung und Raumordnung. 73, 2, p. 77-78 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  5. Published

    Regionale Unterschiede der Netznutzungsentgelte: Hindernis für eine faire Energiewende?

    Plenz, M., Meister, M., Doliwa, M. & Obbelode, F., 2014, In: Zeitschrift für neues Energierecht. 18, 6, p. 540 - 543 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Regionale Weiterbildung – Chance oder Sackgasse für Frauen in Sozialen und Gesundheitsberufen

    Mayer, M., 2001, In: Zeitschrift für Frauenforschung & Geschlechterstudien. 19, 4, p. 63-74 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Regionale Wertschöpfungsnetzwerke von Photovoltaik-Projektierungsunternehmen und deren ökonomischer Beitrag für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung

    Winkelmann, T., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 95 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  8. Published

    Regionalisierung der Energieversorgung und Förderung von Energiespeichern: Virtuelle Kraftwerke und dezentrale Stromspeicher

    Schomerus, T., 2012, Erneuerbare Energien: Ambivalenzen, Governance, Rechtsfragen. Ekhardt, F., Henning, B. & Unnerstall, H. (eds.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, Vol. 1. p. 227-252 26 p. (Beiträge zur Sozialwissenschaftlichen Nachhaltigkeitsforschung; vol. 1).

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

  9. Published

    Regional renewable energy: A string of legal and financial challenges

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 281-316 36 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  10. Published

    Regional renewable energy approaches: An introduction to exploring legal barriers and opportunities

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 3-9 7 p.

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