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

    The Manager’s Job at BP: Decision Making and Responsibilities on the High Seas

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Zvezdov, D., 2013, In: International Journal of Case Studies in Management. 11, 2, p. 1-32 32 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  2. Published

    The marketing and public affairs of sustainability

    Breitbarth, T., Schaltegger, S. & Mahon, J., 08.2018, In: Journal of Public Affairs. 18, 3, 3 p., e1854.

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

  3. Published

    The means determine the end: Pursuing integrated valuation in practice

    Jacobs, S., Martín-López, B., Barton, D. N., Dunford, R., Harrison, P. A., Kelemen, E., Saarikoski, H., Termansen, M., García-Llorente, M., Gómez-Baggethun, E., Kopperoinen, L., Luque, S., Palomo, I., Priess, J. A., Rusch, G. M., Tenerelli, P., Turkelboom, F., Demeyer, R., Hauck, J., Keune, H. & Smith, R., 04.02.2018, In: Ecosystem Services. 29, C, p. 515-528 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Themes in the development of emotion regulation in childhood and adolescence and a transactional model

    Salisch, M., 26.03.2009, Regulating emotions: Culture, Social Necessity, and Biological Inheritance. Vandekerckhove, M. (ed.). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., p. 146-167 22 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  5. Published

    The model of educational reconstruction: A framework for the design of theory-based content specific interventions: The example of climate change

    Niebert, K. & Gropengießer, H., 2013, Educational design research. Plomp, T. & Nieveen, N. (eds.). Enschede: SLO, p. 511-531 21 p.

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

  6. Published

    The Monster and the polar bears: constructing the future knowledge landscape of synthetic biology to inform responsible innovation.

    Withycombe Keeler, L. & Foley, R. W., 02.01.2015, In: Journal of Responsible Innovation. 2, 1, p. 81 - 84 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    The more I got, the less I need? Efficacy of Internet-based guided self-help compared to online psychoeducation for major depressive disorder

    Reins, J. A., Boß, L., Lehr, D., Berking, M. & Ebert, D. D., 01.03.2019, In: Journal of Affective Disorders. 246, p. 695-705 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The multifaceted spectra of power − A participatory network analysis on power structures in diverse dryland regions

    Olofsson, V., Garcia, M. M., Castro, A. J., Calderón, S. C., Diallo, A. H., Aceituno, A. J., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Gonzalez, T. S., Silvino, A. S. & Aguiar, A. P., 01.07.2025, In: Global Environmental Change. 92, 12 p., 102984.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    The Myth of Bankability: Definition and Management in the Context of Photovoltaic Project Financing in Germany

    Hampl, N., Lüdeke-Freund, F., Flink, C., Olbert, S. & Ade, V., 2011, München: Goetzpartners & COLEXON, 27 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsTransfer

  10. Published

    The necessity of disinfected toilet brushes - information policy of companies on disinfectants in private homes

    Wieck, S., 23.01.2015, In: Environmental Sciences Europe. 27, 1, 9 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review