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 role of social identity in institutional work for sociotechnical transitions: The case of transport infrastructure in Berlin

    Becker, S., Bögel, P. & Upham, P., 01.01.2021, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 162, 11 p., 120385.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    The role of sustainability in nuclear energy plans: What do national energy strategies tell us?

    Gralla, F., John, B., Abson, D. J., Møller, A. P., Bickel, M., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2016, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 22, p. 94-106 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The Role of the Accountants in Corporate Sustainability Accounting. An Analysis from a Promotor Perspective

    Zvezdov, D., 2012, European Academy of Management (EURAM) : EURAM 2012 Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 97 1 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  4. Published

    The Role Of The Amu Darya Dams And Reservoirs In Future Water Supply In The Amu Darya Basin

    Olsson, O., Bauer, M., Ikramova, M. & Froebrich, J., 2008, Environmental Problems of Central Asia and their Economic, Social and Security Impacts. Qi, J. & Evered, K. T. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer, p. 277-292 16 p. (NATO science for peace and security series, Series C: Environmental security).

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

  5. Published

    The role of transdisciplinarity in building a decolonial bridge between science, policy, and practice

    Zonta, A. L., Jacobi, J., Mukhovi, S. M., Birachi, E., von Groote, P. & Abad, C. R., 23.05.2023, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 32, 1, p. 107-114 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    The role of tree crown on the performance of trees at individual and community levels: whole-phenotypic context matters

    Klipel, J., da Cunha Morales, D., Bordin, K. M., Picolotto, R. C., Scarton Bergamin, R. & Müller, S. C., 09.2024, In: Plant Ecology. 225, 9, p. 907-918 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    The Role of Trust in Natural Resource Management Conflicts: A Forestry Case Study from Germany

    Juerges, N., Viedma, A., Leahy, J. & Newig, J., 06.2018, In: Forest Science. 64, 3, p. 330-339 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The role of universities in fostering urban and regional sustainability

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2013, Institutional and Social Innovation for Sustainable Urban Development. Mieg, H. A. & Töpfer, K. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 393 - 411 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Published

    The roles of the sharing economy in promoting sustainability communication and practices in China

    Tong, Z., Miao, H. & Saleh, M. S. M., 29.12.2022, Sustainability Communication across Asia: Fundamental Principles, Digital Strategies and Community Engagement. Saleh, M. S. M., Rahman, N. A. A. & Kasuma, S. A. A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 31-43 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  10. Published

    The romanian grassland database (RGD): Historical background, current status and future perspectives

    Vassilev, K., Ruprecht, E., Alexiu, V., Becker, T., Beldean, M., Bita-Nicolae, C., Csergo, A. M., Dzhovanova, I., Filipova, E., Frink, J. P., Gafta, D., Georgieva, M., Germany, M. S., Goia, I., Gumus, M., Hennekens, S. M., Janišová, M., Knollová, I., Koleva, V., Kostadinova, S., Kuzmanovic, N., Loos, J., Mardari, C., Michl, T., Neblea, M. A., Nicoara, R. I., Novák, P., Öllerer, K., Onete, M., Palpurina, S., Paulini, I., Pedashenko, H., Puşcaş, M., Roman, A., Šibík, J., Sîrbu, C., Stancu, D. I., Sutcliffe, L. M. E., Szabó, A., Tomescu, C. V., Totev, E., Tsvetanov, B., Turtureanu, P. D., Vassileva, P., Velev, N. & Dengler, J., 01.03.2018, In: Phytocoenologia. 48, 1, p. 91-100 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review