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

    Toward comparative institutional analysis of polycentric social-ecological systems governance

    Thiel, A. & Moser, C., 2018, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 28, 4, p. 269-283 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Toward “hardened” accountability? Analyzing the European Union's hybrid transnational governance in timber and biofuel supply chains

    Moser, C. & Leipold, S., 01.2021, In: Regulation & Governance. 15, 1, p. 115-132 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Toward holistic corporate sustainability-Developing employees' action competence for sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises through training

    Schroeder, S., Wiek, A., Farny, S. & Luthardt, P., 05.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 4, p. 1650-1669 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Towards a caring transdisciplinary research practice: navigating science, society and self

    Sellberg, M. M., Cockburn, J., Holden, P. B. & Lam, D. P. M., 23.06.2021, In: Ecosystems and People. 17, 1, p. 292-305 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Environmental Management Accounting: Links Between Business Actors and Environmental Management Accounting Tools

    Burrit, R. L., Hahn, T. & Schaltegger, S., 07.2002, In: Australian Accounting Review. 12, 27, p. 39-50 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Environmental Management Accounting: Links Between Business Actors and Environmental Management Accounting Tools

    Burritt, R., Hahn, T. & Schaltegger, S., 2003, Articles of Merit 2003 Competition. New York, NY: International Federation of Accountants, p. 93-109 17 p.

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

  7. Published

    Towards a Conceptual Framework of Business Models for Sustainability

    Lüdeke-Freund, F., 2010, Knowledge Collaboration & Learning for Sustainable Innovation : Conference Proceedings. Wever, R., Quist, J., Tukker, A., Woudstra, J., Boons, F. & Beute, N. (eds.). Delft: Technische Universiteit Delft, 28 p.

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

  8. Published

    Towards a Cyclical Concept of Real-World Laboratories: A Transdisciplinary Research Practice for Sustainability Transitions

    Wanner, M., Hilger, A., Westerkowski, J., Rose, M., Stelzer, F. & Schäpke, N., 03.04.2018, In: DISP. 54, 2, p. 94-114 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Towards a global understanding of tree mortality

    International Tree Mortality Network, Senf, C., Esquivel-Muelbert, A., Pugh, T. A. M. & Klipel, J., 03.2025, In: New Phytologist. 245, 6, p. 2377-2392 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  10. Published

    Towards a more sustainable metal use – Lessons learned from national strategy documents

    Weiser, A., Bickel, M., Kümmerer, K. & Lang, D. J., 01.10.2020, In: Resources Policy. 68, 12 p., 101770.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review