School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research
- 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/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review