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

    Carbon Management Accounting and Reporting in Practice: A Case Study on Converging Emergent Approaches

    Gibassier, D. & Schaltegger, S., 07.09.2015, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 6, 3, p. 340-365 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Care economy: Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften aus feministischer Perspektive

    Gottschlich, D., 2008, Reale Utopien: Perspektiven für eine friedliche und gerechte Welt. p. 123-134 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  3. Published

    Care, Gender und Green Economy: Forschungsperspektiven und Chancengerechtigkeit nachhaltigen Wirtschaftens

    Röhr, U. (Editor), Segebart, D. (Editor) & Gottschlich, D. (Editor), 2014, Berlin, Lüneburg: LIFE e.V., 48 p. (CaGE-Texte ; vol. 3).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  4. Published

    Careless product use in access-based services: A rebound effect and how to address it

    Ackermann, L. & Tunn, V. S. C., 01.04.2024, In: Journal of Business Research. 177, 11 p., 114643.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Caring for natures? Naturschutz aus der Perspektive des Vorsorgenden Wirtschaftens.

    Hofmeister, S. & Mölders, T., 2013, Wege Vorsorgenden Wirtschaftens. Vorsorgendes Wirtschaften, N. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 85-114 29 p.

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

  6. Published

    Carl H. Lindroth und sein Beitrag zur Carabidologie

    Aßmann, T., Drees, C., Vermeulen, H. J. W. & Matern, A., 2007, In: Angewandte Carabidologie. 8, p. 77-83 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Carnivores’ contributions to people in Europe

    Palacios-Pacheco, S., Martín-López, B., Expósito-Granados, M., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Lozano, J., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Morales-Reyes, Z. & Castro, A. J., 08.2024, In: Ecology and Society. 29, 3, 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Carry on the Distribution of Power: Federalism in Germany

    Laws, N., 2013, O Federalista Atual: Teoria do Federalismo. Ramos, D. T. (ed.). Belo Horizonte: Arraes Editores, p. 501-521 21 p.

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

  9. Published

    Cascades of green: A review of ecosystem-based adaptation in urban areas

    Brink, E., Aalders, T., Ádám, D., Feller, R., Henselek, Y., Hoffmann, A., Ibe, K., Matthey-Doret, A., Meyer, M., Negrut, N. L., Rau, A. L., Riewerts, B., von Schuckmann, L., Törnros, S., von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J. & Wamsler, C., 01.01.2016, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 36, p. 111-123 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Cascade thermochemical storage with internal condensation heat recovery for better energy and exergy efficiencies

    N’Tsoukpoe, K. E., Osterland, T., Opel, O. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.11.2016, In: Applied Energy. 181, p. 562-574 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review