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

    Water quantity and quality dynamics of the THC - Tuyamuyun hydroengineering complex - and implications for reservoir operation

    Froebrich, J., Bauer, M., Ikramova, M. & Olsson, O., 09.2007, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 14, 6, p. 435-442 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Reliving the past in a changed environment: Hydropower ambitions, opportunities and constraints in Tajikistan

    Wegerich, K., Olsson, O. & Froebrich, J., 01.07.2007, In: Energy Policy. 35, 7, p. 3815-3825 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Tag- und Nachtaktivität von Spinnen und Laufkäfern

    Drees, C., Hagen, K. & Huk, T., 04.2007, In: Praxis der Naturwissenschaften - Biologie in der Schule. 56, 3, p. 25-31 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  4. Published

    An analysis of the requirements for DSS on integrated river basin management

    Evers, M., 2008, In: Management of Environmental Quality : an International Journal. 19, 1, p. 37-53 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Improvement of GC sensitivity for polar and nonpolar PAHs by using a deactivated liner

    Meyer, D., Dressler, H. & Ruck, W., 02.2007, In: LC-GC North America. 25, 2, p. 180-190 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Ärgerregulierung bei jungen mit ADHS

    Bonekamp, E. & von Salisch, M., 01.05.2007, In: Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie. 35, 3, p. 189-198 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Cradle-to-cradle design: creating healthy emissions - a strategy for eco-effective product and system design

    Braungart, M., McDonough, W. & Bollinger, A., 01.09.2007, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 15, 13-14, p. 1337-1348 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Effects of pesticides on community structure and ecosystem functions in agricultural streams of three biogeographical regions in Europe

    Schäfer, R. B., Caquet, T., Siimes, K., Mueller, R., Lagadic, L. & Liess, M., 01.09.2007, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 382, 2-3, p. 272-285 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Development and application of a simplified sampling method for volatile polyfluorinated alkyl substances in indoor and environmental air

    Jahnke, A., Huber, S., Temme, C., Kylin, H. & Berger, U., 14.09.2007, In: Journal of Chromatography A. 1164, 1-2, p. 1-9 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    College and sustainability - A international dialogue

    Franz-Balsen, A. & Adomssent, M., 2007, In: GAIA. 16, 3, p. 232-234 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review