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
  2. Published

    Corporate Social Responsibility: Trend oder Modeerscheinung

    Müller, M. (Editor) & Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2008, München: oekom verlag GmbH. 262 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  3. Published

    40. Chronology and climate forcing of the last four interglacials

    Sirocko, F., Claussen, M., Litt, T., Fernanda Sánchez Goñi, M., Berger, A., Boettger, T., Diehl, M., Desprat, S., Delmonte, B., Degering, D., Frechen, M., A. Geyh, M., Groeger, M., Kageyama, M., Kaspar, F., Kühl, N., Kubatzki, C., Lohmann, G., Loutre, M. F., Müller, U., Rein, B., Rosendahl, W., Roucoux, K., Rousseau, D. D., Seelos, K., Siddall, M., Scholz, D., Spötl, C., Urban, B., Vautravers, M., Velichko, A., Wenzel, S., Widmann, M. & Wünnemann, B., 01.01.2007, In: Developments in Quaternary Science. 7, C, p. 597-614 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Informationstechnik als Erfolgsfaktor der lernenden Organisation

    Bonin, H. E. G., 1997, In: Verwaltung & Management. 3, 3, p. 155-158 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Nutrient leaching in dry heathland ecosystems: effects of atmospheric deposition and management

    Haerdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Niemeyer, M., Niemeyer, T., Aßmann, T. & Meyer, H., 01.11.2007, In: Biogeochemistry. 86, 2, p. 201-215 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Uncertainty and sustainability in the management of rangelands

    Quaas, M., Baumgärtner, S., Becker, C., Frank, K. & Müller, B., 20.04.2007, In: Ecological Economics. 62, 2, p. 251-266 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Ecological design & engineering for urban environments

    Braungart, M., Darlington, A., Garland, J., Lucey, W. P., Peck, S. & Peeters, J., 01.09.2008, In: Industrial Biotechnology. 4, 3, p. 211-223 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Isotopic composition of nitrate in five German rivers discharging into the North Sea

    Johannsen, A., Dähnke, K. & Emeis, K., 12.2008, In: Organic Geochemistry. 39, 12, p. 1678-1689 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    On the stabilization of parallel-chord girders for timber constructions

    Eilering, S. & Hente, C., 06.2008, In: Bauingenieur. 83, JUNE, p. 288-296 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review