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

    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

  2. Published

    Wissensproduktion im Spannungsfeld von Care, Gender und Green Economy – Wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen als Impulsgeberinnen für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften?

    Segebart, D., Hackfort, S., König, C., Gottschlich, D., Roth, S. & Röhr, U., 2014, Berlin: LIFE e.V., 26 p. (CaGE Texte; no. 2).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  3. Published

    Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften im Spannungsfeld von Gender, Care und Green Economy: Debatten – Schnittstellen – blinde Flecken

    Gottschlich, D., Roth, S., Härtel, A., Röhr, U., Hackfort, S., Segebart, D. & König, C., 2014, Berlin: LIFE e.V., 27 p. (CaGE Texte; vol. 1).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  4. Published

    Integrale Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Der Beitrag der Integralen Theorie Ken Wilbers zu einer ganzheitlichen Sichtweise Nachhaltiger Entwicklung

    Schäpke, N., 2011, Saarbrücken: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. 188 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Supporting sustainability transitions by enhancing the human dimension via empowerment, social learning and social capital

    Schäpke, N., Omann, I., Mock, M., Wittmayer, J. M. & von Raggamby, A., 2013, Pathways, Transitions and Backcasting for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Lifestyles : SCORAI Europe Workshop Proceedings, SCORAI Europe & InContext Workshop, 7-8 October 2013, Rotterdam, The Netherlands . Quist, J., Wittmayer, J., Umpfenbach, K. & Bauler, T. (eds.). Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative Europe, p. 277-293 17 p. (Sustainable Consumption Transitions Series; vol. 3).

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

  6. Published

    Transition management as an approach to deal with climate change

    Wesely, J., Feiner, G., Omann, I. & Schäpke, N., 2013, Transformation in a Changing Climate: Proceedings; International Conference in Oslo 19 - 21 June 2013. U. O. O. (ed.). Oslo: University of Oslo, p. 43-52 10 p.

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

  7. Published

    Incorporating anthropogenic effects into trophic ecology: Predator - Prey interactions in a human-dominated landscape

    Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J., Nimmo, D. G., Fischer, J., Hanspach, J., Kuemmerle, T., Kehoe, L. & Ritchie, E. G., 07.09.2015, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 282, 1814, 8 p., 20151602.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    What role for frames in scalar conflicts?

    Jürges, N. & Newig, J., 01.12.2015, In: Land Use Policy. 49, p. 426-434 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Identification of phototransformation products of the antiepileptic drug gabapentin: Biodegradability and initial assessment of toxicity

    Herrmann, M., Menz, J., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 15.11.2015, In: Water Research. 85, p. 11-21 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Removal of the anti-cancer drug methotrexate from water by advanced oxidation processes: Aerobic biodegradation and toxicity studies after treatment

    Lutterbeck, C. A., Baginska, E., Machado, Ê. L. & Kümmerer, K., 12.2015, In: Chemosphere. 141, p. 290-296 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review