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
Towards a thick understanding of sustainability transitions - Linking transition management, capabilities and social practices
Rauschmayer, F., Bauler, T. & Schäpke, N., 01.01.2015, In: Ecological Economics. 109, p. 211-221 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Nachhaltige und demokratische Gestaltung der Energiewende: Der Beitrag sozial-ökologischer Regionalplanungsforschung
Heilmann, S., 10.02.2015, In: vhw Forum Wohneigentum. 7, 1, p. 49-54 6 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research
- Published
Quality System Development at the University of Graz: Lessons Learned from the Case of RCE Graz-Styria
Zimmermann, F. M., Raggautz, A., Maier, K., Drage, T., Mader, M., Diethart, M. & Meyer, J., 2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Transformation of Learning and Society . Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 131-152 22 p. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Biofuel Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Review of recent Experiences and Future Prospects
Bailis, R., Solomon, B. D., Moser, C. & Hildebrandt, T., 03.09.2014, In: Biofuels. 5, 5, p. 469-485 17 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Transdisciplinarity in social-ecological research: Constraints, challenges and opportunities: Reflections on personal experience
Hofmeister, S., 2018, Transdisciplinary Research and Sustainability: Collaboration, Innovation and Transformation. Padmanaban, M. (ed.). 1 ed. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 66-82 17 p. ( Routledge Studies in Environment, Culture and Society).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research
- Published
(Re)Produktivität als ein sozial-ökologisches „Brückenkonzept“
Biesecker, A. & Hofmeister, S., 2015, Nachhaltigkeit anders denken: Veränderungspotenziale durch Geschlechterperspektiven. Katz, C., Heilmann, S., Thiem, A., Moths, K., Koch, L. & Hofmeister, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 77-95 15 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research
- Published
Stabilizing the grid with regional virtual power plants
Meister, M., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law In The EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom Up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 99-120 22 p. (New horizons in environmental and energy law).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Vorwort
Michelsen, G. & Chantelau, F., 2001, Umweltmanagement an Hochschulen: Dokumentation eines Workshops vom Januar 2000 an der Universität Lüneburg. Müller, J., H. G. & Bastenhorst, K.-O. (eds.). Frankfurt/Main: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 7-8 2 p. (Innovation in den Hochschule: Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 4).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Other › Transfer
- Published
Rational Socially Responsible Investment
Peylo, B. T., 30.09.2014, In: Corporate Governance. 14, 5, p. 699-713 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
A three-dimensional framework to explore corporate sustainability activities in the mining industry: Current status and challenges ahead
Fuisz-Kehrbach, S.-K., 01.12.2015, In: Resources Policy. 46, 1, p. 101-115 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review