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

    Integrating corporate sustainability assessment, management accounting, control, and reporting

    Maas, K., Schaltegger, S. & Crutzen, N., 10.11.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 136, Part A, p. 237-248 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Efficacy of an internet-based self-help intervention to reduce co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression symptoms in adults: Study protocol of a three-arm randomised controlled trial

    Schaub, M. P., Blankers, M., Lehr, D., Boss, L., Riper, H., Dekker, J., Goudriaan, A. E., Maier, L. J., Haug, S., Amann, M., Dey, M., Wenger, A. & Ebert, D. D., 01.05.2016, In: BMJ Open. 6, 5, 13 p., e011457.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    A synthesis for everyone: 5 years of work in Romania

    Fischer, J., 16.03.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  4. Published

    Impressions from a conference: sustainable land management

    Fischer, J., 08.03.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  5. Published

    Importance of actors and agency in sustainability transitions: A systematic exploration of the literature

    Fischer, L. B. & Newig, J., 13.05.2016, In: Sustainability. 8, 5, 21 p., 476.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    CSR communication on corporate websites compared across continents

    Hetze, K. & Winistörfer, H., 06.06.2016, In: International Journal of Bank Marketing. 34, 4, p. 501-528 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    A novel bioenergy feedstock in Latin America? Cultivation potential of Acrocomia aculeata under current and future climate conditions

    Plath, M., Moser, C., Bailis, R., Brandt, P., Hirsch, H., Klein, A. M., Walmsley, D. & von Wehrden, H., 01.08.2016, In: Biomass and Bioenergy. 91, p. 186-195 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The role of gestures in a teacher-student-discourse about atoms

    Abels, S. J., 06.07.2016, In: Chemistry education Research and Practice. 17, 3, p. 618-628 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Model of mobility demands for future short distance public transport systems

    Sandau, A., Marx Gómez, J., Stamer, D., Wagner vom Berg, B. & Halberstadt, J., 07.08.2016, Conf-IRM 2016 Proceedings. AIS eLibrary, 13 p.

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

  10. Published

    Proof of concept: Enterprise Crowdfunding

    Marx Gómez, J., Sandau, A., Sevimli, K., Schmitt, C. & Halberstadt, J., 07.08.2016, Conf-IRM 2016 Proceedings. AIS eLibrary, 6 p.

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