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

    Innovation durch Nachhaltiges Wirt­schaften: Handlungsempfehlungen

    Thieme, M., von Braun, J., Fischer, H., Günther, E., Hanagarth, H., Hesse, H. J., Jugel, C., Klein, A., Kratz, D., Putz, M., Schaltegger, S., Schauerte, O., Schell, U., Tschimpke, O., Wagner, B. & Werner, G., 2017, Berlin: Hightech-Forum, 16 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsTransfer

  2. Published

    Revisiting Carbon Disclosure and Performance: Legitimacy and Management Views

    Qian, W. & Schaltegger, S., 07.2017, In: The British Accounting Review. 49, 4, p. 365–379 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Governance change and governance learning in Europe: stakeholder participation in environmental policy implementation

    Challies, E., Newig, J., Kochskämper, E. & Jager, N. W., 03.04.2017, In: Policy and Society. 36, 2, p. 288-303 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Scarification in sub-Saharan Africa: Social skin, remedy and medical import

    Garve, R., Garve, M., Türp, J. C., Fobil, J. N. & Meyer, C. G., 06.2017, In: Tropical Medicine and International Health. 22, 6, p. 708-715 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Linking transitions to sustainability: A study of the societal effects of transition management

    Schäpke, N., Omann, I., Wittmayer, J. M., van Steenbergen, F. & Mock, M., 03.05.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 5, 36 p., 737.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Policy implementation through multi-level governance: analysing practical implementation of EU air quality directives in Germany

    Gollata, J. A. M. & Newig, J., 24.09.2017, In: Journal of European Public Policy. 24, 9, p. 1308-1327 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Delineating boundaries of social-ecological systems for landscape planning: A comprehensive spatial approach

    Martín-López, B., Palomo, I., García-Llorente, M., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Castro, A. J., García Del Amo, D., Gómez-Baggethun, E. & Montes, C., 01.07.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 66, p. 90-104 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Ecosystem services in global sustainability policies

    Geijzendorffer, I. R., Cohen-Shacham, E., Cord, A. F., Cramer, W., Guerra, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.08.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 74, p. 40-48 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Urbane Regenwasserversickerung als Eintragspfad für biozide Wirkstoffe in das Grundwasser?

    Lange, J., Olsson, O., Jackisch, N., Weber, T., Hensen, B., Zieger, F., Schütz, T. & Kümmerer, K., 2017, In: Korrespondenz Wasserwirtschaft. 10, 4, p. 198 - 202 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review