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

    A comprehensive assessment of ecosystem services: Integrating supply, demand and interest in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

    Castillo-Eguskitza, N., Martín-López, B. & Onaindia, M., 10.2018, In: Ecological Indicators. 93, p. 1176-1189 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Setting the research agenda for measuring sustainability performance: systematic application of the world café method

    Silva, S. L. & Günther, E., 18.09.2018, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 9, 4, p. 455-469 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published

    System Properties Determine Food Security and Biodiversity Outcomes at Landscape Scale: A Case Study from West Flores, Indonesia

    Collier, N. F., Sayer, J., Boedhihartono, A. K., Hanspach, J., Abson, D. & Fischer, J., 20.03.2018, In: Land. 7, 1, 19 p., 39.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Environmental orientation among nascent and established entrepreneurs: An empirical analysis of differences and their causes

    Hörisch, J., Kollat, J. & Brieger, S. A., 02.08.2019, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 11, 4, p. 373-393 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Collaborative entrepreneurship for sustainability. Creating solutions in light of the UN sustainable development goals

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hockerts, K., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 2, p. 131-152 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Sustainable entrepreneurship: creating environmental solutions in light of planetary boundaries

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hockerts, K., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 1, p. 1-16 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Innovative Wärmenetze, nachhaltige Wasserinfrastruktur und gemeinschaftliche Wohnprojekte: Politikempfehlungen

    Laws, N. & Heinrichs, H., 01.04.2018, Karlsruhe: Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung ISI, 54 p. (TransNIK Werkstattbericht; no. 8).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  8. Published

    Technical and economic assessment of food waste valorization through a biorefinery chain

    Demichelis, F., Fiore, S., Pleißner, D. & Venus, J., 10.2018, In: Renewable & Sustainble Energy Reviews. 94, p. 38-48 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Potenzialorientierter Naturwissenschaftsunterricht

    Abels, S., 08.2019, Potenzialorientierte Förderung in den Fachdidaktiken. Veber, M., Benölken, R. & Pfitzner, M. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 61-78 18 p. (Begabungsförderung : individuelle Förderung und inklusive Bildung ; vol. 7).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review

  10. Published

    Kollegiales Miteinander - Engagement in der Nachwuchsförderung

    Abels, S., 2018, Bildung gewinnt! Annelie Wellensiek zum Gedenken. Hohenester-Pongratz, B. & Kollmann, F. (eds.). Heidelberg: Mattes Verlag, p. 166-172 7 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review