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

    Success of collaboration for sustainable agriculture: a case study meta-analysis

    Velten, S., Jager, N. W. & Newig, J., 10.2021, In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. 23, 10, p. 14619–14641 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Corridors as a tool for linking habitats – Shortcomings and perspectives for plant conservation

    Travers, E., Härdtle, W. & Matthies, D., 01.04.2021, In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 60, 125974.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Corporate contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals: An empirical analysis informed by legitimacy theory

    Silva, S., 10.04.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 292, 125962.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    To separate or not to separate: what is necessary and enough for a green and sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from Brazilian citrus waste

    Zuin, V. G., Ramin, L. Z., Segatto, M. L., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K., Forim, M. R., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F. & Fernandes, J. B., 01.01.2021, In: Pure and Applied Chemistry. 93, 1, p. 13-27 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

    Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., Schweizer-Ries, P. & Wamsler, C., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 841-858 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Developmental plasticity of Brachypodium distachyon in response to P deficiency: Modulation by inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria

    Baudson, C., Delory, B. M., Spaepen, S., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 01.01.2021, In: Plant Direct. 5, 1, 17 p., e00296.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published
  8. Published
  9. Published

    Understanding drivers of human tolerance towards mammals in a mixed-use transfrontier conservation area in southern Africa

    Kansky, R., Kidd, M. & Fischer, J., 01.02.2021, In: Biological Conservation. 254, 10 p., 108947.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Plastics in our ocean as transdisciplinary challenge

    Riechers, M., Fanini, L., Apicella, A., Galván, C. B., Blondel, E., Espiña, B., Kefer, S., Keroullé, T., Klun, K., Pereira, T. R., Ronchi, F., Rodríguez, P. R., Sardon, H., Silva, A. V., Stulgis, M. & Ibarra-González, N., 01.03.2021, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 164, 5 p., 112051.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review