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

    Umweltbildung: ein Problem der Lehrerbildung

    Fischer, H. & Michelsen, G., 1997, Frankfurt, Berlin ua.: Peter Lang Verlag. 174 p. (Umweltbildung und Zukunftsfähigkeit; vol. 1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  2. Published

    Towards more sustainable curricula

    Zuin, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 01.02.2021, In: Nature Reviews Chemistry. 5, 2, p. 76-77 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  3. Published

    Inklusive Begabungsförderung im Chemieunterricht

    Abels, S. & Brauns, S., 2021, Inklusive Begabungsförderung in den Fachdidaktiken: Diskurse, Forschungslinien und Praxisbeispiele. Kiso, C. J. & Fränkel, S. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 111-123 13 p.

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

  4. Published

    Crowdfunding for Responsible Entrepreneurship

    Tenner, I. M. & Hörisch, J., 10.10.2020, Responsible Entrepreneurship: Verantwortlich handeln in einer globalisierten Welt. Pechlaner, H. & Speer, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler, p. 117-134 (Entrepreneurial Management und Standortentwicklung)(Research).

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

  5. Published

    Purchasing unpackaged food products: An empirical analysis of personal norms and contextual barriers

    Marken, G. H. & Hörisch, J., 01.12.2019, In: NachhaltigkeitsManagementForum. 27, 3-4, p. 165-175 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Crowdfunding sustainable entrepreneurship: What are the characteristics of crowdfunding investors?

    Tenner, I. M. & Hörisch, J., 25.03.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 290, 9 p., 125667.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Impact of high carbon amendments and pre-crops on soil bacterial communities

    Kamau, C. W., van Duijnen, R., Schmid, C. A. O., Balàzs, H. E., Roy, J., Rillig, M., Schröder, P., Radl, V., Temperton, V. M. & Schloter, M., 01.02.2021, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 57, 2, p. 305-317 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Governing Transitions towards Sustainable Agriculture - Taking Stock of an Emerging Field of Research

    Melchior, I. C. & Newig, J., 08.01.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 2, p. 1-27 27 p., 528.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Decision-making for nature’s contributions to people in the Cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge

    Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 05.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 3, p. 739-760 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review