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

    Green and Sustainable Chemistry Teacher Education: Experiences from a Brazilian University

    Gomes, C. J. C. & Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 09.2023, In: Sustainable Chemistry. 4, 3, p. 272 - 281 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Genetic editing of wood for sustainability: Trees engineered to have less lignin could make paper production less polluting

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 14.07.2023, In: Science. 381, 6654, p. 124-125 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  3. Published

    Are you teaching "distillation" correctly in your chemistry classes? An educational reconstruction

    Abels, S., Koliander, B. & Plotz, T., 07.2023, In: Chemistry Teacher International. 5, 2, p. 229-237 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Tree diversity effects on litter decomposition are mediated by litterfall and microbial processes

    Beugnon, R., Eisenhauer, N., Bruelheide, H., Davrinche, A., Du, J., Haider, S., Hähn, G., Saadani, M., Singavarapu, B., Sünnemann, M., Thouvenot, L., Wang, Y., Wubet, T., Xue, K. & Cesarz, S., 10.2023, In: Oikos. 2023, 10, 13 p., e09751.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Is peoples’ belief in a just world associated with (dis)honesty in romantic relationships?

    Reinhardt, N., Reinhard, M. A. & Schindler, S., 01.08.2023, In: Journal of Research in Personality. 105, 104396.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Accounting for corporate environmental rebounds. A conceptual approach

    Egan, M. & Schaltegger, S., 20.09.2023, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 419, 8 p., 138175.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Wildlife habitat association over a twelve-year period (2008-2020) in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, western Tanzania

    Thomsen, S., Loos, J., Stewart, F. A. & Piel, A. K., 01.10.2023, In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 75, 126464.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Toward a pluralistic conservation science

    Cumming, G. S., Davies, Z. G., Fischer, J. & Hajjar, R., 01.05.2023, In: Conservation Letters. 16, 3, 8 p., e12952.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  10. Published

    Extension of Biodiesel Aging Mechanism–the Role and Influence of Methyl Oleate and the Contribution of Alcohols Through the Use of Solketal

    Türck, J., Schmitt, F., Anthofer, L., Türck, R., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 08.09.2023, In: ChemSusChem. 16, 17, 10 p., e202300263.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review