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

    The Energy Situation in the Federal Republic of Germany: Analysis of the Current Situation and Perspectives for a Non-Fossil Energy Supply

    Atzler, F., Türck, J., Türck, R. & Krahl, J., 07.06.2023, In: Energies. 16, 12, 8 p., 4569.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Feasibility and efficacy of a digital resilience training: A pilot study of the strengths-based training RESIST

    Behrendt, D., Boß, L., Hannibal, S., Kunzler, A. M., Wessa, M. & Lehr, D., 01.09.2023, In: Internet Interventions. 33, 14 p., 100649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  3. Published

    From pre-processing to advanced dynamic modeling of pupil data

    Fink, L., Simola, J., Tavano, A., Lange, E., Wallot, S. & Laeng, B., 03.2024, In: Behavior Research Methods. 56, 3, p. 1376-1412 37 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Digitalization, new media, and education for sustainable development

    Keller, L. (Editor), Michelsen, G. (Editor), Dür, M. (Editor), Bachri, S. (Editor) & Zint, M. (Editor), 17.04.2023, IGI Global Publishing. 328 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  5. Published

    Landscape dynamics and chronological refinement of the Middle Pleistocene Reinsdorf Sequence of Schöningen, NW Germany

    Urban, B., Kasper, T., Krahn, K. J., van Kolfschoten, T., Rech, B., Holzheu, M., Tucci, M. & Schwalb, A., 01.06.2023, In: Quaternary Research. 114, p. 148-177 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Diverse values of nature shape human connection to dryland landscapes in Spain

    El Ghafraoui, Y., Quintas-Soriano, C., Pacheco-Romero, M., Murillo-López, B. E. & Castro, A. J., 01.09.2023, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 216, 10 p., 105023.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Science on ecosystems and people to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

    Schröter, M., Berbés-Blázquez, M., Albert, C., Hill, R., Krause, T., Loos, J., Mannetti, L. M., Martín-López, B., Neelakantan, A., Parrotta, J. A., Quintas-Soriano, C., Abson, D. J., Alkemade, R., Amelung, B., Baptiste, B., Barrios, E., Djoudi, H., Drakou, E. G., Durance, I., García Llorente, M., Geneletti, D., Harmáčková, Z. V., Jacobs, S., Kaiser, N. N., Kingsley, J., Klain, S., Martínez-Harms, M. J., Murali, R., O’Farrell, P., Pandit, R., Pereira, L., Rana, S., Riechers, M., Rusch, G. M., Sala, J. E., Schulp, C. J. E., Sitas, N., Subramanian, S. M., Villasante, S. & van Oudenhoven, A., 2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 10 p., 2220913.

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

  8. Published

    The role of emotions in human–nature connectedness within Mediterranean landscapes in Spain

    Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Martín-López, B., Expósito-Granados, M., Alba-Patiño, D., Rodríguez-Caballero, E., García-Llorente, M. & Castro, A. J., 09.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 5, p. 2181-2197 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Business Model Innovation for Sustainability

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Schaltegger, S., 30.03.2023, Corporate Sustainability: Managing Responsible Business in a Globalised World. Rasche, A., Morsing, M., Moon, J. & Kourula, A. (eds.). Second Edition ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 388-411 24 p.

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

  10. Published

    Valuing beaches for beauty and recreation only? Uncovering perception bias through a hashtag analysis

    Wahler, H., Fanini, L. & Riechers, M., 01.09.2023, In: Marine Policy. 155, 105707.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch