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

    Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung von Unternehmen

    Herzig, C. & Schaltegger, S., 2005, Handbuch Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation: Grundlagen und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Godemann, J. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 578-587 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  2. Published

    Untersuchungen zur Struktur und Dynamik der Serrahner Buchenwälder

    Oheimb, G., Friedel, A., Westphal, C. & Härdtle, W., 2003, In: Natur und Naturschutz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 38, p. 52-64 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Leistus

    Aßmann, T., 2004, Die Käfer Mitteleuropas: Bd. 2: Adephaga ; 1. Carabidae (Laufkäfer). Müller-Motzfeld, G. (ed.). 2., erw. Aufl. ed. München: Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, p. 65-70 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  5. Published

    Tourism strategies for adaption and sustainable development in mountain and coastal destinations in Germany

    Bartels, C., Barth, M., Heinrichs, H., Kreilkamp, E., Matzarakis, A. & Moeller, A., 2007, Developments in tourism climatology: 3rd International Workshop on Climate, Tourism and Recreation. Matzarakis, A., de Freitas, C. & Scott, D. (eds.). International Society of Biometeorology (ISB), p. 207-213 7 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  6. Published

    Sphodrini

    Aßmann, T., 2004, Die Käfer Mitteleuropas: Bd. 2: Adephaga ; 1. Carabidae (Laufkäfer). Müller-Motzfeld, G. (ed.). 2 ed. München: Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, p. 283-297 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  7. Published

    Polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered butterfly Lycaena helle (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

    Habel, J. C., Finger, A., Meyer, M., Schmitt, T. & Aßmann, T., 15.05.2008, In: European Journal of Entomology. 105, 2, p. 361-362 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Spannender Drahtseilakt: Diversität von und in Umweltverbänden

    Katz, C. & Franz-Balsen, A., 2001, Vom David zum Goliath ?: NGOs im Wandel. Radloff, J. (ed.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 73-75 3 p. (Politische Ökologie; no. 72).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  9. Published

    Wie "ökologisch" ist die ökologische Ökonomik? Reflexionen zur Vielfalt und Eintracht von Naturbildern in der ökologischen Ökonomie

    Hofmeister, S., 2007, Wiedervorlage dringend: Ansätze für eine Ökonomie der Nachhaltigkeit : Beiträge aus der Arbeit der Vereinigung für Ökologische Ökonomie (VÖÖ) 1996 bis 2006. Lang, E., Busch-Lüty, C. & Kopfmüller, J. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 221-226 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  10. Published

    L'agenda 21 locale: luogo di costruzione della sostenibilità

    Stoltenberg, U., 2005, La Sostenibilità si può fare: la "vetrina per uno sviluppo sostenibile": un progetto innovativo per la comunicazione e lo sviluppo della sostenibilità. Stoltenberg, U., Muraca, B. & Nora, E. (eds.). Frankfurt am Main: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 64-73 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch