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. 2012
  2. Published

    UNESCO chairs for (higher) education for sustainable development

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, In: IAU Horizons. 18, 2, p. 16-17 2 p.

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

  3. Published

    University-Industry Collaboration to Stimulate Learning in the Context of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations

    Klewitz, J., 2012, Leuphana Sustainability Summit: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Unternehmen & Biodiversität: Biodiversität im unternehmerischen Immobilien- und Liegenschaftsmanagement

    Heitepriem, N., 2012, Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt XI: Interdisziplinärer Forschungsaustausch im Rahmen des Übereinkommens über die biologische Vielfalt. Bonn - Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 137-142 6 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 309).

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

  5. Published

    Using ‘mixed methods’ in sustainable consumption research: approaches, challenges and added value

    Jäger-Erben, M., Schäfer, M., Dalichau, D., Dehmel, C., Götz, K., Fischer, D., Homburg, A., Schulz, M. & Zundel, S., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it: Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., D Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 143–159 17 p. (Results of Social-ecological Research; vol. 14).

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

  6. Published

    Vergleich der Wärmeabsorption von Gasen

    Niebert, K. & Sieve, B., 2012, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 23, 129, p. 49-50 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  7. Published

    Vom Blick der politischen Bildung aufs Ganze. Intersektionale Perspektiven in der Gewaltprävention.

    Offen, S. & Schmidt, J., 2012, Zivilcourage und Gewaltprävention im Fokus politischer Bildung: Qualifizierungskonzept. Jansen, L. (ed.). Wuppertal: Bundesarbeitskreis Arbeit und Leben, p. 21-30 10 p.

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

  8. Published

    Vom integrierten Umwelt- zum heutigen Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement: Eine Fallstudie aus der Telekommunikationsbranche im Lichte des Winter-Modells

    Schaltegger, S. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Georg Winter - Pionier der umweltbewussten Unternehmensführung: Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag. Seidel, E. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 255-276 22 p.

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

  9. Published

    Vorsorgendes Wirtschaften

    Biesecker, A. & Gottschlich, D., 2012, ABC der Alternativen 2.0: Von Alltagskultur bis Zivilgesellschaft. Brand, U., Lösch, B., Opratko, B. & Thimmel, S. (eds.). Hamburg: VSA-Verlag, p. 320-322 2 p.

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

  10. Published

    Vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj pro pedagogy v mateřských školách

    Stoltenberg, U., 2012, Školka blízká přírodě: Příručka předškolního vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj. Asociace lesních mateřských škol. Vošahlíková, T. (ed.). Praha (Prag): Asociace lesních mateřských škol

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  11. Published

    Was bewegt die Jugend? Greenpeace Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer

    Michelsen, G., Grunenberg, H. & Rode, H., 2012, Homburg/ Taunus: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 213 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch