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. 2009
  2. Published

    Zur Notwendigkeit einer Novellierung der Regelung über die Entsorgungsfachbetriebe in § 52 KrW-/AbfG

    Schomerus, T., 2009, In: AbfallR. 8, 4, p. 174-182 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Zur Novellierung des Hamburgischen Informationsfreiheitsgesetzes

    Schomerus, T. & Tolkmitt, U., 2009, In: NordÖR. 12, 7/8, p. 285-291 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Zusammenhänge und Kinetik biotischer und abiotischer Eisenoxidation bei der Brunnenverockerung und Ansätze zur Modellierung

    Opel, O., Eggerichs, T., Eler, N. & Ruck, W., 2009, Wasser 2009: Tagungsband der Jahrestagung der Wasserchemischen Gesellschaft 2009, 18-20 Mai 2009 in Stralsund. Wasserchemische Gesellschaft (ed.). Mühlheim an der Ruhr: GDCh, Wasserchemische Gesellschaft, p. 325-329 5 p.

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

  5. 2008
  6. Published

    Knowledge integration: A key challenge for transdisciplinary cooperation

    Godemann, J., 01.12.2008, In: Environmental Education Research. 14, 6, p. 625-641 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Occurrence and distribution of triclosan in the German Bight (North Sea)

    Xie, Z., Ebinghaus, R., Floeser, G., Caba, A. & Ruck, W., 01.12.2008, In: Environmental Pollution. 156, 3, p. 1190-1195 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Population ecology of the rare carabid beetle Carabus variolosus (Coleoptera : Carabidae) in North-west Germany

    Matern, A., Drees, C., Aßmann, T. & Meyer, H., 01.12.2008, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 12, 6, p. 591-601 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Sustainable university research and development: inspecting sustainability in higher education research

    Beringer, A. & Adomssent, M., 01.12.2008, In: Environmental Education Research. 14, 6, p. 607-623 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The footprint of pesticide stress in communities-Species traits reveal community effects of toxicants

    Liess, M., Schäfer, R. B. & Schriever, C. A., 01.12.2008, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 406, 3, p. 484-490 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    The Role of Formalisation, Participation and Context in the Success of Public Involvement Mechanisms in Resource Management

    Newig, J., Gaube, V., Berkhoff, K., Kaldrack, K., Kastens, B., Lutz, J., Schlussmeier, B., Adensam, H. & Haberl, H., 01.12.2008, In: Systemic Practice and Action Research. 21, 6, p. 423-441 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Guest Editors of Special Issue: Sustainability in higher education research

    Beringer, A., Adomßent, M. & Scott, W., 12.2008, In: Environmental Education Research. 14, 6, p. 603-606 4 p.

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