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. 2008
  2. Published

    Development of an Interdisciplinary, Intercultural Master’s Program on Sustainability: Learning from the Richness of Diversity

    van Dam-Mieras, R., Lansu, A., Rieckmann, M. & Michelsen, G., 03.2008, In: Innovative Higher Education. 32, 5, p. 251-264 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The informed society: Final report on the cooperation programme INTERREG-IIIB project “SAFECOAST”

    Lüdecke, G. & Knolle, M., 03.2008, 41 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  4. Published

    Determination of 10 particle-associated multiclass polar and semi-polar pesticides from small streams using accelerated solvent extraction

    Mueller, R., Brack, W., Wenzel, K.-D., Streck, G., Ruck, W., Liess, M. & Schäfer, R. B., 02.2008, In: Chemosphere. 70, 11, p. 1952-1960 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Levels of indicator development for education for sustainable development

    Rode, H. & Michelsen, G., 02.2008, In: Environmental Education Research. 14, 1, p. 19-33 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Wie Human Ressource Management und gesellschaftliches Engagement Hand in Hand gehen: Corporate Volunteering zur Mitarbeiterbindung und -entwicklung

    Pinter, A., 29.01.2008, ALTOP Verlags- und Vertriebsgesellschaft.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  7. Published

    Semi-micro reflux procedure for minimization of chloride interference by COD determination.

    Martins, A. F., de Jesus, L. E. W., Vendruscolo, N., Vasconcelos, T. G. & Wilde, M. L., 25.01.2008, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 36, 1, p. 66-69 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Finnish Pipunculidae (Diptera) studies Part I: Taxonomic notes on Cephalops Fallén, 1810, Pipunculus Latreille, 1802 and Tomosvaryella Aczél, 1939

    Kehlmaier, C., 04.01.2008, In: Zootaxa. 1672, 1, p. 1-42 42 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Ärger-Aushandlungen in der Freundschaft als Weg zu sozialer und emotionaler Kompetenz

    Salisch, M., 01.01.2008, Persönlichkeitsstrukturen und ihre Folgen. Alt, C. (ed.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 81-97 17 p. (Schriften des Deutschen Jugendinstituts; vol. 5).

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

  10. Published

    Business and Emissions Trading from a Public Choice Perspective: Waiting for a New Paradigm to Emerge

    Tschochohei, H. & Zöckler, J., 01.01.2008, Emissions trading: Institutional Design, Decision Making and Corporate Strategies. Antes, R., Hansjürgens, B. & Letmathe, P. (eds.). New York, NY: Springer New York LLC, p. 21-35 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  11. Published

    Das Lernen mit Neuen Medien als Ansatz zur Vermittlung von Gestaltungskompetenz

    Barth, M., 01.01.2008, Kompetenzen der Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Operationalisierung, Messung, Rahmenbedingungen, Befunde. Bormann, I. & Haan, G. (eds.). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, p. 199-213 15 p.

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