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. 2022
  2. Published
  3. Published

    How context affects transdisciplinary research: insights from Asia, Africa and Latin America

    Schneider, F., Llanque-Zonta, A., Andriamihaja, O. R., Andriatsitohaina, R. N. N., Tun, A. M., Boniface, K., Jacobi, J., Celio, E., Diebold, C. L., Patrick, L., Latthachack, P., Llopis, J. C., Lundsgaard-Hansen, L., Messerli, P., Mukhovi, S., Tun, N., Rabemananjara, Z. H., Ramamonjisoa, B. S., Thongmanivong, S., Vongvisouk, T., Thongphanh, D., Myint, W. & Zaehringer, J. G., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2331-2345 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    “It shouldn’t look aggressive”: How conceptions about publics shape the development of mining exploration technologies

    Bleicher, A., Häßler, P. & David, M., 01.11.2022, In: Public Understanding of Science. 31, 8, p. 978-992 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Teacher Education for Sustainable Development: A Review of an Emerging Research Field

    Fischer, D., King, J., Rieckmann, M., Barth, M., Büssing, A., Hemmer, I. & Lindau-Bank, D., 01.11.2022, In: Journal of Teacher Education. 73, 5, p. 509-524 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    The feasibility of using Apple's ResearchKit for recruitment and data collection: Considerations for mental health research

    Bührmann, L., Van Daele, T., Rinn, A., De Witte, N. A. J., Lehr, D., Aardoom, J. J., Loheide-Niesmann, L., Smit, J. & Riper, H., 01.11.2022, In: Frontiers in Digital Health. 4, 12 p., 978749.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    The interplay of eco-labels and price Cues: Empirical evidence from a large-scale field experiment in an online fashion store

    Feuß, S., Fischer-Kreer, D., Majer, J., Kemper, J. & Brettel, M., 01.11.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 373, 133707.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The role of perceptions and social norms in shaping women’s fertility preferences: a case study from Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Manlosa, A. O., Fischer, J., Schultner, J., Hanspach, J., Senbeta, F. & Dorresteijn, I., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2473-2488 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Using meaningful places as an indicator for sense of place in the management of social-ecological systems

    Knaps, F., Gottwald, S., Albert, C. & Herrmann, S., 01.11.2022, In: Ecology and Society. 27, 4, 12 p., 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Amplifying actions for food system transformation: insights from the Stockholm region

    Lam, D. P. M., Jiménez-Aceituno, A., Guerrero Lara, L., Sellberg, M. M., Norström, A. V., Moore, M.-L., Peterson, G. D. & Olsson, P., 11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2379-2395 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Auswirkungen illegaler Altfahrzeugverwertung: Ermittlung der ökologischen, volkswirtschaftlichen und betriebswirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der nicht anerkannten Demontage von Altfahrzeugen und der illegalen Altfahrzeugverbringung sowie Ableitung von Maßnahmen zur Adressierung möglicher Auswirkungen; Abschlussbericht

    Zimmermann, T., Sander, K., Memelink, R., Knode, M., Freier, M., Porsch, L., Schomerus, T., Wilkes, S. & Flormann, P., 11.2022, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 303 p. (Texte/Umweltbundesamt; vol. 129).

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch