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

    What drives social entrepreneurial appraisal among hearing-impaired individuals?

    Jasniak, M., Ermakova, T., Baierl, R. & Halberstadt, J., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 2, p. 236-255 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published
  3. Published
  4. Published

    What determines PCB concentrations in soils in rural and urban areas? Insights from a multi-media fate model for Switzerland as a case study

    Glüge, J., Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 15.04.2016, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 550, p. 1152-1162 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    What can conservation strategies learn from the ecosystem services approach? Insights from ecosystem assessments in two Spanish protected areas

    García-Llorente, M., Harrison, P. A., Berry, P., Palomo, I., Gómez-Baggethun, E., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Montes, C., García Del Amo, D. & Martín-López, B., 01.06.2018, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 27, 7, p. 1575-1597 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    What attracts children?

    Salisch, M., Oppl, C. & Kristen, A., 28.03.2006, Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences. Vorderer, P. & Bryant, J. (eds.). Mahwah, NJ [u.a.]: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, p. 170-189 20 p. (LEA's communication series).

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

  7. Published

    What are the ingredients for food systems change towards sustainability? - Insights from the literature

    Weber, H., Pöggel, K., Eakin, H., Fischer, D., Lang, D. J., Wehrden, H. & Wiek, A., 01.11.2020, In: Environmental Research Letters. 15, 11, 17 p., 113001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    What are social- ecological systems and social-ecological systems research?

    Biggs, R., Clements, H., de Vos, A., Folke, C., Manyani, A., Maciejewski, K., Martín-López, B., Preiser, R., Selomane, O. & Schlüter, M., 30.07.2021, The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems. Biggs, R., de Vos, A., Preiser, R., Clements, H., Maciejewski, K. & Schlüter, M. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 3-26 24 p. (Routledge international handbooks).

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

  9. Published

    What are mycorrhizal traits?

    Chaudhary, V. B., Holland, E. P., Charman-Anderson, S., Guzman, A., Bell-Dereske, L., Cheeke, T. E., Corrales, A., Duchicela, J., Egan, C., Gupta, M. M., Hannula, S. E., Hestrin, R., Hoosein, S., Kumar, A., Mhretu, G., Neuenkamp, L., Soti, P., Xie, Y. & Helgason, T., 01.07.2022, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 37, 7, p. 573-581 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  10. Published

    Weshalb der Nachhaltigkeitsdiskurs in Deutschland eine „Mutter“ hat. Ein festliches Essay für Christiane Busch-Lüty

    Hofmeister, S., Biesecker, A., Seidl, I. & von Winterfeld , U., 2006, München: oekom verlag GmbH. 8 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch