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

    Integrating Art and Education for Sustainable Development. A Transdisciplinary Working Process in the Context of Culture and Sustainability

    Holz, V., 2011, Sustainable Development – The Cultural Perspective. Concepts – Aspects – Examples. Banse, G., Nelson, G. L. & Parodi, O. (eds.). 1 ed. Berlin: edition sigma, p. 239-250 12 p. (Gesellschaft – Technik – Umwelt; vol. 15).

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

  2. Published

    Integrating adaptation and mitigation to climatic changes

    Martens, P., Chang, C. T. & McEvoy, D., 2012, In: Regions. 288, 1, p. 18-20 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Integrated Research for Integrated Ocean Management

    Rölfer, L., Liconti, A., Prinz, N. & Klöcker, C. A., 17.08.2021, In: Frontiers in Marine Science. 8, 16 p., 693373.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Integrated Pedagogy for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Case of EIT Climate KIC

    Klapper, R. G., Oberstrass, T. & Upham, P., 01.08.2021, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2021, 1, 1 p., 105.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearch

  5. Published

    Integrated nutrient-weed management under mechanised dry direct seeding (DDS) is essential for sustained smallholder adoption in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

    Sengxua, P., Jackson, T., Simali, P., Vial, L. K., Douangboupha, K., Clarke, E., Harnpichitviataya, D. & Wade, L. J., 01.08.2019, In: Experimental Agriculture. 55, 4, p. 509-525 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Integrated assessment of bioelectricity technology options

    Thornley, P., Upham, P., Huang, Y., Rezvani, S., Brammer, J. & Rogers, J., 03.2009, In: Energy Policy. 37, 3, p. 890-903 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Integrale Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Der Beitrag der Integralen Theorie Ken Wilbers zu einer ganzheitlichen Sichtweise Nachhaltiger Entwicklung

    Schäpke, N., 2011, Saarbrücken: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. 188 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Instruments for co-operative planning in spatial management concerned with flooding issues

    Evers, M. & Krause, K.-U., 2008, Urban and regional data managemeent : UDMS Annual 2007 : proceedings of the Urban Management Society Symposium 2007. Coors, V., Rumor, M., Fendel, E. M. & Zlatanova, S. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 485-493 9 p. ( BALKEMA - proceedings and monographs in engineering, water and earth sciences).

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

  9. Published

    Instruments for comprehensive land use planning and river basin management

    Evers, M., 2009, Sustainable Land Use and Water Management: ERSEC - International conference Proceeding. UNESCO-Publishing, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, p. 240-256 17 p. (Ecological Research for Sustaining the Environment in China (ERSEC); no. CN/SC/2008/RP/H/2).

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

  10. Published

    Institutions and preferences determine resilience of ecological-economic systems

    Quaas, M. F., Baumgärtner, S., Derissen, S. & Strunz, S., 2008, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 19 p. (Working paper series in economics; no. 109).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers