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

    Innovation in Sustainable Supply Chains: A Reflection on Resources and SME Collaboration with Supply Chain Stakeholders

    Harms, D. & Klewitz, J., 2012, European Academy of Management (EURAM) : EURAM 2012 Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 432 1 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  2. Published

    Innovation in Sustainable Supply Chains: Interaction for Resources from an SME Perspective

    Harms, D. & Klewitz, J., 2013, Supply Management Research: Aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse 2013. Bogaschewsky, R., Eßig, M., Lasch, R. & Stölzle, W. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, p. 105-130 26 p. (Advanced Studies in Supply Management).

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

  3. Published

    Innovation for Sustainability: Business Transformations Towards a Better World

    Upham, P., 09.2020, In: R&D Management. 50, 4, p. 431-431 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  4. Published

    Innovationen in der Hochschule

    Michelsen, G., 2010, Nachhaltige Entwicklung: das neue Paradigma in der Ökonomie. Hagemann, H. & von Hauff, M. (eds.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 557-569 13 p.

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

  5. Published

    Innovationen für einen nachhaltigen Umbau der Wirtschaft: Der Beitrag von Social Entrepreneurship und Social Business

    Beckmann, M., 2012, B.A.U.M. Jahrbuch 2012: Die Gesellschaft auf dem Weg zur Nachhaltigkeit. Wirtschaft und Transformation. B.A.U.M. e.V. (ed.). München: ALTOP Verlags- und Vertriebsgesellschaft, p. 38-41 4 p.

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

  6. Published

    Innovation durch Nachhaltiges Wirt­schaften: Handlungsempfehlungen

    Thieme, M., von Braun, J., Fischer, H., Günther, E., Hanagarth, H., Hesse, H. J., Jugel, C., Klein, A., Kratz, D., Putz, M., Schaltegger, S., Schauerte, O., Schell, U., Tschimpke, O., Wagner, B. & Werner, G., 2017, Berlin: Hightech-Forum, 16 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsTransfer

  7. Published

    Innovation Contests for Sustainability-Oriented Product Innovation: Findings from a Worldwide Shoe Innovation Contest

    Hansen, E. G., Bullinger, A. C. & Reichwald, R., 06.2011, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 33 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  8. Published

    Innovating entrepreneurial pedagogy: Examples from France and Germany

    Klapper, R. & Tegtmeier, S., 10.2010, In: Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. 17, 4, p. 552-568 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability: Attributes and Challenges

    Schaltegger, S., Álvarez-Etxeberria, I. & Ortas, E., 01.03.2017, In: Sustainable Development. 25, 2, p. 113-122 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

    Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., Schweizer-Ries, P. & Wamsler, C., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 841-858 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review