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

    Hazard screening of photo-transformation products from pharmaceuticals: Application to selective β1-blockers atenolol and metoprolol

    Toolaram, A. P., Menz, J., Rastogi, T., Leder, C., Kümmerer, K. & Schneider, M., 01.02.2017, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 579, p. 1769-1780 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Hazard assessment of fluorinated alternatives to long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors: status quo, ongoing challenges and possible solutions

    Wang, Z., Cousins, I. T., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbuehler, K., 01.02.2015, In: Environmental international. 75, p. 172-179 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Harnessing the Sustainable Development Goals for businesses: A progressive framework for action

    Redman, A., 01.12.2018, In: Business Strategy and Development. 1, 4, p. 230-243 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Harnessing the biodiversity value of Central and Eastern European farmland

    Sutcliffe, L. M. E., Batáry, P., Kormann, U., Báldi, A., Dicks, L. V., Herzon, I., Kleijn, D., Tryjanowski, P., Apostolova, I., Arlettaz, R., Aunins, A., Aviron, S., Baležentiene, L., Fischer, C., Halada, L., Hartel, T., Helm, A., Hristov, I., Jelaska, S. D., Kaligarič, M., Kamp, J., Klimek, S., Koorberg, P., Kostiuková, J., Kovács-Hostyánszki, A., Kuemmerle, T., Leuschner, C., Lindborg, R., Loos, J., Maccherini, S., Marja, R., Máthé, O., Paulini, I., Proença, V., Rey-Benayas, J., Sans, F. X., Seifert, C., Stalenga, J., Timaeus, J., Török, P., van Swaay, C., Viik, E. & Tscharntke, T., 01.06.2015, In: Diversity and Distributions. 21, 6, p. 722-730 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Harnessing place attachment for local climate mitigation? Hypothesising connections between broadening representations of place and readiness for change

    Upham, P., Johansen, K., Bögel, P. M., Axon, S., Garard, J. & Carney, S., 02.09.2018, In: Local Environment. 23, 9, p. 912-919 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  6. Published

    Harmonising biodiversity conservation and food security in southwestern Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Rodrigues, P., Shumi, G., Hylander, K., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Jiren, T. S., Mausbach, M., Abson, D., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 02.01.2020, 1 ed. Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd. 166 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  7. Published

    Happy just because. A cross-cultural study on subjective wellbeing in three Indigenous societies

    Reyes-Garcia, V., Gallois, S., Pyhala, A., Diaz-Reviriego, I., Fernandez-Llamazares, A., Galbraith, E., Miñarro, S. & Napitupulu, L., 13.05.2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 5, 16 p., e0251551.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Handwerk hacken: Mit neuen Arbeitszeiten alte Zöpfe abschneiden

    Hansen, J. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 213-221 9 p.

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

  9. Published

    Handelsbeschränkungen und Patentschutz für Impfstoffe: Europa- und völkerrechtliche Aspekte

    Bäumler, J. & Terhechte, J. P., 19.11.2020, In: Neue Juristische Wochenschrift. 73, 48, p. 3481-3487 7 p., 48.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  10. Published

    Handel mit Treibhausgas-Emissionszertifikaten in der EG: Prüfung der Rechtmäßigkeit ausgewählter Normen der Richtlinie 2003/87/EG nach dem Europäischen Gemeinschaftsrecht

    Brattig, B., 2004, Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kovač. 414 p. (Schriftenreihe Umweltrecht in Forschung und Praxis; vol. 16)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch