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

    Grundlagen der Weiterentwicklung von rechtlichen Instrumenten zur Ressourcenschonung: Forschungsbericht 363 01 130, UBA-FB 001051

    Roßnagel, A. & Sanden, J., 2008, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, 175 p. (Berichte; no. 2/2007).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  2. Published

    Grundlagen der Umweltpolitik

    Gschwendtner, H., 01.01.2000, Wirtschaftswissenschaften. Schaltegger, S. (ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, p. 71-110 40 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  3. Published

    Grundlagen der Umweltchemie

    Ruck, W., 01.01.2002, Naturwissenschaften. Härdtle, W. (ed.). Berlin [u.a.]: Springer, p. 79-111 33 p. (Studium der Umweltwissenschaften).

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

  4. Published

    Grundlagen der nachhaltigen Gestaltung von Organisationen

    Möller, A. & Rolf, A., 2003, In: Umweltwirtschaftsforum. 11, 2, p. 4-9 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Grundkonzeption eines produktbezogenen Top-Runner Modells auf der EU-Ebene: Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit : Forschungskennzahl 363 01 233 UBA-FB 001502

    Jepsen, D., Reintjes, N., Rubik, F., Stecker, R., Engel, F., Eisenhauer, P., Schomerus, T. & Spengler, L., 2011, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 155 p. (Texte; vol. 2011, no. 36).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  7. Published

    Gründen hacken: Mit kooperativer Gegenkultur und Diversität nachhaltigen Impact ermöglichen

    Krome, C. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 89-105 17 p.

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

  8. Published

    Growth-trait relationships in subtropical forest are stronger at higher diversity

    Bongers, F. J., Schmid, B., Sun, Z., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Li, Y., Li, S., Staab, M., Ma, K. & Liu, X., 01.01.2020, In: Journal of Ecology. 108, 1, p. 256-266 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Growth of mussels Mytilus edulis at algal (Rhodomonas salina) concentrations below and above saturation levels for reduced filtration rate

    Riisgard, H. U., Pleissner, D., Lundgreen, K. & Larsen, P. S., 01.12.2013, In: Marine Biology Research. 9, 10, p. 1005-1017 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Growth of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria Gallionella ferruginea and Leptothrix cholodnii in Oligotrophic Environments: Ca, Mg, and C as Limiting Factors and G. ferruginea Necromass as C-Source

    Eggerichs, T., Wiegand, M., Neumann, K., Opel, O., Thronicker, O. & Szewzyk, U., 07.02.2020, In: Geomicrobiology Journal. 37, 2, p. 190-199 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review