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

    Future-proofing ecosystem restoration through enhancing adaptive capacity

    Frietsch, M., Loos, J., Löhr, K., Sieber, S. & Fischer, J., 12.2023, In: Communications Biology. 6, 1, 9 p., 377.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  2. Published

    Future-oriented higher education: Which key competencies should be fostered through university teaching and learning?

    Rieckmann, M., 03.2012, In: Futures. 44, 2, p. 127–135 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Future ecosystem service provision under land-use change scenarios in southwestern Ethiopia

    Duguma, D. W., Brueck, M., Shumi, G., Law, E., Benra, F., Schultner, J., Nemomissa, S., Abson, D. J. & Fischer, J., 2024, In: Ecosystems and People. 20, 1, 14 p., 2321613.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Future Challenges of Higher Education in the Context of Sustainable Development from a European Point of View

    Michelsen, G., 2011, Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Looking Back and Moving Forward. Barth, M., Rieckmann, M. & Sanusi, Z. A. (eds.). 1 ed. Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 59-76 18 p. (Higher Education for Sustainability; vol. 5).

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

  5. Published

    Fußballvereine hacken: Mit Werteorientierung und Nachhaltigkeit gierige Monster ins Abseits stellen

    Möller, S. & Rager, E., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 167-182 16 p.

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

  6. Published

    Fußball, Menschenfeindlichkeit und Diskriminierung

    Zick, A. & Winands, M., 2013, Polizei und Fußball: Analysen zum rituellen Charakter von Bundesligaspielen. Feltes, T. (ed.). Frankfurt, p. 143-152 10 p. (Schriftenreihe Polizieren: Polizei, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft; vol. 6).

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

  7. Published

    Fusionsprotein und dessen Verwendungen

    Leder, C., Gawaz, M., Ziegler, M. & Stellos, K., 06.10.2011, IPC No. DE 102010013887A1, Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt, 30.03.2010

    Research output: PatentsPatent

  8. Published

    Für welche ´Natur/en´ sorgen wir? Kritische feministische Perspektiven auf aktuelle Care-Debatten im sozial-ökologischen Kontext

    Hofmeister, S., Mölders, T., Deininger, M. & Kapitza, K., 19.03.2019, In: Gender. 11, 1, p. 125-139 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Für_Sorge – Vor_Sorge. Feministische Perspektiven auf ‚Natur/en‘ und Menschen

    Hofmeister, S., Mölders, T. & Onnen, C., 2019, Care: Praktiken und Politiken der Fürsorge: Ethnographische und geschlechtertheoretische Perspektiven. Binder, B., Bischoff, C., Endter, C., Hess, S., Kienitz, S. & Bergmann, S. (eds.). Leverkusen-Opladen: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 263-275 13 p.

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

  10. Published

    Fürsorgerationalität statt Wachstumslogik: Das Konzept der Green Economy aus feministischer Care-Perspektive

    Gottschlich, D., 2012, In: Forum Wissenschaft. 29, 2, p. 17-20 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch