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

    Forwords

    Hofmeister, S. & Fainstein, S. S., 2019, Gendered Approaches to Spatial Development in Europe: Perspectives, Similarities, Differences. Zibell, B., Damyanovic, D. & Sturm, U. (eds.). London / New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. XVII-XIX 3 p. (Routledge studies in gender and environments).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  2. Published

    For the good of the people: establishing public value creation as an objective for sustainable entrepreneurship policy

    Corredor Jimenez, J., Norris, S. & Gebhardt, L., 08.2024, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 16, 2, p. 242-261 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Forschungsförderung unter dem Aspekt transdisziplinärer Integrationsaufgaben

    Bergmann, M., 2008, Transdisziplinäre Forschung: Integrative Forschungsprozesse verstehen und bewerten. Bergmann, M. & Schramm, E. (eds.). Frankfurt a. M./New York: Campus Verlag, p. 293-315 23 p.

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

  4. Published

    Forschungsbereiche im Themenfeld Geschlechterverhältnisse und Nachhaltigkeit

    Hofmeister, S., Katz, C. & Mölders, T., 2013, Geschlechterverhältnisse und Nachhaltigkeit: Die Kategorie Geschlecht in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Hofmeister, S., Katz, C. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Opladen: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 78-79

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

  5. Published

    Forschungsansätze im Themenfeld Geschlechterverhältnisse und Nachhaltigkeit

    Hofmeister, S., Katz, C. & Mölders, T., 2013, Geschlechterverhältnisse und Nachhaltigkeit: Die Kategorie Geschlecht in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Hofmeister, S., Katz, C. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Opladen: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 96-98

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

  6. Published

    Forschung in der Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Entstehung und Verortung eines Forschungszweiges

    Barth, M., 2016, Empirische Forschung zur Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung - Themen, Methoden und Trends: Summer School "Empirische Forschung zur Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung - Themen, Methoden und Trends" vom 21.-29. Juli 2014 an der Universität Vechta. Barth, M. & Rieckmann, M. (eds.). Opladen, Berlin, Toronto: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 37-50 13 p. (Ökologie und Erziehungswissenschaft).

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

  7. Published

    Forschung für nachhaltige entwicklungen

    Grießhammer, R., Bergmann, M. & Betker, F., 05.2014, In: GAIA. 23, 2, p. 129 - 131 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  8. Published

    Forschung für die Nachhaltigkeit

    Seiler, P., Barth, M., Fischer, D. & Michelsen, G., 11.03.2010, In: GAIA. 19, 1, p. 69-71 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Forschendes Lernen zum Thema ‚Trennverfahren’ inklusiv gestalten – Eine videobasierte Studie im naturwissenschaftlichen Sachunterricht

    Abels, S., Demmel, L., Minnemann, M., Rathig, J. & Semmler, F., 2019, Inklusion im Sachunterricht: Perspektiven der Forschung. Pech, D., Schomaker, C. & Simon, T. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 36-50 15 p. (Forschungen zur Didaktik des Sachunterrichts; vol. 10).

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

  10. Published

    Forschendes Lernen mit digitalen Medien – Ein Beitrag zur „Diklusion“

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2022, Unsicherheit als Element von naturwissenschaftsbezogenen Bildungsprozessen : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Virtuelle Jahrestagung 2021. Habig, S. & Vorst, H. V. (eds.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 72-75 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; vol. 42).

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