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

    Fallstudie Novartis: Integration der sozialen Dimension in die Unternehmesstrategie

    Spirig, K. & Dubielzig, F., 2005, Das Unternehmen in der Gesellschaft: die soziale Dimension der Nachhaltigkeit in Theorie und Praxis ; was leisten Schweizer Unternehmen?. Hildesheimer, G. (ed.). Zürich: Schweizerische Vereinigung für ökologisch bewußte Unternehmensführung, p. 69 1 p.

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

  2. Published

    Fallstudie eines modellhaften Weiterbildungsprogramms für Journalist_innen: Zertifikatstudium Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus

    Fischer, D., Marwege, R. & Michelsen, G., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus : Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 81-94 14 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

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

  3. Published

    Falling “fortresses”: Unlocking Governance Entanglements and Shifting Knowledge Paradigms to Counter Climate Change Threats in Biodiversity Conservation

    Ghosh, A., Sen, A., Dutta, K. & Ghosh, P., 01.02.2022, In: Environmental Management. 69, 2, p. 305-322 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Fälle unternehmerischer Nachhaltigkeit: Lerninstrumente für Forschung, Lehre und Praxis

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2011, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 20 p. (CSM-Newsletter; vol. 1/2011)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  5. Published

    Fallbeispiele Abflussbildung

    Wittenberg, H., 2005, Abflussbildung: Prozessbeschreibung und Fallbeispiele. Bronstert, A. (ed.). Hennef: Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall, p. 113-117 5 p.

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

  6. Published

    Faktor Fünf: Rezension zu Weizsäcker/Hargroves/Smith: Faktor Fünf - Die Formel für nachhaltiges Wachstum

    Schomerus, T., 08.2010, In: Natur und Recht. 32, 8, p. 556-557 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  7. Published

    Failed mobility transition in an ideal setting and implications for building a green city

    Andert, M. & Nagel, M., 02.12.2024, In: Npj Climate Action. 3, 1, 15 p., 114.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Factors of success and failure for computer-aided instruments in environmental planning

    Evers, M., 2008, Environmental informatics and industrial ecology: proceedings of the 22nd International Conference Environmental Informatics - Informatics for Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development and Risk Management, September 10 - 12, 2008, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany . Möller, A., Page, B. & Schreiber, M. (eds.). Aachen: Shaker Verlag, p. 75-92 18 p. (Enrivo Info).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  9. Published

    Factors affecting fruit set in Aizoaceae species of the Succulent Karoo

    Pufal, G., Mayer, C., Porembski, S. & Juergens, N., 01.07.2008, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 9, 4, p. 401-409 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Facing the heat: A systematic literature review exploring the transferability of solutions to cope with urban heat waves

    Hintz, M. J., Lüderitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2018, In: Urban Climate. 24, p. 714-727 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review