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

    Devianz

    Plewig, H.-J., 2007, Fachlexikon der sozialen Arbeit. Mulot, R. (ed.). 6 ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  2. Published

    Develop, then intensify

    Hanspach, J., Abson, D. J., Loos, J., Tichit, M., Chappell, M. J. & Fischer, J., 16.08.2013, In: Science. 341, 6147, p. 713-713 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Developments in Qualitative Mindfulness Practice Research: a Pilot Scoping Review

    Frank, P. & Marken, M., 01.01.2022, In: Mindfulness. 13, 1, p. 17-36 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Development perspectives for the application of autonomous, unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in wildlife conservation

    Fust, P. & Loos, J., 01.01.2020, In: Biological Conservation. 241, 4 p., 108380.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Development of tools to prevent food waste: Short Version of the Final Report

    Jepsen, D., Vollmer, A., Eberle, U., Fels, J. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, Dessau: Umweltbundesamt, 130 p. (Texte; no. 86/2016).

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsTransfer

  6. Published

    Development of environmentally biodegradable drugs: what are the key challenges?

    Bertram, M. G., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Jörg, M., 01.2025, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery. 20, 1, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  7. Published
  8. Published
  9. Published

    Development of an Interdisciplinary, Intercultural Master’s Program on Sustainability: Learning from the Richness of Diversity

    van Dam-Mieras, R., Lansu, A., Rieckmann, M. & Michelsen, G., 03.2008, In: Innovative Higher Education. 32, 5, p. 251-264 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Development of an ex-vitro system allowing plant-bacteria interactions through VOCs in the context of water stress

    Mendaluk - Saunier de Cazenave, M., Baudson, C., Delory, B., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 07.02.2014, Book of short abstracts, poster presentations: 19th National Symposium on Applied Biological Sciences. Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, p. 98 1 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearch