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

    Decreasing Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Gas Emissions in Transportation: Sensing, control and reduction of emissions

    Palocz-Andresen, M., 2013, Springer Verlag. 121 p. (Green Energy and Technology; vol. 14)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  2. Published

    Deconstructing a 2-year long transdisciplinary sustainability project in Northern universities: is rhetorical nobility obscuring procedural and political discords?

    Ghosh, A., 01.07.2020, In: Sustainability Science. 15, 4, p. 1111-1127 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Decolonizing RFMOs: The Case of The United Kingdom’s IOTC Membership on Behalf of the Chagos Archipelago

    Schatz, V. J., 14.10.2024, International Fisheries Law: Persistent and Emerging Challenges. Kunoy, B., Heidar, T. & Yiallourides, C. (eds.). London: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 17-33 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    DECODING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO PROBLEMATIZE COMPLEX CONCEPTS

    Fischer, M., 26.10.2018, In: RISUS-JOURNAL ON INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY. 9, 3, p. 149-159 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

    Scheele, B. C., Driscoll, D. A., Fischer, J. & Hunter, D. A., 01.11.2012, In: Ecosphere. 3, 11, p. 1-15 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Deckschichten an Wasserstrassen

    Brinkmann, B., Trentmann, J. & Saathoff, F., 2002, In: Binnenschifffahrt. 57, 6

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Decision Support Through Carbon Management Accounting - A Framework-Based Literature Review

    Zvezdov, D. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2016, Corporate Carbon and Climate Accounting. Schaltegger, S., Zvezdov, D., Alvarez Etxeberria, I. & Günther, E. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 27-44 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Decision Support System

    Schrickel, I., 06.2021, Enzyklopädie der Genauigkeit. Krajewski, M., von Schöning, A. & Wimmer, M. (eds.). Konstanz: Konstanz University Press, p. 62-73 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  10. Published

    Decision-making for nature’s contributions to people in the Cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge

    Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 05.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 3, p. 739-760 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review