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

    A social-ecological approach to support equitable land use decision-making

    Brück, M., Benra, F., Duguma, D. W., Fischer, J., Jiren, T. S., Law, E. A., Pacheco-Romero, M., Schultner, J. & Abson, D. J., 12.2024, In: Ambio. 53, 12, p. 1752-1767 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Asia Pacific Perspectives on Accounting for Sustainability: An Introduction

    Lee, K.-H. & Schaltegger, S., 2018, Accounting for Sustainability : Asia Pacific Perspectives. Lee, K.-H. & Schaltegger, S. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 1-8 8 p. (Eco-efficiency in industry and science; vol. 33).

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

  3. Published

    A scale-up procedure to dialkyl carbonates; evaluation of their properties, biodegradability, and toxicity

    Trapasso, G., Salaris, C., Reich, M., Logunova, E., Salata, C., Kümmerer, K., Figoli, A. & Aricò, F., 01.05.2022, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 26, 100639.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Arzneimittelrückstände in Trinkwasser und Gewässern: Endbericht zum TA-Projekt

    Klauer, B., Aicher , C., Bratan, T., Eberle, U., Hillenbrand , T., Kümmerer, K., Reuter , W., Schiller, J., Schulte-Römer , N., Schramm, E., Tettenborn, F., Völker, C. & Walz , A., 09.01.2020, Köln: Bundesanzeiger Verlag, 146 p. (TAB-Arbeitsbericht ; no. 183)(Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen; no. 19/16430).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  5. Published

    Artificial intelligence, systemic risks, and sustainability

    Galaz, V., Centeno, M. A., Callahan, P. W., Causevic, A., Patterson, T., Brass, I., Baum, S., Farber, D., Fischer, J., Garcia, D., McPhearson, T., Jimenez, D., King, B., Larcey, P. & Levy, K., 01.11.2021, In: Technology in Society. 67, 10 p., 101741.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Arthropod but not bird predation in Ethiopian homegardens is higher in tree-poor than in tree-rich landscapes

    Lemessa, D., Hambäck, P. A. & Hylander, K., 11.05.2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 5, 12 p., e0126639.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Artful sustainability governance—Foundational considerations on sensory-informed policymaking for sustainable development

    Heinrichs, H., 01.07.2020, In: Sustainable Development. 28, 4, p. 791-799 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Artful and sensory sustainability science: Exploring novel methodological perspectives

    Heinrichs, H. & Kagan, S., 30.09.2019, In: Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability. 8, 3, p. 431-442 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Artenvielfalt in norddeutschen Wäldern: welche Gefäßpflanzen sind waldtypisch?

    Schmidt, M., Oheimb, G., Kriebitzsch, W. U. & Ellenberg, H., 2003, In: AFZ, der Wald. 58, 2, p. 96-99 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Artenschutz auf der Lieferantenliste: Biodiversitätsschutz - Ein neues Ziel im Einkauf?

    Beständig, U. & Hörmann, S., 2012, In: Forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften. 02, p. 128-129 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer