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

    The role of plant biodiversity in modifying the structure and functioning of higher tropic Levels in species-rich forests

    Schuldt, A., 10.09.2015, Lüneburg. 269 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesPost-doctoral dissertations

  2. Published

    The role of perceptions and social norms in shaping women’s fertility preferences: a case study from Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Manlosa, A. O., Fischer, J., Schultner, J., Hanspach, J., Senbeta, F. & Dorresteijn, I., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2473-2488 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The role of nesting resources and competition between honey bees and wild bees in the Lüneburger Heath

    Hudewenz, A. & Klein, A.-M., 2013, Building Bridges in Ecology – Linking Systems, Scales and Disciplines: Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie. Gesellschaft für Ökologie, p. 79-80 2 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; no. 43).

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

  4. Published

    The Role of Linked Social-Ecological Systems in a Mobile Agent-Based Ecosystem Service from Giant Honey Bees (Apis dorsata) in an Indigenous Community Forest in Palawan, Philippines

    Matias, D. M. S., Borgemeister, C., Sémah, A. M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2019, In: Human Ecology. 47, 6, p. 905-915 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published
  7. Published

    The role of institutions in food system transformations: lessons learned from transdisciplinary engagements in Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Indonesia

    Manlosa, A. O., Partelow, S., Jiren, T. S., Riechers, M. & Paramita, A. O., 01.01.2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 15 p., 2146753.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. E-pub ahead of print

    The Role of Individual Beliefs for Corporate Sustainability Transformations

    Buhr, M. & Weissbrod, I., 28.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility. 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    The role of gestures in a teacher-student-discourse about atoms

    Abels, S. J., 06.07.2016, In: Chemistry education Research and Practice. 17, 3, p. 618-628 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The Role of Formalisation, Participation and Context in the Success of Public Involvement Mechanisms in Resource Management

    Newig, J., Gaube, V., Berkhoff, K., Kaldrack, K., Kastens, B., Lutz, J., Schlussmeier, B., Adensam, H. & Haberl, H., 01.12.2008, In: Systemic Practice and Action Research. 21, 6, p. 423-441 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review