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 emotions in human–nature connectedness within Mediterranean landscapes in Spain

    Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Martín-López, B., Expósito-Granados, M., Alba-Patiño, D., Rodríguez-Caballero, E., García-Llorente, M. & Castro, A. J., 09.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 5, p. 2181-2197 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    The role of emerging scientists in restoration ecology: insights from a SER2023 conference workshop

    Weidlich, E. W. A., Amaral, V., Lengefeld, E., Reis, B. P., Garbowski, M., Martelli, E., Moraes, L. F. D. & Murphy, S. D., 03.2025, In: Restoration Ecology. 33, 3, 5 p., e14318.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  3. Published
  4. Published

    The Role of Campus, Curriculum, and Community in Higher Education for Sustainable Development: a Conference Report

    Müller-Christ, G., Sterling, S., van Dam-Mieras, R., Adomßent, M., Fischer, D. & Rieckmann, M., 01.01.2014, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 62, p. 134-137 4 p.

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

  5. Published

    The role of business models for sustainable consumption: A pattern approach

    Lüdeke-Freund, F., Froese, T. & Schaltegger, S., 01.10.2019, A Research Agenda for Sustainable Consumption Governance. Mont, O. (ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 86-104 19 p. (Elgar research agendas).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  6. Published

    The role of attitudes in technology acceptance management: Reflections on the case of hydrogen fuel cells in Europe

    Bögel, P., Oltra, C., Sala, R., Lores, M., Upham, P., Dütschke, E., Schneider, U. & Wiemann, P., 01.07.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 188, p. 125-135 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    The Role of Assessment and Quality Management in Transformations towards Sustainable Development: The Nexus between Higher Education, Society and Policy

    Mader, C., 11.2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Transformation of Learning and Society . Fadeeva, Z., Galkute , L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 66-83 18 p. 4. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published

    The Role of an SME’s Green Strategy in Public-Private Eco-innovation Initiatives: The Case of Ecoprofit

    Hansen, E. G. & Klewitz, J., 01.01.2012, In: Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. 25, 4, p. 451-477 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    The Role of Accountants in Controlling Sustainability Information

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2013, EMAN-EU 2013 Conference MATERIAL FLOW COST ACCOUNTING: CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. Guenther, E. & Bergmann, A. (eds.). Dresden: TU Dresden, Faculty of Business and Economics, p. 121-125 5 p.

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

  10. Published

    The role and benefits of population biological research for nature conservation monitoring

    Aßmann, T. & Günther, J., 2000, European monitoring for nature conservation: Proceedings of the International Symposium “Monitoring for Nature Conservation at a European Level”, Isle of Vilm, Germany, 1-5 March 1999. Bischoff, C. & Dröschmeister, R. (eds.). Bonn, Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 127-139 13 p. (Schriftenreihe für Landschaftspflege und Naturschutz; vol. 62).

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