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

    Heterogeneity of demands for nature’s contributions to people and nature’s values by farmers: insights from the Kilimanjaro social-ecological system

    Sanya, J., Gross, M., Mwampamba, T. H., Pearson, J., Sesabo, J. K., Riechers, M., Kinabo, N. R., Krail, V. & Martín-López, B., 2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 2

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published
  3. Published

    Effectiveness of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in nurses with shift work sleep disorder: Results of a randomized controlled trial

    Brückner, H. A., Ell, J., Kalon, L., Strahler, J., Ducki, A., Riemann, D., Buntrock, C., Spiegelhalder, K. & Lehr, D., 09.2025, In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. 169, 105112.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Feasibility of online group stress management training compared to web-based individual training for employees—a randomized pilot study

    Boß, L., Hannibal, S. & Lehr, D., 24.04.2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 12 p., 1524285.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    System capacities and implementation challenges in Germany's electric vehicle policy mix: an actor-centered review of the policy mix

    Gathen, L., Upham, P. & Newig, J., 08.2025, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 218, 12 p., 115787.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Efficacy of a Self-Guided Internet Intervention With Optional On-Demand Feedback Versus Digital Psychoeducation on Sleep Hygiene for University Students With Insomnia: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Zarski, A. C., Bernstein, K., Baumeister, H., Lehr, D., Wernicke, S., Küchler, A. M., Kählke, F., Spiegelhalder, K. & Ebert, D. D., 08.05.2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, e58024.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Accepted/In press

    Sensemaking and abductive reasoning for transformative biodiversity conservation

    Cortés-Capano, G., Loos, J., Hausmann, A. & Kortetmäki, T., 13.05.2025, (Accepted/In press) In: People and Nature.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Inquiry-based learning as an approach to realize inclusive science education

    Hofer, E. & Abels, S., 29.05.2025, Innovative Teaching and Classroom Processes: Research Perspectives from Germany and China. Ehmke, T. & Chi-Kin Lee, J. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 74-87 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Accepted/In press

    Changing the decision context to enable social learning for climate adaptation

    Colloff, M. J., Gorddard, R., Munera-Roldán, C., Locatelli, B., Lavorel, S., Allain, S., Bruley, E., Butler, J. R. A., Dubo, T., Enokenwa Baa, O., González-García, A., Lécuyer, L., Lo, M., Loos, J., Palomo, I., Topp, E., Vallet, A. & Walters, G., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: People and Nature.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Digital Health Literacy of Children and Adolescents and Its Association With Sociodemographic Factors: Representative Study Findings From Germany

    Stauch, L., Renninger, D., Rangnow, P., Hartmann, A., Fischer, L., Dadaczynski, K. & Okan, O., 05.05.2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, 15 p., e69170.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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