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

    First automatic size measurements for the separation of dwarf birch and tree birch pollen in MIS 6 to MIS 1 records from Northern Germany

    Theuerkauf, M., Nehring, E., Gillert, A., Bodien, P. M., Hein, M. & Urban, B., 01.06.2024, In: Ecology and Evolution. 14, 6, 17 p., e11510.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Defining greener, healthier and more sustainable toys: A case study of L.O.L. Surprise!

    Fachina, S., Araripe, E. & Zeidler, V. G. Z., 01.10.2024, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 41, 10 p., 101661.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    A systematic review of peer-reviewed gender literature in sustainability science

    Frank, E., Mühlhaus, R., Mustelin, K. M., Trilken, E. L., Kreuz, N. K., Bowes, L. C., Backer, L. M. & von Wehrden, H., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1459-1480 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Lessons from Ethiopian coffee landscapes for global conservation in a post-wild world

    Hylander, K., Nemomissa, S., Fischer, J., Zewdie, B., Ayalew, B. & Tack, A. J. M., 12.2024, In: Communications Biology. 7, 1, 13 p., 714.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Collaborative governance and personal relationships for sustainability transformation in the textile sector

    Beyers, F., 12.2024, In: Scientific Reports. 14, 1, 10 p., 13347.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Investigating non-inferiority of internet-delivered versus face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): a randomised controlled trial (iSleep well)

    Benz, F., Grolig, L., Hannibal, S., Buntrock, C., Cuijpers, P., Domschke, K., Ebert, D. D., Ell, J., Janneck, M., Jenkner, C., Johann, A. F., Josef, A., Kaufmann, M., Koß, A., Mallwitz, T., Mergan, H., Morin, C. M., Riemann, D., Riper, H., Schmid, S. R., Smit, F., Spille, L., Steinmetz, L., Van Someren, E. J. W., Spiegelhalder, K. & Lehr, D., 12.2024, In: Trials. 25, 1, 17 p., 371.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Exploring cultural landscape narratives to understand challenges for collaboration and their implications for governance

    Schaal-Lagodzinski, T., König, B., Riechers, M., Heitepriem, N. & Leventon, J., 01.06.2024, In: Ecosystems and People. 20, 1, 16 p., 2320886.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The urgent need for designing greener drugs

    Brodin, T., Bertram, M. G., Arnold, K. E., Boxall, A. B. A., Brooks, B. W., Cerveny, D., Jörg, M., Kidd, K. A., Lertxundi, U., Martin, J. M., May, L. T., McCallum, E. S., Michelangeli, M., Tyler, C. R., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Orive, G., 08.2024, In: Nature Sustainability. 7, 8, p. 949-951 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  9. Published

    Determination and risk assessment of UV filters and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant in Lüneburg, Germany

    Ajibola, A. S., Reich, M. & Kümmerer, K., 08.2024, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 196, 8, 19 p., 725.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Welche Dienstleistungen benötigt die (große) Nachhaltigkeitstransformation

    Schaltegger, S., 2024, Sustainable Service Management: Band 2: Strategien und Umsetzung der Nachhaltigkeit. Bruhn, M. & Hadwich, K. (eds.). Springer Gabler, p. 239-252 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review