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

    Coherence in European Environmental Law with particular regard to the industrial emissions directive

    Sanden, J., 2012, In: European Energy and Environmental Law Review. 21, 5, p. 220-238 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Brominated flame retardants and dechlorane plus in the marine atmosphere from Southeast Asia toward Antarctica

    Möller, A., Xie, Z., Cai, M., Sturm, R. & Ebinghaus, R., 20.03.2012, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 46, 6, p. 3141-3148 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Isolation of a Na v channel blocking polypeptide from Cyanea capillata medusae: A neurotoxin contained in fishing tentacle isorhizas

    Lassen, S., Wiebring, A., Helmholz, H., Ruhnau, C. & Prange, A., 05.2012, In: Toxicon. 59, 6, p. 610-616 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

    Jayaprakash, M., Nagarajan, R., Velmurugan, P. M., Sathiyamoorthy, J., Krishnamurthy, R. R. & Urban, B., 12.2012, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 184, 12, p. 7407-7424 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Effect of safflower oil on the protective properties of the in situ formed salivary pellicle

    Hannig, C., Wagenschwanz, C., Pötschke, S., Kümmerer, K., Kensche, A., Hoth-Hannig, W. & Hannig, M., 08.2012, In: Caries Research. 46, 5, p. 496-506 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Does isolation affect phenotypic variability and fluctuating asymmetry in the endangered Red Apollo?

    Habel, J. C., Reuter, M., Drees, C. & Pfaender, J., 08.2012, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 16, 4, p. 571-579 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Collaborative modelling for active involvement of stakeholders in urban flood risk management

    Evers, M., Jonoski, A., Maksimovič, C. T., Lange, L., Ochoa Rodriguez, S., Teklesadik, A., Cortes Arevalo, J., Almoradie, A., Simões, N. E., Wang, L. & Makropoulos, C., 12.09.2012, In: Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences . 12, 9, p. 2821-2842 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Aquatic habitat use by amphibians with specific reference to Rana temporaria at high elevations (Retezat Mountains National Park, Romania)

    Cogǎlniceanu, D., Bǎncilǎ, R., Plǎiaşu, R., Samoilǎ, C. & Hartel, T., 01.01.2012, In: International Journal of Limnology. 48, 4, p. 355-362 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Impact of emission reductions between 1980 and 2020 on atmospheric benzo[a]pyrene concentrations over europe

    Bieser, J., Aulinger, A., Matthias, V. & Quante, M., 03.2012, In: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 223, 3, p. 1393-1414 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Innovative teaching for sustainable development - approaches and trends

    Mader, C. & Mader, M., 2012, Higher Education in the World 4: Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability: from Understanding to Action. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 228-229 2 p. (GUNI Series on the social commitment of universities; vol. 4).

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