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

    Sustainable consumption: how to evaluate sustainability in consumption acts

    Fischer, D., Michelsen, G., Blättel-Mink, B. & Di Giulio, A., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it. : Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., Di Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 67-80 14 p. (Results of Social-ecological research; vol. 14).

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

  2. Published

    Schools and their ‚culture of consumption‘: a context for consumer learning

    Barth, M., Fischer, D., Michelsen, G. & Rode, H., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it. : Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., Di Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 229-244 16 p. (Results of Social-ecological Research; vol. 14).

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

  3. Published

    Conceptualizing sustainable consumption: Toward an integrative framework

    Di Giulio, A., Fischer, D., Schäfer, M. & Blättel-Mink, B., 01.04.2014, In: Sustainability: Science, Practice, and Policy. 10, 1, p. 45-61 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    A comprehensive method for determination of fatty acids in the initial oral biofilm (pellicle)

    Reich, M., Hannig, C., Al-Ahmad, A., Bolek, R. & Kuemmerer, K., 01.10.2012, In: Journal of Lipid Research. 53, 10, p. 2226-2230 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published
  7. Published

    Success Factors of Biofuel Feedstock Investments: An Empirical Analysis Applying Resource-Based Theory

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Kügemann, M., 2012, Sustainability: Enabling a Transdisciplinary Approach: Abstract band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, p. 40 1 p.

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

  8. Published

    Appetizers for Business Integration into the heavy Meal of Transdisciplinary Practices: A Case Study Approach

    Mirkovic, S., 2012, Sustainability: Enabling a Transdisciplinary Approach: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, p. 25 1 p.

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

  9. Published

    Herausforderung Nachhaltigkeit: Sozial-ökologische Orientierungen für die Entwicklung ländlicher Räume

    Mölders, T., Burandt, A. & Szumelda, A. U., 2012, In: Europa Regional. 18, 2-3, p. 95-106 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Random peptide library displayed on AAV vectors targeting human primary coronary artery endothelial cells

    Kleinschmidt, J., Müller, O., Trepel, M., Kaul, F. & Leder, C., 30.09.2004, IPC No. C12N 15/10 (2006.01), PCT/EP2004/002923 , WIPO - Weltorganisation für geistiges Eigentum, Patent No. WO 2004083441, 19.03.2004, Priority date 19.03.2003

    Research output: PatentsPatent