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

    Landscape factors affecting Parakeet damage to sunflower fields in Israel

    Schäckermann, J., Mandelik, Y. & Klein, A.-M., 2011, Book of abstracts: 41st annual meeting "Ecololgical Functions, Patters, Processes", University of Oldenburg, 5- 9 September 2011. Minden, V. (ed.). Oldenburg: Gesellschaft für Ökologie, p. 111 1 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; no. 41).

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

  2. Published

    Endemic predators, invasive prey and native diversity

    Wanger, T. C., Wielgoss, A. C., Motzke, I., Clough, Y., Brook, B. W., Sodhi, N. S. & Tscharntke, T., 07.03.2011, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 278, 1706, p. 690-694 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The amphibians and reptiles of the Lore Lindu National Park area, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

    Wanger, T. C., Motzke, I., Saleh, S. & Iskandar, D. T., 20.02.2011, In: Salamandra. 47, 1, p. 17-29 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    University-Industry Collaboration to Stimulate Learning in the Context of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations

    Klewitz, J., 2012, Leuphana Sustainability Summit: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

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

  5. Published

    Beyond the Supply Chain – Sustainability-Oriented Product Innovations through a Transdisciplinary Approach

    Klewitz, J. & Harms, D., 2012, Sustainability: Enabling a Transdisciplinary Approach: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

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

  6. Published

    Biological Diversity and Education for Sustainable Development: Key Topics and Starting Points for Educational Programs

    Working Group on Biological Diversity & Leicht, A. (Editor), 2011, Bonn: Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission, 36 p.

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  7. Published

    Sustainability communication: an integrative approach

    Adomßent, M., 2011, Sustainability Communication : Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Theoretical Foundations. Godemann, J. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media, p. 27-38 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  8. Published

    Wissenskommunikation als Möglichkeitsraum umweltpolitischer Verständigung – ein Blick auf die individuelle Handlungsebene

    Adomßent, M., 2011, In: Umweltpsychologie. 15, 2, p. 13-36 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    In search of the knowledge triangle for regional sustainable development: the role of universities

    Adomßent, M., 2011, Multi-Actor Learning for Sustainable Regional Development in Europe: A Handbook of Best Practice. Guildford: Grosvenor House Publishing, p. 5-18 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  10. Published

    Hochschulen und nachhaltige Entwicklung in der Region

    Adomßent, M., 2011, Hochschulen für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung : Nachhaltigkeit in Forschung, Lehre und Betrieb. Bonn: Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission, p. 52-53 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch