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

    SMOKE for Europe-adaptation, modification and evaluation of a comprehensive emission model for Europe

    Bieser, J., Aulinger, A., Matthias, V., Quante, M. & Builtjes, P., 25.01.2011, In: Geoscientific Model Development. 4, 1, p. 47-68 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    A grassroots initiative to disseminate solar energy technologies in Ethiopia: Implications to climate change education

    Dalelo, A., 2011, Experiences of Climate Change Adaptation in Africa. Filho, W. L. (ed.). Springer, p. 265-280 16 p. (Climate Change Management).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Predation risk indirectly enhances survival of seaweed recruits but not intraspecific competition in an intermediate herbivore species

    Molis, M., Preuss, I., Firmenich, A. & Ellrich, J., 05.2011, In: Journal of Ecology. 99, 3, p. 807-817 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Erratum to "Generic functions of railway stations-A conceptual basis for the development of common system understanding and assessment criteria" [Transp. Policy 18 (2010) 446-455]

    Zemp, S., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. J. & Scholz, R. W., 08.2011, In: Transport Policy. 18, 4, p. 648-648 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  5. Published

    Vertical emission profiles for Europe based on plume rise calculations

    Bieser, J., Aulinger, A., Matthias, V., Quante, M. & Denier Van Der Gon, H. A. C., 10.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 10, p. 2935-2946 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Stoffstromnetzbasierte Planung und Optimierung komplexer Produktionssysteme

    Viere, T., Brünner, H. & Hedemann, J., 10.2011, In: Chemie-Ingenieur-Technik. 83, 10, p. 1565-1572 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Sauberes wasser für Australien

    Birke, V. & Burmeier, H., 2011, In: GWF, Wasser - Abwasser. 152, 3, p. 243 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Editorial:Computer- und Internetgebrauch bei Kindern

    von Salisch, M., 2011, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 60, 9, p. 715-718 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  9. Published

    Waste water treatment plants as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

    Weinberg, I., Dreyer, A. & Ebinghaus, R., 01.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 1, p. 125-132 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Landfills as sources of polyfluorinated compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and musk fragrances to ambient air

    Weinberg, I., Dreyer, A. & Ebinghaus, R., 02.2011, In: Atmospheric Environment. 45, 4, p. 935-941 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review