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

    Korngrößenabhängigkeit der Verteilung ausgesuchter schwerflüchtiger organischer Substanzen in Flusssedimenten und Schlussfolgerungen für die Sedimentanalytik

    Opel, O., 2004, 1. ed., Hildeshelm: Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Ökologie , 61 p. (Oberirdische Gewässer; vol. 22).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  2. Published

    Effects of forest management on species diversity of vascular plants in northern Germany

    Oheimb, G., Ellenberg, H. & Kriebitzsch, W.-U., 2001, Funktionelle Bedeutung von Biodiversität: Kurzfassungen der Beiträge zur 31. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie in Basel vom 27.-31.8.2001. Zotz, G. & Körner, C. (eds.). Berlin: Parey Verlag , Vol. 31. p. 101 1 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; vol. 31).

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

  3. Published

    Ist der Naturschutz auf dem "Gender-Auge" blind? mehr Geschlechtergerechtigkeit gefordert

    Grüning, J., 2004, In: Rundbrief Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung. 3, p. 6-7 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Welche Gefäßpflanzenarten können als typische Waldarten gelten?

    Schmidt, M., Oheimb, G., Kriebitzsch, W. U. & Ellenberg, H., 2002, Landschaft im Wandel - Ökologie im Wandel: Kurzfassung der Beiträge zur 32. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie in Cottbus vom 16.-20.9.2002. Peschel, T. (ed.). Göttingen: Die Werkstatt Verlag, p. 59 1 p.

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

  5. Published

    Shifts in N and P Budgets of Heathland Ecosystems: Effects of Management and Atmospheric Inputs

    Haerdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Gerke, A.-K., Niemeyer, M., Niemeyer, T., Aßmann, T., Drees, C., Matern, A. & Meyer, H., 02.2009, In: Ecosystems. 12, 2, p. 298-310 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Memorandum: Verantwortlichkeit Deutschlands für die weltweite Erhaltung von Arten

    Gruttke, H., Ludwig, G., Schnittler, M., Binot-Hafke, M., Fritzlar, F., Kuhn, J., Aßmann, T., Brunken, H., Denz, O., Detzel, P., Henle, K., Kuhlmann, M., Laufer, H., Meinig, H., Müller-Motzfeld, G., Schütz, P., Voith, J., Welk, E. & Matern, A., 2004, Ermittlung der Verantwortlichkeit für die Erhaltung mitteleuropäischer Arten: Referate und Ergebnisse des Symposiums "Ermittlung der Verantwortlichkeit für die Weltweite Erhaltung von Tierarten mit Vorkommen in Mitteleuropa" auf der Insel Vilm vom 17. - 20. November 2003 . Gruttke, H. (ed.). Münster: BfN-Schriftenvertrieb im Landwirtschaftsverlag, p. 273-280 8 p. (Naturschutz und biologische Vielfalt; vol. 8).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  7. Published

    Umweltrechnungslegung in Südostasien: Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und Wissenstransfer

    Herzig, C., Schaltegger, S., Tharun, G. & Viere, T., 01.09.2005, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 20, 3, p. 10-11 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  8. Published

    The Role of Formalisation, Participation and Context in the Success of Public Involvement Mechanisms in Resource Management

    Newig, J., Gaube, V., Berkhoff, K., Kaldrack, K., Kastens, B., Lutz, J., Schlussmeier, B., Adensam, H. & Haberl, H., 01.12.2008, In: Systemic Practice and Action Research. 21, 6, p. 423-441 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Einfluss forstlicher Nutzung auf die Artenvielfalt und Artenzusammensetzung der Gefäßpflanzen in norddeutschen Laubwäldern

    Oheimb, G., 2003, Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kovač. 261 p. (Schriftenreihe naturwissenschaftliche Forschungsergebnisse)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  10. Published

    Axel Springer Verlag: Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement am Druckstandort

    Bieder, T., Friese, A. & Hahn, T., 2002, Nachhaltig managen mit der Balanced Scorecard: Konzept und Fallstudien. Schaltegger, S. & Dyllick, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Dr. Gabler Verlag, p. 167-197 31 p.

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