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

    Projektband zum Forschenden Lernen im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Abels, S., 28.06.2022, Studentische Forschung im Praxissemester: Fallbeispiel aus der Lehrkräftebildung. Beckmann, T., Ehmke, T. & Besser, M. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 73-77 5 p.

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

  2. Published

    Taxonomic revision of the African and Southwest Asian species of Platyderus Stephens, subg. Eremoderus Jeanne (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Sphodrini)

    Guéorguiev, B., Wrase, D. W., Assmann, T., Muilwijk, J. & Machard, P., 13.06.2022, In: Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 69, 1, p. 71-122 52 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Collaborative governance or state regulation? Endless efforts but little capacity for sustainability transformation of the German textile sector

    Beyers, F., Leventon, J. & Heinrichs, H., 02.2023, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 33, 1, p. 56-77 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Making transdisciplinarity happen: Phase 0, or before the beginning

    Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Leventon, J. & Lang, D. J., 01.10.2022, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 136, p. 187-197 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Can guided introspection help avoid rationalization of meat consumption? Mixed-methods results of a pilot experimental study

    Frank, P., Heimann, K., Kolbe, V. & Schuster, C., 01.09.2022, In: Cleaner and Responsible Consumption. 6, 10 p., 100070.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Amplifying actions for food system transformation: insights from the Stockholm region

    Lam, D. P. M., Jiménez-Aceituno, A., Guerrero Lara, L., Sellberg, M. M., Norström, A. V., Moore, M.-L., Peterson, G. D. & Olsson, P., 11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2379-2395 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces II: Towards an Agenda for Research

    Crawford, J., Walsh, C., Sielker, F. & Smith, G., 06.2022, In: Planning Practice and Research. 37, 3, p. 269-275 7 p.

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

  8. Published

    Institutional entrepreneurship for responsible digital innovation: The case of corporate digital responsibility

    Trittin-Ulbrich, H. & Böckel, A., 01.09.2022, In: Creativity and Innovation Management. 31, 3, p. 447-459 13 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Spatial imaginaries in flood risk management: insights from a managed retreat initiative in upper Bavaria

    Walsh, C., Lennon, M., Scott, M. & Tubridy, F., 01.10.2023, In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 66, 13, p. 2668-2690 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Effects of tree diversity on canopy space occupation vary with tree size and canopy space definition in a mature broad-leaved forest

    Georgi, L., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Bienert, A., Maas, H.-G. & von Oheimb, G., 15.08.2022, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 323, 109055.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review