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. 2012
  2. Published

    Integration der Ressourceneffizienz in die Ökodesign Richtlinie: Regelungsrahmen und Regelungsmöglichkeiten - Bestandsaufnahme

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Spengler, L., 05.2012, Hamburg: ÖKOPOL Institut für Ökologie und Politik GmbH, 52 p. (Arbeitspapier; no. FKZ 3708 95 300 ).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  3. Published

    Isolation of a Na v channel blocking polypeptide from Cyanea capillata medusae: A neurotoxin contained in fishing tentacle isorhizas

    Lassen, S., Wiebring, A., Helmholz, H., Ruhnau, C. & Prange, A., 05.2012, In: Toxicon. 59, 6, p. 610-616 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Optimal grazing management rules in semi-arid rangelands with uncertain rainfall

    Quaas, M. F. & Baumgärtner, S., 05.2012, In: Natural Resource Modeling. 25, 2, p. 364-387 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Structural elucidation of main ozonation products of the artificial sweeteners cyclamate and acesulfame

    Scheurer, M., Godejohann, M., Wick, A., Happel, O., Ternes, T. A., Brauch, H.-J., Ruck, W. & Lange, F. T., 05.2012, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 19, 4, p. 1107-1118 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Supporting wild pollinators in a temperate agricultural landscape: Maintaining mosaics of natural features and production

    Lentini, P. E., Martin, T., Gibbons, P., Fischer, J. & Cunningham, S. A., 05.2012, In: Biological Conservation. 149, 1, p. 84-92 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Sustainability Reporting in the German Banking Sector during the Financial Crisis

    Herzig, C., Giese, N., Hetze, K. & Godemann, J., 05.2012, In: International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development. 6, 2, p. 184-218 35 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Impact of tree saplings on the kinetic energy of rainfall: The importance of stand density, species identity and tree architecture in subtropical forests in China

    Geißler, C., Lang, A. C., Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Baruffol, M. & Scholten, T., 15.04.2012, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 156, p. 31-40 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Consequences of nuclear accidents for biodiversity and ecosystem services

    von Wehrden, H., Fischer, J., Brandt, P., Wagner, V., Kümmerer, K., Kuemmerle, T., Nagel, A., Olsson, O. & Hostert, P., 01.04.2012, In: Conservation Letters. 5, 2, p. 81-89 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Bifunctional proteins as a therapeutic strategy for improved myocardial repair in cardiovascular diseases

    Ziegler, M., Schönberger, T., Baumer, Y., Ochmann, C., Jürgens, T., Elvers, M., Leder, C., Schlosshauer, B. & Gawaz, M., 04.2012, Clin Res Cardiol: Suppl 1. Vol. 101. p. V1086 1 p.

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

  11. Published

    Das Fettsäureprofil des initialen oralen Biofilms (Pellikel) - eine In-situ-Studie

    Reich, M., Hannig, C., Al-Ahmad, A. & Kümmerer, K., 04.2012, In: Deutsche Zahnärztliche Zeitschrift. 67, 4, p. D18 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Human behavior and sustainability

    Fischer, J., Dyball, R., Fazey, I., Gross, C., Dovers, S., Ehrlich, P. R., Brulle, R., Christensen, C. & Borden, R., 04.2012, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 10, 3, p. 153-160 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    Is conceptual vagueness an asset? Arguments from philosophy of science applied to the concept of resilience

    Strunz, S., 04.2012, In: Ecological Economics. 76, p. 112-118 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Large trees are keystone structures in urban parks

    Stagoll, K., Lindenmayer, D. B., Knight, E., Fischer, J. & Manning, A. D., 04.2012, In: Conservation Letters. 5, 2, p. 115-122 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Modeling and predicting aquatic aerobic biodegradation: a review from a user’s perspective.

    Rücker, C. & Kümmerer, K., 04.2012, In: Green Chemistry . 14, 4, p. 875-887 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Nitrogen deposition increases susceptibility to drought - experimental evidence with the perennial grass Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench

    Friedrich, U., Oheimb, G., Kriebitzsch, W.-U., Schleßelmann, K., Weber, M. S. & Härdtle, W., 04.2012, In: Plant and Soil. 353, 1-2, p. 59-71 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Sorgefall Familienrecht: Ursachen und Folgen grundgesetzwidriger Praxis auf der Basis regelmäßigen Missbrauchs des Kindeswohlbegriffs

    Guerra González, J., 27.03.2012, Berlin: LIT Verlag. 144 p. (Schriften zum Zivilrecht; vol. 21)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  18. Published

    Dynamische Modellierung der Sorption von Substanzen in einem hydrologischen Einzugsgebietsmodell anhand des Beispiels Phosphor

    Gassmann, M. & Olsson, O., 22.03.2012, Wasser ohne Grenzen: Beiträge zum Tag der Hydrologie am 22./23. März 2012 an der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Weiler, M. (ed.). 1 ed. Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall, 6 p. (Forum für Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung; vol. 31.12).

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

  19. Published

    Psychophysiological Correlates of Flow-Experience

    Peifer, C., 21.03.2012, Advances in Flow-Research. Engeser, S. (ed.). New York: Springer, p. 139-164 26 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  20. Published

    Brominated flame retardants and dechlorane plus in the marine atmosphere from Southeast Asia toward Antarctica

    Möller, A., Xie, Z., Cai, M., Sturm, R. & Ebinghaus, R., 20.03.2012, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 46, 6, p. 3141-3148 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitssteuerung in der öffentlichen Verwaltung

    Heinrichs, H., 20.03.2012, Jahrbuch Verwaltungsmodernisierung Deutschland 2012. Berlin: Wegweiser Berlin Research & Strategy, p. 108-109 2 p.

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