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. 2013
  2. Published

    Integrating rural development and biodiversity conservation in Central Romania

    Newig, J., Milcu, A. I., Hartel, T., Mikulcak, F. & Fischer, J., 06.2013, In: Environmental Conservation. 40, 2, p. 129-137 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Internetbasierte kognitiv-behaviorale Behandlungsansätze: state of the art und Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Rehabilitation

    Lin, J., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Berking, M. & Baumeister, H., 06.2013, In: Die Rehabilitation. 52, 3, p. 155-163 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Learning for sustainable development in regional networks

    Dlouha, J., Barton, A., Huisingh, D. & Adomßent, M., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Monitoring networking between higher education institutions and regional actors

    Mader, M., Mader, C., Zimmermann, F. M., Görsdorf-Lechevin, E. & Diethart, M., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, Juni, p. 105-113 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Nachhaltige Wissenschaft in der akademischen Ausbildung: Das Programm einer transformativen Bildung an NaWis-Institutionen

    Chrubasik, N., Ernst, A., Lang, D. J., Schneidewind, U., Simon, K.-H., Singer-Brodowski, M. & Vilsmaier, U., 06.2013, In: GAIA. 22, 2, p. 132-134 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Relationships between human activity and richness and abundance of some bird species in the Paraguay river (Pantanal, Brazil)

    Lozano, J. & Malo, A. F., 06.2013, In: Ardeola. 60, 1, p. 99-112 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Sustainability process assessment on transformative potentials: The Graz Model for Integrative Development

    Mader, C., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, June, p. 54-63 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Correction: Bats in a farming landscape benefit from linear remnants and unimproved pastures

    Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Fischer, J., Law, B., Hanspach, J. & Martin, T. G., 23.05.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5

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

  10. Published

    Farmed areas predict the distribution of amphibian ponds in a traditional rural landscape

    Hartel, T. & von Wehrden, H., 21.05.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5, 8 p., e63649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Interactive effects among ecosystem services and management practices on crop production: Pollination in coffee agroforestry systems

    Boreux, V., Kushalappa, C. G., Vaast, P. & Ghazoul, J., 21.05.2013, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 110, 21, p. 8387-8392 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review