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

    The Internet as a Tool for Sustainability Accounting and Reporting? An Analysis of the German DAX 30 Companies

    Giese, N., Godemann, J., Herzig, C. & Hetze, K., 2012, European Academy of Management 2012: Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 1-37 38 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  3. Published

    The Political Role of the Business Firm: An Ordonomic Concept of Corporate Citizen-ship Developed in Comparison with the Aristo-telian Idea of Individual Citizenship

    Pies, I., Beckmann, M. & Hielscher, S., 2012, Halle-Wittenberg, Sachsen-Anhalt: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 37 p. (Diskussionspapiere; vol. 2012, no. 1).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  4. Published

    The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List

    Fichtner, A., Knapp, H. D. & Engels, B., 2012, Beech Forests Joint Natural Heritage of Europe (2): The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List. Knapp, H. D. & Fichtner, A. (eds.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 9-20 12 p.

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

  5. Published

    The Role of the Accountants in Corporate Sustainability Accounting. An Analysis from a Promotor Perspective

    Zvezdov, D., 2012, European Academy of Management (EURAM) : EURAM 2012 Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 97 1 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  6. Published

    The Second Half of the UN Decade Education for Sustainable Development in Germany: Topics, Trends and Gaps

    Holz, V., 2012, Education for Sustainable Development - European Approaches . Holz, V. & Stoltenberg, U. (eds.). 1 ed. Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, Vol. 7. p. 145-182 37 p. (Innovationen in den Hochschulen - Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 7).

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

  7. Published

    Thesen zum Stellenwert und zu Potenzialen gerechtigkeitsbasierter Naturschutzkommunikation

    Adomßent, M., 2012, Gerechtigkeitsargumente – Chancen und Herausforderungen für die Naturschutzkommunikation. : Dokumentation eines interdisziplinären Workshops am 29. März 2012 im BfN. B. F. N. (ed.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 37-41 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  8. Published

    Transcultural Science from the Perspective of international Organisations

    Thein, K. N. N. & Urban, B., 2012, Von der Internationalisierung der Hochschule zur Transkulturellen Wissenschaft: Wissenschaftliche Konferenz 2010 an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Cremer-Renz, C. & Jansen-Schulz, B. (eds.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, p. 283-300 18 p.

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

  9. Published

    Transdisciplinary Research

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 2012, The Encyclopedia of Sustainability: Measurements, Indicators, and Research Methods for Sustainability. Fogel, D., Fredericks, S., Harrington, L. & Spellerberg, I. (eds.). Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing, Vol. 6. p. 355 - 358 4 p.

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

  10. Published

    UNESCO chairs for (higher) education for sustainable development

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, In: IAU Horizons. 18, 2, p. 16-17 2 p.

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

  11. Published

    University-Industry Collaboration to Stimulate Learning in the Context of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations

    Klewitz, J., 2012, Leuphana Sustainability Summit: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

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