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. 2008
  2. Published

    The footprint of pesticide stress in communities-Species traits reveal community effects of toxicants

    Liess, M., Schäfer, R. B. & Schriever, C. A., 01.12.2008, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 406, 3, p. 484-490 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. 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

  4. Published

    Guest Editors of Special Issue: Sustainability in higher education research

    Beringer, A., Adomßent, M. & Scott, W., 12.2008, In: Environmental Education Research. 14, 6, p. 603-606 4 p.

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

  5. Published

    Isotopic composition of nitrate in five German rivers discharging into the North Sea

    Johannsen, A., Dähnke, K. & Emeis, K., 12.2008, In: Organic Geochemistry. 39, 12, p. 1678-1689 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    The European species of Chalarus Walker, 1834 revisited (Diptera: Pipunculidae)

    Kehlmaier, C. & Aßmann, T., 19.11.2008, In: Zootaxa. 1936, 1, p. 1-39 39 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Long-term stream invertebrate community alterations induced by the insecticide thiacloprid: Effect concentrations and recovery dynamics

    Beketov, M. A., Marwitz, A., Paschke, A., Liess, M. & Schäfer, R. B., 01.11.2008, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 405, 1-3, p. 96-108 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Macroecological patterns of spider species richness across Europe

    Finch, O.-D., Blick, T. & Schuldt, A., 11.2008, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 17, 12, p. 2849-2868 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Xenotransplantation: Prävention des xenogenen Infektionsrisikos: Eine Untersuchung zum deutschen und spanischen Recht

    Guerra González, J., 20.10.2008, Frankfurt: Peter Lang Verlag. 348 p. (Recht und Medizin; vol. 91)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsEducation

  10. Published

    Relating the philosophy and practice of ecological economics: the role of concepts, models, and case studies in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research

    Baumgärtner, S., Becker, C., Frank, K., Müller, B. & Quaas, M., 15.10.2008, In: Ecological Economics. 67, 3, p. 384-393 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Agro-biodiversity as natural insurance and the development of financial insurance markets

    Baumgärtner, S. & Quaas, M. F., 06.10.2008, Agrobiodiversity conservation and economic development. Kontoleon, A., Pascual, U. & Smale, M. (eds.). Abingdon: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 293-317 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

Recently viewed