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. 2022
  2. Published

    A scale-up procedure to dialkyl carbonates; evaluation of their properties, biodegradability, and toxicity

    Trapasso, G., Salaris, C., Reich, M., Logunova, E., Salata, C., Kümmerer, K., Figoli, A. & Aricò, F., 01.05.2022, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 26, 100639.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Conservation value of semi-open habitats for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Cicindelidae) in Central Europe

    Boutaud, E., Nolte, D., Harry, I., Aßmann, T. & Drees, C., 01.05.2022, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 31, 5-6, p. 1469-1489 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    From Claiming to Creating Value: The Psychology of Negotiations on Common Resource Dilemmas

    Trötschel, R., Treek, M., Heydenbluth, C., Zhang, K. & Majer, J. M., 01.05.2022, In: Sustainability. 14, 9, 26 p., 5257.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Improved models, improved information? Exploring how climate change impacts pollen, influenza, and mold in Berlin and its surroundings

    Langendijk, G. S., Rechid, D. & Jacob, D., 01.05.2022, In: Urban Climate. 43, 21 p., 101159.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    On the economics of storage for electricity: Current state and future market design prospects

    Haas, R., Kemfert, C., Auer, H., Ajanovic, A., Sayer, M. & Hiesl, A., 01.05.2022, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment. 11, 3, 27 p., e431.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Spring barley performance benefits from simultaneous shallow straw incorporation and top dressing as revealed by rhizotrons with resealable sampling ports

    Reichel, R., Kamau, C. W., Kumar, A., Li, Z., Radl, V., Temperton, V. M., Schloter, M. & Brüggemann, N., 01.05.2022, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 4, p. 375-388 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    The importance of product lifetime labelling for purchase decisions: Strategic implications for corporate sustainability based on a conjoint analysis in Germany

    Jacobs, K. & Hörisch, J., 01.05.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 4, p. 1275-1291 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Using measures of reading time regularity (RTR) to quantify eye movement dynamics, and how they are shaped by linguistic information

    Tschense, M. & Wallot, S., 01.05.2022, In: Journal of Vision. 22, 6, 21 p., 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Decision-making for nature’s contributions to people in the Cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge

    Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 05.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 3, p. 739-760 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review