Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

The aim of research and teaching at our institute is to make an active contribution to shaping societal transformation towards sustainability. We work on appropriate scientific and philosophical foundations as well as on ways to include different (civil) societal actors in research processes.

The institute is subdivided into the following four core areas: (i) Sustainability Ethics (ii) Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research, (iii) Sustainability Science and (iv) Social Sustainability.

Main research areas

Unsere Forschung deckt ein breites Spektrum an thematischen und methodischen Zugängen ab. Innerhalb der Fakultät Nachhaltigkeit am Schnittpunkt von natur- und sozialwissenschaftlich fokussierter Forschung angesiedelt, ist unsere Arbeit geprägt durch inter- und transdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit - innerhalb der Universität und über ihre Grenzen hinaus.
Im Rahmen dieser Kooperationen arbeiten wir lösungsorientiert und zielen darauf ab, im wechselseitigen Austausch zwischen Wissenschaftlern/-innen unterschiedlicher Disziplinen sowie relevanten gesellschaftlichen Akteuren sozial robustes Wissen zu erzeugen.

Forschungsschwerpunkte und Kernkonzepte

Sustainability Science
Transdisziplinäre Nachhaltigkeitsforschung
Nachhaltigkeitsethik

  1. 2013
  2. Published

    Plausibility indications in future scenarios

    Wiek, A., Withycombe Keeler, L., Schweizer, V. & Lang, D. J., 2013, In: International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy. 9, 2-4, p. 133-147 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Supporting sustainability transitions by enhancing the human dimension via empowerment, social learning and social capital

    Schäpke, N., Omann, I., Mock, M., Wittmayer, J. M. & von Raggamby, A., 2013, Pathways, Transitions and Backcasting for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Lifestyles : SCORAI Europe Workshop Proceedings, SCORAI Europe & InContext Workshop, 7-8 October 2013, Rotterdam, The Netherlands . Quist, J., Wittmayer, J., Umpfenbach, K. & Bauler, T. (eds.). Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative Europe, p. 277-293 17 p. (Sustainable Consumption Transitions Series; vol. 3).

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

  4. Published

    Taking stock–Three years of addressing societal challenges on community level through action research: Pilot specific synthesis report

    Wittmayer, J. M., Mock, M., van Steenbergen, F., Baasch, S., Omann, I. & Schäpke, N., 2013, Berlin, 51 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  5. Published

    Tod eines Investmentbankers: eine Sittengeschichte der Finanzbranche

    Oermann, N. O., 2013, Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder Verlag. 255 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Transition management as an approach to deal with climate change

    Wesely, J., Feiner, G., Omann, I. & Schäpke, N., 2013, Transformation in a Changing Climate: Proceedings; International Conference in Oslo 19 - 21 June 2013. U. O. O. (ed.). Oslo: University of Oslo, p. 43-52 10 p.

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

  7. 2012
  8. Published

    Towards a More Sustainable Use of Scarce Metals: A Review of Intervention Options along the Metals Life Cycle

    Wäger, P. A., Lang, D. J., Wittmer, D., Bleischwitz, R. & Hagelüken, C., 11.12.2012, In: GAIA. 21, 4, p. 300 - 309 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Methods for Transdisciplinary Research: A Primer for Practice

    Bergmann, M., Jahn, T., Knobloch, T., Krohn, W., Pohl, C. & Schramm, E., 16.08.2012, Campus Verlag. 294 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  10. Published

    Transdisciplinarity: Between mainstreaming and marginalization

    Jahn, T., Bergmann, M. & Keil, F., 07.2012, In: Ecological Economics. 79, p. 1-10 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Environmental impacts of a transition toward e-mobility: the present and future role of lithium carbonate production

    Stamp, A., Lang, D. J. & Wäger, P. A., 03.2012, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 23, 1, p. 104-112 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice, principles, and challenges

    Lang, D. J., Wiek, A., Bergmann, M., Stauffacher, M., Martens, P., Moll, P., Swilling, M. & Thomas, C. J., 02.2012, In: Sustainability Science. 7, SUPPL. 1, p. 25-43 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    INSA – Indicator System Sustainable Agriculture

    Lutzenberger, A., Horn, A., Kahmann, B., Kilburg, M., Lichter, F., Mechsner, C., Priessner, C., Reinert, F., Röllig, M., Ruck, W., Stropahl, S. & Wilkens, V., 2012, Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. Milan: ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, p. 600-603 4 p.

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

  14. Published

    Integrating adaptation and mitigation to climatic changes

    Martens, P., Chang, C. T. & McEvoy, D., 2012, In: Regions. 288, 1, p. 18-20 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Lambarene

    Oermann, N. O. & Suermann, T., 2012, Europa und die Welt. den Boer, P., Duchhardt, H., Kreis, G. & Schmale, W. (eds.). München: Oldenbourg, p. 265-270 6 p. (Europäische Erinnerungsorte; vol. 3).

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

  16. Published

    Poststrukturalismus und Postkolonialismus: Jaques Derridas "Grammatologie" sowie Gilles Deleuzes und Félix Guattaris "Tausend Plateaus"

    Angermüller, J. & Leonie, B., 2012, Schlüsselwerke der Postcolonial Studies. Reuter, J. & Karentzos, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer, p. 27 - 37 12 p.

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

  17. Published
  18. 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

  19. 2011
  20. Published

    Scenarios for the Implementation of EU Waste Legislation at National Level and their Consequences for Emissions from Municipal Waste Incineration

    Saner, D., Blumer, Y. B., Lang, D. & Koehler, A., 12.2011, In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 57, p. 67-77 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Erratum to "Generic functions of railway stations-A conceptual basis for the development of common system understanding and assessment criteria" [Transp. Policy 18 (2010) 446-455]

    Zemp, S., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. J. & Scholz, R. W., 08.2011, In: Transport Policy. 18, 4, p. 648-648 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  22. Published

    Classifying railway stations for strategic transport and land use planning: Context matters!

    Zemp, S., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. & Scholz, R. W., 07.2011, In: Journal of Transport Geography. 19, 4, p. 670-679 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Institutionen für eine transformative Forschung: Zur Gründung der NaWis-Runde

    Schneidewind, U., Ernst, A. & Lang, D., 06.2011, In: GAIA. 20, 2, p. 133-135 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review