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. 2015
  2. Published

    How much sustainability substance is in urban visions? An analysis of visioning projects in urban planning

    John, B., Keeler, L. W., Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 01.11.2015, In: Cities. 48, p. 86 - 98 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Physico-chemical characteristics affect the spatial distribution of pesticide and transformation product loss to an agricultural brook

    Gassmann, M., Olsson, O., Stamm, C., Weiler, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.11.2015, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 532, p. 733-743 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Plant diversity and composition compensate for negative effects of urbanization on foraging bumble bees

    Hülsmann, M., von Wehrden, H., Klein, A. M. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.11.2015, In: Apidologie. 46, 6, p. 760-770 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Through the eye of a butterfly: Assessing biodiversity impacts of cashew expansion in West Africa

    Vasconcelos, S., Rodrigues, P., Palma, L., Mendes, L. F., Palminha, A., Catarino, L. & Beja, P., 01.11.2015, In: Biological Conservation. 191, p. 779-786 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Palaeodose underestimation of heated quartz in red-TL dating of volcanic contexts

    Richter, D., Klinger, P. & Zöller, L., 07.11.2015, In: Geochronometria. 42, 1, p. 182-188 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Identification of phototransformation products of the antiepileptic drug gabapentin: Biodegradability and initial assessment of toxicity

    Herrmann, M., Menz, J., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 15.11.2015, In: Water Research. 85, p. 11-21 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Photolytic transformation products and biological stability of the hydrological tracer Uranine

    Gutowski, L., Olsson, O., Lange, J. & Kümmerer, K., 15.11.2015, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 533, p. 446-453 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Pollution exposure on marine protected areas: A global assessment

    Partelow, S., von Wehrden, H. & Horn, O., 15.11.2015, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 100, 1, p. 352-358 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Throughfall kinetic energy in young subtropical forests: Investigation on tree species richness effects and spatial variability

    Goebes, P., Seitz, S., Kühn, P., Li, Y., Niklaus, P. A., Oheimb, G. V. & Scholten, T., 15.11.2015, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 213, p. 148-159 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Envisioning the Future of Water Governance: A Survey of Central Arizona Water Decision Makers

    White, D. D., Withycombe Keeler, L., Wiek, A. & Larson, K. L., 17.11.2015, In: Environmental Practice. 17, 1, p. 25-35 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review