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. Published

    Growth-trait relationships in subtropical forest are stronger at higher diversity

    Bongers, F. J., Schmid, B., Sun, Z., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Li, Y., Li, S., Staab, M., Ma, K. & Liu, X., 01.01.2020, In: Journal of Ecology. 108, 1, p. 256-266 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Gründen hacken: Mit kooperativer Gegenkultur und Diversität nachhaltigen Impact ermöglichen

    Krome, C. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 89-105 17 p.

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

  3. Published

    Grundkonzeption eines produktbezogenen Top-Runner Modells auf der EU-Ebene: Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit : Forschungskennzahl 363 01 233 UBA-FB 001502

    Jepsen, D., Reintjes, N., Rubik, F., Stecker, R., Engel, F., Eisenhauer, P., Schomerus, T. & Spengler, L., 2011, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 155 p. (Texte; vol. 2011, no. 36).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Grundlagen der nachhaltigen Gestaltung von Organisationen

    Möller, A. & Rolf, A., 2003, In: Umweltwirtschaftsforum. 11, 2, p. 4-9 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Grundlagen der Umweltchemie

    Ruck, W., 01.01.2002, Naturwissenschaften. Härdtle, W. (ed.). Berlin [u.a.]: Springer Verlag, p. 79-111 33 p. (Studium der Umweltwissenschaften).

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

  7. Published

    Grundlagen der Umweltpolitik

    Gschwendtner, H., 01.01.2000, Wirtschaftswissenschaften. Schaltegger, S. (ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, p. 71-110 40 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  8. Published

    Grundlagen der Weiterentwicklung von rechtlichen Instrumenten zur Ressourcenschonung: Forschungsbericht 363 01 130, UBA-FB 001051

    Roßnagel, A. & Sanden, J., 2008, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, 175 p. (Berichte; no. 2/2007).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  9. Published

    Grundlagen des Umweltmanagements

    Schaltegger, S. & Petersen, H., 2000, Hagen: FernUniversität in Hagen.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsEducation

  10. Published

    Grundlagen organisationalen Wandels von Bildungseinrichtungen

    Godemann, J., 2004, Nachhaltigkeit in Bildungsinstitutionen in Schleswig-Holstein: Entwicklung eines Bildungskonzeptes für ausgewählte Zielgruppen. Stoltenberg, U., Adomßent, M. & Rieckmann, M. (eds.). Neumünster: Akademie für Natur und Umwelt des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, p. 80 1 p. (Akademie aktuell / Berichte, Texte, Materialien; no. 01/2004).

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