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

    Portfolio optimization in zonal energy markets: Evidence from Italy

    Fianu, E. S., 30.06.2015, In: International Journal of Energy and Statistics. 3, 2, 17 p., 1550006.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Ports

    Brinkmann, B. (Editor), 2008, In: Die Küste. 74, p. 347-416 70 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Port State Control of Civilian Search and Rescue Vessels before the European Court of Justice: The Sea Watch Cases

    Schatz, V. & Wissmann, S., 2024, In: International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. 39, 1, p. 179-190 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    POR UMA ESCOLA PLURAL, INTEGRADA E COM PARTIDOS

    Gomes, C. & Zuin, V., 2020, In: Revista da FAEEBA - Educação e Contemporaneidade. 29, 58, p. 78-90 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Position des Schutzguts Boden in Recht und Praxis der naturschutzrechtlichen Instrumente

    Giese, E., Lichey, K. & Sanden, J., 18.11.2009, In: Bodenschutz. 4/2009, p. 108-115 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Positive intercropping effects on biomass production are species-specific and involve rhizosphere enzyme activities: Evidence from a field study

    Kumar, A., Blagodaskaya, E., Dippold, M. A. & Temperton, V., 01.12.2022, In: Soil Ecology Letters. 4, 4, p. 444-453 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Possible underestimations of risks for the environment due to unregulated emissions of biocides from households to wastewater

    Wieck, S., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.09.2016, In: Environmental international. 94, p. 695-705 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Post-dispersal seed predation of three grassland species in a plant diversity experiment

    Pufal, G. & Klein, A.-M., 12.2013, In: The Journal of Ecology. 6, 6, p. 468-479 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Post Hoc Assessment of Stand Structure Across European Wood-Pastures: Implications for Land Use Policy

    Roellig, M., Costa, A., Garbarino, M., Hanspach, J., Hartel, T., Jakobsson, S., Lindborg, R., Mayr, S., Plieninger, T., Sammul, M., Varga, A. & Fischer, J., 09.2018, In: Rangeland Ecology and Management. 71, 5, p. 526-535 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Postkoloniale Perspektiven auf 'weltwärts': Ein Freiwilligendienst in weltbürgerlicher Absicht

    Kontzi, K., 01.01.2015, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 256 p. ( Entwicklungstheorie und Entwicklungspolitik; vol. 15)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook