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

    Utilization of digested sewage sludge in lactic acid fermentation

    Pleissner, D., Krieg, C. & Peinemann, J. C., 03.2021, In: Detritus - Multidisciplinary Journal for Waste Resource & Residues. 14, p. 48-53 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Utilization of food waste in continuous flow cultures of the heterotrophic microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa for saturated and unsaturated fatty acids production

    Pleissner, D., Lau, K. Y. & Ki Lin, C. S., 20.01.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 142, 4, p. 1417-1424 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Utilization of organic residues using heterotrophic microalgae and insects

    Pleißner, D. & Rumpold, B. A., 01.02.2018, In: Waste Management. 72, p. 227-239 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Utilization of phenolic compounds by microalgae

    Lindner, A. V. & Pleißner, D., 01.09.2019, In: Algal Research. 42, 9 p., 101602.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Utilization of protein-rich residues in biotechnological processes

    Pleissner, D. & Venus, J., 01.03.2016, In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 100, 5, p. 2133-2140 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Utilizing international networks for accelerating research and learning in transformational sustainability science

    Keeler, L. W., Wiek, A., Lang, D. J., Yokohari, M., van Breda, J., Olsson, L., Ness, B., Morato, J., Segalas, J., Martens, P., Bojorquez-Tapia, L. A. & Evans, J., 01.09.2016, In: Sustainability Science. 11, 5, p. 749-762 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    "Utopisches Gewissen" lässt sich "mit Schlecht-Vorhandenem nicht abspeisen": eine Einführung

    Gottschlich, D., Rolf, U., Wollek, E. & Werning, R., 2008, Reale Utopien: Perspektiven für eine friedliche und gerechte Welt. Avnery, U., Gottschlich, D., Rolf, U., Werning, R. & Wollek, E. (eds.). Köln: PapyRossa Verlag, p. 8-19 12 p.

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

  8. Published

    UV-photodegradation of desipramine: Impact of concentration, pH and temperature on formation of products including their biodegradability and toxicity

    Khaleel, N. D. H., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.10.2016, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 566-567, p. 826-840 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Validierung des Adaptiven Tests des Emotionswissens für drei- bis neunjährige Kinder (ATEM 3 - 9)

    Voltmer, K., 01.07.2020, In: Diagnostica. 66, 3, p. 158-171 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Valorization of faba bean (Vicia faba) by-products

    Krenz, L. M. M., Grebenteuch, S., Zocher, K., Rohn, S. & Pleissner, D., 11.2024, In: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 14, 21, p. 26663-26680 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch