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. Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Transfer
  2. Published

    Kommentar zum Fachlehrplan Chemie (Mittelschule/AHS Unterstufe)

    Hofer, E., Lembens, A. & Müller, A., 2023, Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (Österreich).

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  3. Published

    Wie Human Ressource Management und gesellschaftliches Engagement Hand in Hand gehen: Corporate Volunteering zur Mitarbeiterbindung und -entwicklung

    Pinter, A., 29.01.2008, ALTOP Verlags- und Vertriebsgesellschaft.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  4. Book › Research
  5. Published

    Achsen adoleszenter Zugehörigkeitsarbeit: Geschlecht und sexuelle Orientierung im Blick politischer Bildung

    Offen, S., 2013, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 238 p. (Adoleszenzforschung. Zur Theorie und Empirie der Jugend aus transdisziplinärer Perspektive; no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  6. Published

    A Inserção da Dimensão Ambiental na Formação de Professores de Química

    Zuin, V. G., 01.01.2011, Atomo. 182 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  7. Published

    Biodiversität, Ökosystemfunktionen und Naturschutz

    Härdtle, W., 19.06.2024, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 911 p. (Life Science and Basic Disciplines)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  8. Published

    Burnout und chronischer beruflicher Stress: Ein Ratgeber für Betroffene und Angehörige

    Hillert, A., Koch, S. & Lehr, D., 2018, 1 ed. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag. 89 p. (Ratgeber zur Reihe Fortschritte der Psychotherapie; vol. 39)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  9. Published

    Corporate Carbon and Climate Accounting

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), Zvezdov, D. (Editor), Álvarez-Etxeberria, I. (Editor), Csutora, M. (Editor) & Günther, E. (Editor), 2015, Cham: Springer Verlag. 257 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  10. Published

    Cybermobbing, Hatespeech, Sexting und Cybergrooming. Online-Interaktionsrisiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen aus psychologischer Sicht

    Paschel, F., Schultz, M., Salisch, M. & Pfetsch, J., 16.01.2025, Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 212 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  11. Published
  12. Published

    Die Bedeutung der Privilegierung nach § 35 BauGB für die Finanzierung von Biogasanlagen

    Maly, C., 14.02.2013, 1 ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 107 p. (Lüneburger Schriften zum Wirtschaftsrecht; no. 26)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  13. Published

    Die "Energiewende" im Bundestag: ein politisches Transformationsprojekt? Eine Diskursanalyse aus feministischer und sozial-ökologischer Perspektive

    Amri-Henkel, A., 01.04.2021, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. 364 p. (Edition Politik; vol. 106)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  14. Published

    Environmental Dimension in Chemistry Teacher Education

    Zuin, V. G., 01.01.2012, Campinas: Atomo. 174 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  15. Published

    Environmental Sociology: European perspectives and interdisciplinary challenges

    Gross, M. (Editor) & Heinrichs, H. (Editor), 2010, Dordrecht u.a.: Springer Verlag. 361 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  16. Published

    Envisioning the future for southwestern Ethiopia / Egeree kibba lixa Itoophiyaa agarsiisuu: A book by The Sustainable Landscapes Group with contributions by local experts

    Fischer, J., Senbeta, F., Hanspach, J., Dorresteijn, I., Jiren, T. S. & Schultner, J., 09.01.2018, Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd. 86 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  17. Published

    Future-Proofing Fuel Cells: Critical Raw Material Governance in Sustainable Energy

    David, M., Lyth, S. M., Lindner, R. & Harrington, G. F., 12.08.2021, 1 ed. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. 135 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  18. Published

    Gesellschaftliche Naturverhältnisse zwischen Krise und Vision: eine Fallstudie im Biosphärenreservat Mittelelbe

    Mölders, T., 2010, München: Oekom Verlag. 315 p. (Hochschulschriften zur Nachhaltigkeit; vol. 49)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  19. Published

    Großprojektmanagement

    Giese, N., 2017, Berlin: Springer Gabler. 80 p. (Leuphana Case Studies)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  20. Published

    Handbuch Biodiversitätsmanagement: ein Leitfaden für die betriebliche Praxis

    Schaltegger, S. & Beständig, U., 2010, Stand Juni 2010 ed. Berlin: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. 64 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  21. Published

    Harmonising biodiversity conservation and food security in southwestern Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Rodrigues, P., Shumi, G., Hylander, K., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Jiren, T. S., Mausbach, M., Abson, D., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 02.01.2020, 1 ed. Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd. 166 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  22. Published
  23. Published

    "Ich hoffe, du weißt das zu schätzen?!": Eine Erhebung der Schätzkompetenz in der Sekundarstufe I

    Stinken, L., 2017, Berlin: Logos Verlag Berlin. 307 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  24. Published

    Illusio Fachkräftemangel: Der Zwischenraum von Bildung und Wirtschaft in Deutschland und Nordkalifornien

    Herberg, J., 03.2018, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 612 p. (Politische Soziologie)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  25. Published

    Lebensweltgestaltung junger Frauen mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund in der dritten Generation : "Mama, erzähl mir neue Sachen, deine sind schon veraltet"

    Bülbül-Emanet, S., 18.12.2014, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 199 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  26. Published

    Legal Regimes for Environmental Protection: Governance for Climate Change and Ocean Resources

    Koch, H.-J. (Editor), König, D., Sanden, J. (Editor) & Verheyen, R. (Editor), 07.08.2015, 1 ed. Leiden; Boston: Brill Verlag. 351 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  27. Published

    Los activos intangibles de la agricultura familiar en los sistemas agroalimentarios: Marco conceptual y consideraciones metodológicas

    Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Rodríguez Fazzone, M., Dueñas, J. D., Hernández, F. & Hernández, C., 2021, Bogotá: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Kolumbien. 64 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  28. Published

    Mathematical Chemistry and Chemoinformatics: Structure Generation, Elucidation and Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships

    Kerber, A., Laue, R., Meringer, M., Rücker, C. & Schymanski, E., 01.01.2014, 1 ed. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. 521 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  29. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit in der Unternehmenskommunikation: Bedeutung, Charakteristika und Herausforderungen

    Brugger, F., 2010, Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag. 276 p. (Gabler Research)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  30. Published

    Orte zum Wohlfühlen: Ein Reiseführer zur kreativen Gestaltung zukunftsfähiger Städte und Gemeinden

    Heinrichs, H., Redenius, P. & Hoernemann, D., 05.12.2024, München: Oekom Verlag. 94 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  31. Published

    Planung naturbasierter Lösungen in Flusslandschaften: Ein Handbuch für die Praxis

    Schröter, B., Brillinger, M., Gottwald, S., Guerrero, P., Henze, J., Ott, E., Schmidt, S. & Albert, C., 01.07.2021, 1 ed. München: Oekom Verlag. 117 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  32. 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

  33. Published

    Relict species: Phylogeography and conservation biology

    Habel, J. C. & Aßmann, T. (Editor), 2010, Heidelberg [u.a.]: Springer Verlag. 449 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  34. Published

    Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-Up Approaches

    Peeters, M. (Editor) & Schomerus, T. (Editor), 26.12.2014, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. 336 p. (New horizons in environmental and energy law)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  35. Published

    Schutzwürdigkeit und Schutzperspektive der Stromtal-Wiesen an der unteren Mittelelbe: Ein vegetationskundlicher Beitrag zur Leitbildentwicklung

    Redecker, B., 2001, Nümbrecht-Elsenroth: Galunder verlag. 164 p. (Archiv naturwissenschaftlicher Dissertationen; vol. 13)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  36. Published

    Sozio-Controlling im Unternehmen: das Management erfolgsrelevanter sozial-gesellschaftlicher Themen in der Praxis

    Dubielzig, F., 12.03.2009, 1. Aufl. ed. Wiesbaden: Dr. Gabler Verlag. 363 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  37. Published

    Sufficiency as policy: necessity, possibilities and limitations

    Spengler, L., 01.01.2018, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 327 p. (Umweltsoziologie; vol. 5)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  38. Published

    Sustainability Accounting and Reporting

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), Bennett, M. (Editor) & Burritt, R. (Editor), 01.01.2006, Dordrecht: Springer Verlag. 715 p. (Eco-efficiency in industry and science; vol. 21)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  39. Published

    Tertiäre Regulierung und Nachhaltigkeit: Eine interdisziplinäre Analyse der EU-Netzkodizes für Elektrizität

    Brüning-Pfeiffer, A., 01.01.2022, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 230 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  40. Published

    The Energy Security of Lithuania

    Laws, N., 2012, Saarbrücken: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. 80 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  41. Published

    The Upcycle: Beyond sustainability Designing for abundance

    Braungart, M. & McDonough, W., 13.04.2013, New York : North Point Press. 227 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  42. Published

    Trade Wars: Past and Present

    Oermann, N. O. & Wolff, H.-J., 25.08.2022, 1 ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 316 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  43. Published

    Umweltbildung als Innovation: Bilanzierungen und Empfehlungen zu Modellversuchen und Forschungsvorhaben

    Haan, G. D., Jungk, D., Kutt, K., Michelsen, G., Nitschke, C., Schnurpel, U. & Seybold, H., 1997, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 232 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  44. Published

    Wirtschaftswissenschaften

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2000, Berlin: Springer Verlag. 252 p. (Studium der Umweltwissenschaften)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  45. Published

    Worldwide Trends in Green Chemistry Education

    Zuin, V. (Editor) & Mammino, L. (Editor), 2015, 1st ed. ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. 347 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  46. Published

    Zukunft versiegelt? kommunale Verkehrspolitik und Klimaschutz

    Grischkat, S., 2004, Bonn. 43 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  47. Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
  48. Published

    12 Fragen an Gerd Michelsen

    Michelsen, G., 16.12.2021, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 30, 4, p. 220-221 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  49. Published

    12 Fragen an Sabine Hofmeister

    Hofmeister, S., 25.03.2021, In: GAIA. 30, 1, p. 4-5 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  50. Published

    Academia's obsession with quantity

    Fischer, J., Ritchie, E. G. & Hanspach, J., 01.09.2012, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27, 9, p. 473-474 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  51. Published

    A change of values is in the air

    Fischer, J., 01.04.2021, In: Nature Sustainability. 4, 4, p. 292-293 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  52. Published

    Agriculture: reform the global food system

    Fischer, J., Bennett, E. & Pe’er, G., 19.10.2023, In: Nature. 622, 7983, p. 461 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  53. Published

    An academia beyond quantity: a reply to Loyola et al. and Halme et al.

    Fischer, J., Hanspach, J. & Ritchie, E. G., 01.11.2012, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27, 11, p. 587-588 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch