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

    Understanding needs embodiment: A theory-guided reanalysis of the role of metaphors and analogies in understanding science

    Niebert, K., Marsch, S. & Treagust, D. F., 01.09.2012, In: Science Education. 96, 5, p. 849-877 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Photodegradation of thalidomide: Identification of transformation products by LC-UV-FL-MS/MS, assessment of biodegradability, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity.

    Mahmoud, W. M. M., Toolaram, A. P., Schneider, M. & Kümmerer, K., 2012, 4th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress: Abstract book. Association of Czech Chemical Societies, Vol. 106. p. 650 1 p. (Chemické listy; vol. 106, no. S4).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Der Beitrag der UN-Dekade 2005-20014 zur Verbreitung und Verankerung der Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Rode, H. & Michelsen, G., 2012, Bonn: Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission, 78 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  4. Published

    La Fonction de Gestionnaire chez BP: Prise de Décision et responsabilités en haute mer

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Zvezdov, D., 2013, In: Revue Internationale De Cas En Gestion. 11, 2, 34 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  5. Published

    Opportunities and Drawbacks of Mobile Flood Protection Systems

    Koppe, B. & Brinkmann, B., 02.02.2011, In: Coastal Engineering Proceedings. 1, 32, 14 p., 24.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Shrub management is the principal driver of differing population sizes between native and invasive populations of Rosa rubiginosa L

    Zimmermann, H., von Wehrden, H., Renison, D., Wesche, K., Welk, E., Damascos, M. A. & Hensen, I., 10.2012, In: Biological Invasions. 14, 10, p. 2141-2157 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The informed society: Final report on the cooperation programme INTERREG-IIIB project “SAFECOAST”

    Lüdecke, G. & Knolle, M., 03.2008, 41 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  9. Published

    Sharing Economy - Auf dem Weg in eine neue Konsumkultur?

    Heinrichs, H. & Grunenberg, H., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 29 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  10. Published

    Bats in a Farming Landscape Benefit from Linear Remnants and Unimproved Pastures

    Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Fischer, J., Law, B., Hanspach, J. & Martin, T. G., 14.11.2012, In: PLoS ONE. 7, 11, 13 p., e48201.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review