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

    The reproductive potential and importance of key management aspects for successful Calluna vulgaris rejuvenation on abandoned Continental heaths

    Henning, K., von Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Fichtner, A. & Tischew, S., 01.04.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 7, p. 2091-2100 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    A Sustainability Agenda for Tropical Marine Science

    Partelow, S., Schlüter, A., von Wehrden, H., Jänig, M. & Senff, P., 01.01.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 1, 15 p., e12351.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Lohnt sich Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement? Mindsets, "business cases" und Strategie

    Schaltegger, S., 2017, CSR und Strategisches Management: Wie man mit Nachhaltigkeit langfristig im Wettbewerb gewinnt. Wunder, T. (ed.). Heidelberg: Gabler Verlag, p. 81-92 12 p. (Management-Reihe Corporate Social Responsibility).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Does problem complexity matter for environmental policy delivery? How public authorities address problems of water governance

    Kirschke, S., Newig, J., Völker, J. & Borchardt, D., 01.07.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 196, p. 1-7 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Assembly Theory for Restoring Ecosystem Structure and Functioning: Timing is Everything?

    Temperton, V. M., Baasch, A., Von Gillhaussen, P. & Kirmer, A., 11.2016, Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Palmer, M. A., Zedler, J. B. & Falk, D. A. (eds.). 2 ed. Washington: Island Press, p. 245-270 26 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  7. Published

    The Benefit of Web- and Computer-Based Interventions for Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    Heber, E., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Nobis, S. & Riper, H., 17.02.2017, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 19, 2, 17 p., e32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Collaboration or fragmentation? Biodiversity management through the common agricultural policy

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., Schaal, T., Velten, S., Dänhardt, J., Fischer, J., Abson, D. & Newig, J., 01.05.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 64, p. 1-12 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Grünland spielt eine wichtige Rolle für die Vielfalt und für das Klima

    Temperton, V. M., 2016, Warnsignal Klima: Die Biodiversität unter Berücksichtigung von Habitatveränderungen, Umweltverschmutzung und Globalisierung. Lozan, J. L., Müller, R., Brekle, S.-W. & Rachor, E. (eds.). Hamburg: Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen Verlag, p. 170-176 7 p. 3.12. (GEO ).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Key features for more successful place-based sustainability research on social-ecological systems: a Programme on Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) perspective

    Balvanera, P., Daw, T. M., Gardner, T. A., Martín-López, B., Norström, A. V., Ifejika Speranza, C., Spierenburg, M., Bennett, E. M., Farfan, M., Hamann, M., Kittinger, J. N., Luthe, T., Maass, M., Peterson, G. D. & Perez-Verdin, G., 01.01.2017, In: Ecology and Society. 22, 1, 45 p., 14.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review