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. 2020
  2. Published

    Environmental rebound effect of energy efficiency improvements in Colombian households

    Vélez-Henao, J. A., García-Mazo, C. M., Freire-González, J. & Vivanco, D. F., 01.10.2020, In: Energy Policy. 145, 10 p., 111697.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Green and sustainable chemistry in Latin America: Which type of research is going on? And for what?

    Zuin, V. G., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K. & Segatto, M. L., 01.10.2020, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 25, 100379.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    How does collaborative governance evolve? Insights from a medium-n case comparison

    Ulibarri, N., Emerson, K., Imperial, M. T., Jager, N. W., Newig, J. & Weber, E., 01.10.2020, In: Policy and Society. 39, 4, p. 617-637 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Impacts of alternative land-use policies on water ecosystem services in the Río Grande de Comitán-Lagos de Montebello watershed, Mexico

    Ávila-García, D., Morató, J., Pérez-Maussán, A. I., Santillán-Carvantes, P., Alvarado, J. & Comín, F. A., 01.10.2020, In: Ecosystem Services. 45, 14 p., 101179.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Participation in River Basin Planning Under the Water Framework Directive – Has it Benefitted Good Water Status?

    Rimmert, M., Baudoin, L., Cotta, B., Kochskämper, E. & Newig, J., 01.10.2020, In: Water Alternatives. 13, 3, p. 484-512 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Role of scavengers in providing non-material contributions to people

    Aguilera-Alcalá, N., Morales-Reyes, Z., Martín-López, B., Moleón, M. & Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., 01.10.2020, In: Ecological Indicators. 117, 11 p., 106643.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Towards a more sustainable metal use – Lessons learned from national strategy documents

    Weiser, A., Bickel, M., Kümmerer, K. & Lang, D. J., 01.10.2020, In: Resources Policy. 68, 12 p., 101770.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Opening the black box: How social interaction contributes to entrepreneurial intentions among deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals

    Jasniak, M., Baierl, R. & Halberstadt, J., 10.2020, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business. 41, 1, p. 74-95 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published
  11. Published

    Development and application of green and sustainable analytical methods for flavonoid extraction from Passiflora waste

    Da Silva Francischini, D., Lopes, A. P., Segatto, M. L., Stahl, A. M. & Zuin, V. G., 18.09.2020, In: BMC Chemistry. 14, 1, 11 p., 56.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review