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. 2018
  2. Published

    The glocal curriculum: A model for transnational collaboration in higher education for sustainable development

    Caniglia, G., John, B., Bellina, L., Lang, D. J., Wiek, A., Cohmer, S. & Laubichler, M. D., 10.01.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 171, p. 368 - 376 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. 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

  4. Published

    ‚Places of Remembrance’: spaces for historical and political literacy: A lesson report

    Offen, S., 09.01.2018, In: Journal of Social Science Education. 16, 4, p. 110-121 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    archiDART v3.0: A new data analysis pipeline allowing the topological analysis of plant root systems

    Delory, B., Li, M., Topp, C. & Lobet, G., 08.01.2018, In: Faculty of 1000 Research. 7, 22, 14 p., 22.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Inquiry-based learning and secondary chemistry education – a contradiction?

    Hofer, E., Abels, S. & Lembens, A., 05.01.2018, In: RISTAL. 1/2018, p. 51-65 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Classification of playing position in elite junior Australian football using technical skill indicators

    Woods, C. T., Veale, J., Fransen, J., Robertson, S. & Collier, N., 02.01.2018, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 36, 1, p. 97 - 103 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Linking Environmental Management Accounting: A Reflection on (Missing) Links to Sustainability and Planetary Boundaries

    Schaltegger, S., 02.01.2018, In: Social and Environmental Accountability Journal. 38, 1, p. 19-29 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published
  10. Published

    Advancing science on the multiple connections between biodiversity, ecosystems and people

    van Oudenhoven, A. P. E., Martín-López, B., Schröter, M. & de Groot, R., 01.01.2018, In: International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management. 14, 1, p. 127-131 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  11. Published

    A social-ecological typology of rangelands based on rainfall variability and farming type

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. J., Feller, R., Hanspach, J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 148, p. 65 - 73 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review