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. 2012
  2. Published

    Climate Accounting and Sustainability Management

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Csutora, M. (Editor), 11.2012, London: Elsevier B.V. 112 p. (Journal of Cleaner Production; no. 36)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  3. Published

    Comparison of nutrient removal capacity and biomass settleability of four high-potential microalgal species.

    Su, Y., Mennerich, A. & Urban, B., 11.2012, In: Bioresource Technology. 124, p. 157-162 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Photodegradation, Photocatalytic and Aerobic Biodegradation of Sulfisomidine and Identification of Transformation Products By LC–UV-MS/MS

    Sleman, F., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Schubert, R. & Kümmerer, K., 11.2012, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 40, 11, p. 1244-1249 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Predator assemblage structure and temporal variability of species richness and abundance in forests of high tree diversity

    Schuldt, A., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W. & Aßmann, T., 11.2012, In: Biotropica. 44, 6, p. 793-800 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Entwicklung eines Regelungskonzepts für ein Ressourcenschutzrecht des Bundes: Forschungsbericht 3709181521

    Sanden, J., Schomerus, T. & Schulze, F., 24.10.2012, Erich Schmidt Verlag. 661 p. (Berichte des Umweltbundesamtes; vol. 2012,1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  8. Published

    Assessing ecosystem function of restoration plantings in south-eastern Australia

    Munro, N. T., Wood, J., Lindenmayer, D. B. & Fischer, J., 15.10.2012, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 282, p. 36-45 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    A comprehensive method for determination of fatty acids in the initial oral biofilm (pellicle)

    Reich, M., Hannig, C., Al-Ahmad, A., Bolek, R. & Kuemmerer, K., 01.10.2012, In: Journal of Lipid Research. 53, 10, p. 2226-2230 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Occurrence and fate of the antidiabetic drug metformin and its metabolite guanylurea in the environment and during drinking water treatment

    Scheurer, M., Michel, A., Brauch, H.-J., Ruck, W. & Sacher, F., 01.10.2012, In: Water Research. 46, 15, p. 4790-4802 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    A new method for collecting agile tiger beetles by live pitfall trapping

    Taboada Palomares, A., Pérez-Aguirre, C. & Aßmann, T., 10.2012, In: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 145, 1, p. 82-87 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review