School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- Published
In Search of the Dominant Rationale in Sustainability Management: Legitimacy- or Profit-Seeking?
Schaltegger, S. & Hörisch, J., 01.10.2017, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 145, 2, p. 259-276 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
In search of maturity models in agritechs
Mendes, J. A. J., Careta, C. B., Zuin, V. G. & Gerolamo, M. C., 01.10.2021, In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 839, 2, 10 p., 022083.Research output: Journal contributions › Conference article in journal › Research › peer-review
- Published
INSA Indicator System Sustainable Agriculture
Lutzenberger, A., Buettner, C., Eichhoff, N., Enger, J., Erbs, M., Fichte, K., Gruen, J., Hillebrecht, C., Ingenillem, J., Klein, L., Meyer, N., Pitz, W., Pützstück, M., Schäffler, A. & Schwellinger, S., 2013, 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition: EUBCE 2013 Online Conference Proceedings. ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, p. 2001-2006 6 p. (European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE)).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
INSA – Indicator System Sustainable Agriculture
Lutzenberger, A., Horn, A., Kahmann, B., Kilburg, M., Lichter, F., Mechsner, C., Priessner, C., Reinert, F., Röllig, M., Ruck, W., Stropahl, S. & Wilkens, V., 2012, Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. Milan: ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, p. 600-603 4 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
Inquiry-based learning in sustainability science
Vilsmaier, U. & Meyer, E. M., 12.04.2019, Inquiry-Based Learning – Undergraduate Research: The German Multidisciplinary Experience. Mieg, H. A. (ed.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 331-339 9 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Inquiry-based learning as an approach to realize inclusive science education
Hofer, E. & Abels, S., 29.05.2025, Innovative Teaching and Classroom Processes: Research Perspectives from Germany and China. Ehmke, T. & Chi-Kin Lee, J. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 74-87 14 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Innovative Wärmenetze, nachhaltige Wasserinfrastruktur und gemeinschaftliche Wohnprojekte: Politikempfehlungen
Laws, N. & Heinrichs, H., 01.04.2018, Karlsruhe: Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung ISI, 54 p. (TransNIK Werkstattbericht; no. 8).Research output: Working paper › Project reports › Research
- Published
Innovative teaching for sustainable development - approaches and trends
Mader, C. & Mader, M., 2012, Higher Education in the World 4: Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability: from Understanding to Action. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 228-229 2 p. (GUNI Series on the social commitment of universities; vol. 4).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Innovative Supplier Management Processes for Sustainability: Explorative Findings from German Stock Corporations
Harms, D., Hansen, E. G. & Schaltegger, S., 2011, EURAM 2011 Management Culture in the 21st Century: European Academy of Management (EURAM): European Academy of Management (EURAM). Alas, R. & Bessant, J. (eds.). Tallinn, Estonia: Estonian Business School, 37 p. (EURAM Conference).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review