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
Exploring the planetary boundary for chemical pollution
Diamond, M. L., de Wit, C. A., Molander, S., Scheringer, M., Backhaus, T., Lohmann, R., Arvidsson, R., Bergman, Å., Hauschild, M., Holoubek, I., Persson, L., Suzuki, N., Vighi, M. & Zetzsch, C., 01.05.2015, In: Environmental international. 78, p. 8 - 15 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Exploring the interdependence of climate, finance, energy, and geopolitics: A conceptual framework for systemic risks amidst multiple crises
Hoffart, F. M., D'Orazio, P., Holz, F. & Kemfert, C., 01.05.2024, In: Applied Energy. 361, 11 p., 122885.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring the influence of testimonial source on attitudes towards e-mental health interventions among university students: Four-group randomized controlled trial
Apolinário-Hagen, J., Harrer, M., Dederichs, M., Fritsche, L., Wopperer, J., Wals, F., Loerbroks, A., Lehr, D., Salewski, C., Angerer, P. & Ebert, D. D., 26.05.2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 5, 24 p., e0252012.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring the implications of the value concept for performance assessment of sustainable business models
Norris, S., 2022, 7th International Conference on New Business Models: Sustainable Business Model Challenges: Economic Recovery and Digital Transformation; Conference Proceedings. Laura, M., Minà, A. & Alaimo Di Loro, . (eds.). Rom: LUMSA University, p. 743-755 13 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring the Corporate Reality of Sustainability Accounting Practice
Bennett, M., Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2012, Sustainable Economy: Abstracts: 15th EMAN Conference on Environmental and Sustainability Management Accounting in collaboration with the CSEAR International Congress on Social and Environmental Accounting Research : Environmental Management Accounting for a Sustainable Economy, Helsinki, 24-26 September 2012. Helsinki: Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences , 3 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Published abstract in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring the Corporate Practice of Sustainability Accounting
Bennett, M., Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2011, Accounting for Climate Change: What and How to Measure. Csutora, M. & Kerekes, S. (eds.). Budapest: Corvinus University of Budapest, p. 94-100 7 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring the Capacity of Water Framework Directive Indices to Assess Ecosystem Services in Fluvial and Riparian Systems: Towards a Second Implementation Phase
Vidal-Abarca, M. R., Santos-Martín, F., Martín-López, B., Sánchez-Montoya, M. M. & Suárez Alonso, M. L., 01.06.2016, In: Environmental Management. 57, 6, p. 1139-1152 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring priority effects in a central European grassland field experiment in order to inform restoration
Weidlich, E. W. A., 2017, Linking Science and Practise for a Better World: Book of Abstracts; VII World Conference on Ecological Restoration. Durigan, G. (ed.). Sociedad Ibero Americana y der Caribe de Restauracion Ecologica, p. 215 1 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Published abstract in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring priority and year effects on plant diversity, productivity and vertical root distribution: first insights from a grassland field experiment
Alonso-Crespo, I. M., Temperton, V., Fichtner, A., Niemeyer, T., Schloter, M. & Delory, B., 03.2025, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 36, 2, 41 p., e70026.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Exploring plant community assembly for its potential for grassland restoration: the role of traits and functional diversity in assembling grasslands
Weidlich, E. W. A., Conradi, T., Kollmann, J. & Temperton, V. M., 2014, Integrating ecological knowledge into nature conservation and ecosystem management: GfÖ 2014, 44th Annual Meeting; Book of Abstracts. Mantilla-Contreras, J. & Pätsch, R. (eds.). Gesellschaft für Ökologie, p. 117 1 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; vol. 44).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Published abstract in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review