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. Chapter › Research › Peer-reviewed
  2. Published

    CITY:mobil : A Model for Integration in Sustainability Research

    Bergmann, M. & Jahn, T., 2008, Handbook of Transdisciplinary Research. Hadorn, G. H., Hoffmann-Riem, H., Biber-Klemm, S., Großenbacher-Mansuy, W., Joye, D., Pohl, C., Wiesmann, U. & Zemp, E. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Verlag, p. 89-102 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Climate change and society - communicating adaptation

    Heinrichs, H., 2010, Environmental Sociology : European Perspectives and Interdisciplinary Challenges. Gross, M. & Heinrichs, H. (eds.). Dordrecht u.a.: Springer Verlag, p. 323-344 22 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    Climate Change May Trigger Broad Shifts in North America's Pacific Coastal Rainforests

    DellaSala, D. A., Brandt, P., Koopman, M., Leonard, J., Meisch, C., Herzog, P., Alaback, P., Goldstein, M. I., Jovan, S., MacKinnon, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene: Volume 2: Climate Change. Dellasala, D. A. & Goldstein, M. I. (eds.). Oxford: Elsevier B.V., Vol. 1-5. p. 233-244 12 p. (Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene; vol. 2).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  5. Published

    Collective intentionality in entrepreneurship-as-practice

    Farny, S. & Kibler, E., 01.01.2022, Research Handbook on Entrepreneurship as Practice. Thompson, N. A., Byrne, O., Jenkins, A. & Teague, B. T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 127-140 14 p. (Handbooks of Business and Management Research as Practice).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  6. Published

    Computer Support for Environmental Management Accounting

    Möller, A., Prox, M. & Viere, T., 2006, Sustainability accounting and reporting. Schaltegger, S., Bennett, M. & Burritt, R. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Verlag, p. 605-624 20 p. (Eco-Efficiency in industry and science; vol. 21).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  7. Published

    Conservation of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in mediterranean environments: A reassessment of current threats

    Lozano Mendoza, J. & Malo, A. F., 08.2012, Mediterranean Ecosystems: Dynamics, Management and Conservation. Williams, G. S. (ed.). New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., p. 1-31 31 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published

    Constructed Wetlands Integrated with Advanced Oxidation Processes in Wastewater Treatment for Reuse

    Machado, E. L., Lourenço, A. M., Kist, L. T., Schneider, R. C. S., Kern, D., Lobo, E. A. A., Lutterbeck, C. A., Silveira, D. D., Horn, T. B. & Zerwes, F. V., 2016, Advanced Treatment Technologies for Urban Wastewater Reuse. Fatta-Kassinos, D., Dionysiou, D. D. & Kümmerer, K. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 197-222 26 p. (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; vol. 45).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Published

    Consumerist lifestyles in the context of globalization: investigating scenarios of homogenization, diversification and hybridization

    Kuhn, K., 01.01.2009, The new middle classes: globalizing lifestyles, consumerism and environmental concern. Lange, H. & Meier, L. (eds.). Dordrecht [u.a.]: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 49-64 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  10. Published

    Corporate Carbon and Climate Change Accounting: Application, Developments and Issues

    Schaltegger, S., Zvezdov, D., Günther, E., Csutora, M. & Alvarez, I., 2015, Corporate Carbon and Climate Accounting. Schaltegger, S., Zvezdov, D., Alvarez Etxeberria, I. & Günther, E. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 1-25 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  11. Published

    Corporate Sustainability Accounting: A Catchphrase for Compliant Corporations or a Business Decision Support for Sustainability Leaders

    Schaltegger, S. & Burritt, R., 2006, Sustainability accounting and reporting. Schaltegger, S., Bennett, M. & Burritt, R. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 37-59 23 p. (Eco-Efficiency in industry and science; vol. 21).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review