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. Published

    Other spaces: Parks as societal mirrors

    Vilsmaier, U., 14.01.2016, Parks of the Future: Protected Areas in Europe Challenging Regional and Global Change. Hammer, T., Mose, I., Siegrist, D. & Weixlbaumer, N. (eds.). 1 ed. München: Oekom Verlag, p. 113-121 9 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    A Synthesis is Emerging between Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function and Ecological Resilience Research: Reply to Mori

    Oliver, T. H., Heard, M. S., Isaac, N. J. B., Roy, D. B., Procter, D., Eigenbrod, F., Freckleton, R., Hector, A., Orme, C. D. L., Petchey, O. L., Proença, V., Raffaelli, D., Blake Suttle, K., Mace, G. M., Martín-López, B., Woodcock, B. A. & Bullock, J. M., 02.2016, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 31, 2, p. 89-92 4 p.

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

  3. Published

    Social factors mediating human–carnivore coexistence: Understanding thematic strands influencing coexistence in Central Romania

    Dorresteijn, I., Milcu, A. I., Leventon, J., Hanspach, J. & Fischer, J., 01.05.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 4, p. 490-500 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Education for Sustainable Development after 2014: Results, Perspectives and Visions

    Michelsen, G., 2016, Education in a Globalized World: Teaching Right Livelihood. Christoforatou, E. (ed.). Immenhausen: Prolog-Verlag, p. 31-39 9 p. (Theory and Practice of School Pedagogy; vol. 30).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review

  5. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik als Service

    Meyer, E. M., 2013, ReThink: Investing Society. Brink, A. & Rohrmann, D. (eds.). Bayreuth: Universität Bayreuth, p. 31-72 42 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Stimmen der Zukunft: Eine Befragung junger Menschen zur Entwicklung Moralischer Kriterien

    Meyer, E. M. & Loev, W., 01.01.2013, ReThink: Investing Society. Brink, A. & Rohrmann, D. (eds.). Bayreuth: Universität Bayreuth, p. 377-414 38 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Transnational governance towards sustainable biofuels: Exploring a polycentric view

    Moser, C. & Bailis, R., 13.01.2016, Environmental Politics and Governance in the Anthropocene: Institutions and legitimacy in a complex world. Pattberg, P. & Zelli, F. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 103-126 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published

    Beyond Technology Push vs. Demand Pull: The Evolution of Solar Policy in the U.S., Germany and China

    Hansen, E. G., Lüdeke-Freund, F., Quan, X. & West, J., 2015, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 44 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  9. Published

    Bilanzierung von Arzneimittelverbräuchen in ausgewählten Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens und Vergleich berechneter mit analytisch bestimmten Abwasserkonzentrationen.

    Herrmann, M., Olsson, O., Fiehn, R., Herrel, M., Gebhardt, W. & Kümmerer, K., 2015, Abwasser aus Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens – Charakterisierung, Technologien, Kommunikation und Konzepte: Abschlussbericht des durch das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung geförderten Vorhabens "Innovative Konzepte und Technologien für die separate Behandlung von Abwasser aus Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens (Sauber+)". Pinnekamp, J., Palmowski, L., Kümmerer, K. & Schramm, E. (eds.). Aachen: Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Siedlungswasserwirtschaft an der RWTH Aachen e.V., p. 29-50 22 p. (Gewässerschutz – Wasser – Abwasser ; vol. 238).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Sustainable Development and Law

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 109-118 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch