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

    The impact of nuclear accidents on provisioning ecosystem services

    Gralla, F., Abson, D., Moller, A. P., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2014, In: Ecological Indicators. 41, p. 1-14 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Humanistic Management and Sustainable Transformation with Regional Scope on Germany, Austria and Switzerland

    Mader, C., 11.2013, World Humanism: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Ethical Practices in Organizations. Khan, S. & Amann, W. (eds.). London: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 81-95 15 p. 6. (Humanism in Business Series; vol. Part F4229).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Messung und Steuerung unternehmerischer Nachhaltigkeit

    Schaltegger, S., 2013, 3. Jahrbuch Nachhaltige Ökonomie: Im Brennpunkt: Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement . Rogall, H. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag, p. 285-305 21 p. (Jahrbuch nachhaltige Ökonomie ; vol. 3.2013/14).

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

  4. Published

    Justice in environmental institutions - How do frameworks for institutional analysis consider ideas of justice?

    Stumpf, K. H., Hanger, S. & da Fonseca, I. F., 2012, Global Environmental Governance: Papers from the 2012 course. Vatn, A., Kjosavik, D., Kulindwa, K. & Vedeld, P. (eds.). Aas: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Vol. 2. p. 114-132 18 p. (Student Papers. Thor Heyerdahl Summer School in Environmental Governance.; vol. 2).

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

  5. Published

    Was prägt das Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement: Gewinnmaximierung oder Legitimitätssicherung?

    Schaltegger, S. & Hörisch, J., 2013, In: Forum Wirtschaftsethik. 21, 4, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Two Decades of Sustainability Management Tools for SMEs: How Far Have We Come?

    Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 01.04.2016, In: Journal of Small Business Management. 54, 2, p. 481-505 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Subsistence and substitutability in consumer preferences

    Baumgärtner, S., Drupp, M. & Quaas, M. F., 12.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 28 p. (University of Lüneburg Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 290).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  8. Published

    Kritische Wissenschaften zwischen Krise und Vision

    Gottschlich, D., 2013, Wohlstand – Wie anders? Linke Perspektiven. Brand, U., Pühl, K. & Thimmel, S. (eds.). Berlin: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, p. 32-36 5 p. (Manuskripte – der Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung; vol. 5).

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

  9. Published

    Plausibility indications in future scenarios

    Wiek, A., Withycombe Keeler, L., Schweizer, V. & Lang, D. J., 2013, In: International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy. 9, 2-4, p. 133-147 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Land sparing versus land sharing: moving forward

    Fischer, J., Abson, D., Butsic, V., Chappell, M. J., Ekroos, J., Hanspach, J., Kuemmerle, T., Smith, H. G. & von Wehrden, H., 05.2014, In: Conservation Letters. 7, 3, p. 149-157 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch