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. 2025
  2. Published

    System capacities and implementation challenges in Germany's electric vehicle policy mix: an actor-centered review of the policy mix

    Gathen, L., Upham, P. & Newig, J., 08.2025, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 218, 12 p., 115787.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Variable social-ecological indicators across a Tanzanian protected area network

    Vallin, J., Raycraft, J., Bettermann, D., Kioko, J., Kissui, B. M., Koester, S., Lindsay, K., Ole, E. M., Ramirez, E., Spizuco, B., Loos, J. & Kiffner, C., 08.2025, In: Biological Conservation. 308, 25 p., 111214.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Effectiveness of an integrated platform-based intervention for promoting psychosocial safety climate and mental health in nursing staff: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial

    Boß, L., Ross, J., Reis, D., Pischel, S., Mallwitz, T., Brückner, H., Tanner, G., Nissen, H., Kalon, L., Schümann, M., Lennefer, T., Janneck, M., Felfe, J., Ducki, A. & Lehr, D., 01.07.2025, In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. 167, 14 p., 105076.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    The multifaceted spectra of power − A participatory network analysis on power structures in diverse dryland regions

    Olofsson, V., Garcia, M. M., Castro, A. J., Calderón, S. C., Diallo, A. H., Aceituno, A. J., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Gonzalez, T. S., Silvino, A. S. & Aguiar, A. P., 01.07.2025, In: Global Environmental Change. 92, 12 p., 102984.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Enhancing the transformative potential of sustainability innovations: An application of the values-rules-knowledge framework

    Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 07.2025, In: Ambio. 54, 7, p. 1250-1266 17 p., 102273.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    We have to talk! Claims of early career researchers to transform circular economy research

    Beyeler, L., Eimterbäumer, M., Jürgens, M., Böckel, A., Schoch, K., Bichler, R. M., Straub-Mück, M., Molnár, M. & Jaeger-Erben, M., 07.2025, In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 221, 3 p., 108423.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  9. E-pub ahead of print

    Weaving values, knowledge and context to care for human–nature relationships in protected areas

    Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., van Riper, C. J., Andrade, R., Raymond, C. M., Goodson, D. J., Keller, R. & Plieninger, T., 23.06.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: People and Nature. 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Alle für eine*n? Bündnisfälle im EUV und Nordatlantikvertrag

    Bartmann, E. & Jacobs, C., 19.06.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Indigenous and Local Communities' initiatives have transformative potential to guide shifts toward sustainability in South America

    Jimenez-Aceituno, A., Burgos-Ayala, A., Cepeda-Rodriguez, E., Lam, D. P. M. & Martin-Lopez, B., 19.06.2025, In: Communications Earth & Environment. 6, 1, 9 p., 481.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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