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. 2019
  2. Published

    Foundational Aspects of Polycentric Governance: Overarching Rules, Social-Problem Characteristics, and Heterogeneity

    Thiel, A. & Moser, C., 13.09.2019, Governing Complexity: Analyzing and Applying Polycentricity. Thiel, A., Blomquist, W. A. & Garrick, D. E. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 65-90 26 p. 3. (Cambridge studies in economics, choice, and society).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Einträge von Bioziden und Transformationsprodukten aus Fassadenauswaschungen in urbane Oberflächengewässer und Grundwasser

    Olsson, O., 10.09.2019, Emissionsminderung von Punktquellen im ländlichen Raum: 12. Rostocker Abwassertagung. Tränckner, J. (ed.). Rostock: Universität Rostock, Vol. 88. p. 152-158 7 p. (Schriftenreihe Umweltingenieurwesen ; vol. 88).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsTransfer

  4. Published

    Loving the mess: navigating diversity and conflict in social values for sustainability

    Kenter, J. O., Raymond, C. M., van Riper, C. J., Azzopardi, E., Brear, M. R., Calcagni, F., Christie, I., Christie, M., Fordham, A., Gould, R. K., Ives, C. D., Hejnowicz, A. P., Gunton, R., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Kendal, D., Kronenberg, J., Massenberg, J. R., O’Connor, S., Ravenscroft, N., Rawluk, A., Raymond, I. J., Rodríguez-Morales, J. & Thankappan, S., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1439-1461 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Understanding the diversity of values of “Nature’s contributions to people”: insights from the IPBES Assessment of Europe and Central Asia

    Christie, M., Martín-López, B., Church, A., Siwicka, E., Szymonczyk, P. & Mena Sauterel, J., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1267–1282 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Values in transformational sustainability science: four perspectives for change

    Horcea-Milcu, A.-I., Abson, D. J., Apetrei, C. I., Duse, I. A., Freeth, R., Riechers, M., Lam, D. P. M., Dorninger, C. & Lang, D. J., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1425-1437 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Computational history of knowledge: Challenges and opportunities

    Laubichler, M. D., Maienschein, J. & Renn, J., 01.09.2019, In: Isis. 110, 3, p. 502-512 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Focus: Computational history and philosophy of science: Introduction

    Gibson, A., Laubichler, M. D. & Maienschein, J., 01.09.2019, In: Isis. 110, 3, p. 497-501 5 p.

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

  10. Published

    Green technology innovation: Anatomy of exploration processes from a learning perspective

    Wicki, S. & Hansen, E. G., 01.09.2019, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 28, 6, p. 970-988 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Strong or weak synergy? Revising the assumption of team-specific advantages in integrative negotiations

    Hüffmeier, J., Zerres, A., Freund, P. A., Backhaus, K., Trötschel, R. & Hertel, G., 01.09.2019, In: Journal of Management. 45, 7, p. 2721-2750 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Utilization of phenolic compounds by microalgae

    Lindner, A. V. & Pleißner, D., 01.09.2019, In: Algal Research. 42, 9 p., 101602.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    Business Cases for Sustainability: A Stakeholder Theory Perspective

    Schaltegger, S., Hörisch, J. & Freeman, R. E., 09.2019, In: Organization & Environment. 32, 3, p. 191-212 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Human-carnivore relations: A systematic review

    Lozano, J., Olszańska, A., Morales-Reyes, Z., Castro, A. A., Malo, A. F., Moleón, M., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., von Wehrden, H., Dorresteijn, I., Kansky, R., Fischer, J. & Martín-López, B., 09.2019, In: Biological Conservation. 237, p. 480-492 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Slug activity density increases seed predation independently of an urban–rural gradient

    Miczajka, V. L., Klein, A. M. & Pufal, G., 09.2019, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 39, p. 15-25 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Structural ambidexterity, transition processes, and integration trade‐offs: a longitudinal study of failed exploration

    Hansen, E. G., Wicki, S. & Schaltegger, S., 09.2019, In: R&D Management. 49, 4, p. 484-508 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Sustainability Index to Assess the Environmental Impact of Heat Supply Systems

    Hehenberger-Risse, D., Straub, J., Niechoj, D. & Lutzenberger, A., 09.2019, In: Chemical Engineering & Technology. 42, 9, p. 1923-1927 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    What is governance in global telecoupling?

    Newig, J., Lenschow, A., Challies, E., Cotta, B. & Schilling-Vacaflor, A., 09.2019, In: Ecology and Society. 24, 3, 5 p., 26.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Tree neighbourhood diversity increases community productivity and growth stability under contrasting climatic regimes

    Schnabel, F., Schwarz, J. A., Danescu, A., Fichtner, A., Nock, C., Bauhus, J. & Potvin, C., 30.08.2019, In: Brazilian Journal of Forestry Research. 39, Special Issue, p. 149-149 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearch

  20. Published

    Verfassungsrechtliche Vertiefung: Neue Ansätze zur Regulierung der Windenergie: Einführung III

    Bäumler, J., 23.08.2019, BBergG: Bundesberggesetz : Kommentar. Frenz, W. (ed.). Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 39-72 34 p. (Berliner Kommentare).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesTransfer

  21. Published

    Maize silage digestate application affecting germination and early growth of maize modulated by soil type

    Robles-Aguilar, A. A., Temperton, V. M. & Jablonowski, N. D., 20.08.2019, In: Agronomy. 9, 8, 15 p., 473.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review