School of Sustainability

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.

Sustainability science

We define sustainability science as an emerging but not yet consolidated field of research that explores both conceptually and empirically the bridge between the world as it is and the world as it should be. Therefore, our research projects are based on a variety of conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches, which set thematic priorities in seven institutes:

1. Why is chemistry so important for sustainability and how can chemistry best contribute to it?
2. What does land use have to do with ecosystem services, biodiversity and equity?
3. How can we best maintain and restore diversity in socio-ecological systems? What roles do history and land use play in influencing ecosystem functions and their services?
4. What does justice mean from the perspective of international law? How can actors manage transitions towards sustainability?
5. How do individuals and institutions develop sustainability competencies and act more sustainably?
6. How can we, together with science, civil society and other actors, actively contribute to the sustainable development of the region?
7. How can companies and entrepreneurs* contribute to the sustainable development of society and the natural environment?