Our guiding principle - Our motives
Why we do what we do
The Institute of Environmental Systems Sciences researches possibilities for the transition to a more sustainable future. To this end, we investigate transition, innovation and adaptation processes in socio-technical and socio-ecological systems at various levels.
We base our research on systems, innovation and transition sciences as well as sustainability sciences and develop and apply inter- and transdisciplinary methods to analyse and model complex systems, create scenarios and transition pathways and evaluate policies and strategies.
The Institute is characterised by the disciplinary diversity of its members. Highly motivated and excellent researchers from various fields of natural, social and formal sciences work together on real-world problems.
We are highly committed to the promotion of young academics and research-led teaching in the Environmental Systems Science degree programmes, the international Joint Master's programmes in Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, and Global Studies.
All members are actively involved in national and international (stakeholder) networks, both in teaching and in research and practice. We interact with various stakeholders, policy makers, experts and the general public and initiate mutual learning processes and knowledge exchange.