Lecture Series: Scientific Perspectives on Sustainability
10/21/2025Get to know key sustainability topics and explore paths to a sustainable future: All students, teaching staff and members of the university are invited to the kick-off event on Thursday, 6 November.
As part of the certificate programme "Higher Education for Sustainable Development", the university offers the lecture series "Scientific Perspectives on Sustainability" every semester. The series will kick off again this winter semester in the autumnal setting of the Botanical Garden. Participants can look forward to insights and discussions on the topic of sustainability on Thursday, 6 November 2025, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the concept of planetary boundaries and social thresholds, which serve as guidelines for a sustainable and just future, will be discussed. Lectures and discussions will create space to explore and critically categorise approaches to socio-ecological transformation and develop initial ideas for sustainable practices.
Short Online Lectures in the Winter Semester
In four short online lectures, academics will provide brief and compact insights into current research findings and strategies for sustainable development. In 45 or 90 minutes each, participants will learn interesting facts about various aspects of sustainable development, which this semester touch on SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), among others.
The lectures will take place on 3 December, 18 December, 14 January and 28 January as Zoom meetings and are free of charge.
Wednesday, 03.12.2025, from 12 to 12:45
The ecological footprint and how it can be calculated using the life cycle assessment method
Thursday, 18 December 2025, from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Preserving biodiversity: Challenges and ways to achieve the sustainability goals
Wednesday, 14 January 2026, from 12 to 12:45 p.m.
Social well-being within planetary boundaries: The approach of a precautionary post-growth position
Wednesday, 28 January 2026, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
SDG 4: Quality education - political instrument or educational utopia?
SDG 5 - Legal perspectives on gender-just sustainability
Further information and registration can be found here.
Students can have their participation credited as part of the GSiK programme. For lecturers, the event can be credited in Module II of the certificate programme "Higher Education for Sustainable Development".
