Research projects of ISOE

Transdisciplinary Research Projects

Social-ecological research praxis is marked by the complex way it views problems and by a transdisciplinary research process. Specific complexes of societal problems are treated as problematic social-ecological states of affairs, which are to be investigated in individual research projects. In other words, the goal of social-ecological research is not to plug up holes in a given discipline’s stock of knowledge but to deal with societal problems in their complex wholeness and rooted in their tangled social-ecological context. The organization form for such problem-oriented, discipline-crossing research is the research project. In short, ISOE does research within research projects oriented toward basic research, application and conceptual development.

Basic research oriented research projects aim to increase research capability through methodological and theory development, while also seeking to develop newer and better ways of describing scientific problems. Here the emphasis is on the interdisciplinary integration of knowledge. The core of the work done involves problem analysis and the creation of system knowledge.

Applied research oriented projects focus on the development of practical options for action aimed at solving concrete problems and on the development of instruments and strategies for societal action. Here the emphasis is on the integration of knowledge within selected practical contexts. Projects seek to produce practical, useable results that can provide orientation for action.

Conceptual development oriented projects concentrate on the development of prototypical methods or products for use in solving practical problems. Here the emphasis is on a strong concept of transdisciplinary knowledge. Projects work with a double orientation: society and science, and seek to produce transformation knowledge.

Field of Research Water and Sustainable Environmental Planning

Integrated Water Resources Management in northern Namibia – Cuvelai-Basin (CuveWaters) ...more
Transformation Management for a Sustainable Water Infrastructure ...more
Water 2050 - Sustainable Innovations ...more

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Field of Research Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods

Systemic Risk – Knowledge Integration and Risk Governance ... more
Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre ... more
Strengthening the Practice of Transdisciplinary Research - tdPrax ... more
Transdisciplinary Integration - Cooperation and Concept Devlopment in Knowledge Networks ... more
Management Strategies for Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water - start... more
Task Force on Social Sustainability... more

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Field of Research Everyday Ecology, Energy, Consumption

Policies to Promote Sustainable Consumption Patterns EUPOPP ... more
Sustainable Acting in Business and Private Dailey Life ... more
Motives of residential mobility in Braunschweig ... more
Energy Saving by Intelligent Measuring and Feedback Systems - Intelliekon ... more
Motivating and Enabling Private Home Owners for Energy Efficient Refurbishment of Single and Double Occupancy Houses ... more
Demand-Driven Life-Cycle Management: Developing Urban Neighborhoods ... more
"Quali-Set-Praxis" - Practical Quality Assurance & Management in Health Promoting Settings ... more

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Field of Research Mobility and Life-style Analysis

Future Fleet – Integrating electric and plug-in hybrid cars in company vehicle fleets ... more
Zero-Emission-Mobility – Human Powered Mobility with Fun ... more
LS_Net: Renewal of the Social-ecological Life-Style Research ... more

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Field of Research Gender & Environment

Exemplary Introduction of Gender Mainstreaming in two Saxon Hospitals ... more
Gender & Environment- Research... more

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Field of Research Population Dynamics and Supply

Supplying the Population – Interactions Among Demographic Trends, Needs, and Supply Systems (demons) ... more