When developing measures and approaches for transformations towards sustainability, it is important to know and understand people’s perspectives.
This means finding out what attitudes, needs, motives or perceptions people have and what measures or changes in behavior they accept or reject. Amongst other things, we consequently develop segmentations or target group models, on the basis of which specific communication approaches for socio-ecological transformations are created. We use various methods of empirical social research:
We conduct standardized surveys to assess the attitudes, needs and acceptance of measures that promote sustainability among the population. We design these surveys as representative nationwide or regional population surveys or as panel surveys. In addition, we conduct municipal surveys, for example to determine the status of municipal climate adaptation.
To explore new issues, but also to identify deeper, complex phenomena, attitudes or perspectives, we use qualitative methods of empirical social research. These include for example guideline-based, problem-centered interviews, VR-assisted and ethnographic interview methods, expert interviews, Delphi surveys and focus groups or future workshops. In order to gain the most comprehensive and well-founded understanding of the issue at hand, we often work with a mixed-methods approach in which case we combine qualitative and quantitative surveys. We also work with discourse, media and governance analyses.
Creating transformative spaces to identify new ways of dealing with uncertainties in water resource management – using the example of karst landscapes in Europe
The research project examines normative conflicts that are emerging in the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
SoCoDES investigates socio-ecological dynamics in the Anthropocene and focuses in particular on interactions between biodiversity and social developments.
The project Bio-O-Ton develops a new machine-learning approach to the assessment of biodiversity by combining smartphone sound recordings with satellite imagery.
The mobility transition requires cooperation between political, civil society and economic players. Innovative measures and social innovations are being tested in real-world laboratories.
ChemKom investigates how scientific organizations, industry associations, authorities and NGOs strategically communicate scientific content, with a focus on per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS).
The aim of the gwTriade project is to develop an integrated assessment concept for groundwater ecosystems based on ecotoxicological characterization, chemical analysis and the recording of faunal diversity.
The research project investigates the influence of social transformation processes on cultural landscapes and their biodiversity.
The SCIP Plastics research project is developing a master plan for the city of Khulna (Bangladesh) that aims to transform the municipal waste management system in a sustainable way.
ISOE is researching how train stations can become attractive, sustainable mobility hubs and lively places to spend time. It is developing a modular catalog of measures for their design.
Hypowave+ is supporting the implementation of the piloted HypoWave concept. It focuses on integrated quality management, which stands for a holistic view of water treatment processes and regional vegetable production.
KomKlAn creates an improved knowledge base for municipal climate adaptation and aims to strengthen the municipalities' adaptation activities.
Forest conversion to mixed forest is intended to ensure the sustainability of forests threatened by climate change. Conflicts over their use are dealt with and negotiated in the “Forest of the Future” project through dialog formats such as round tables.
The MORE STEP research project is investigating change processes in the ecosystem of the eastern Mongolian steppe and their possible consequences for nature and society.
Working out an example for the conservation and restoration of savannah ecosystems worldwide, the research project investigates how climatic, ecological and social factors drive desertification in Namibia.
The junior research group regulate investigates challenges in the management of groundwater in Europe against the background of acute drought, conflictuality and the complexity of institutional frameworks.
The project is investigating ways of establishing regional networks to process precipitated phosphorus into phosphorus fertilizers in so-called struvite plants.
The SLInBio joint project investigates social-ecological interactions between lifestyles and everyday practices of city dwellers and urban insect diversity.
The GreeN-H2 Namibia project is investigating the feasibility of producing, converting and transporting green hydrogen in Namibia.
RobustNature identifies characteristics that determine the robustness of ecosystems and guarantee their functionality through dynamic compensation in the event of disturbances.
The project investigates the effects of greater plant diversity on human health and biodiversity, with a focus on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants.
In three real-world laboratories, SuPraStadt II is investigating how the needs of residents in the fields of housing, open space and mobility can be reconciled with the ecological requirements of sustainability.
CapTain Rain develops climate services for forecasting and assessing heavy rainfall events. It also identifies measures to adapt to climate change and mitigate disaster damage.
The LogMob research project is investigating the implementation of an integrated mobility and logistics concept for major events in terms of its potential impact and the acceptance of its measures.
FlutNetz aims to improve local knowledge for emergency response to flood disasters and focuses on gender-sensitive vulnerabilities.
The PendelLabor research project is investigating how commuting between the city and the region can be made more sustainable.
The project analyzes conflicting goals and synergies of socially just environmental policy and develops recommendations for sustainable and accepted measures.
The NamTip project investigates desertification tipping points in Namibia's savannahs, analyzes social and ecological factors and develops sustainable pasture management strategies.
The BIOZ project investigates environmentally friendly alternatives for controlling mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus through citizen science, experimentation and dialog.
The project develops points of reference for those involved in neighbourhood development in order to better consider the opportunities and risks of the increasing digitalization of everyday life in planning processes.
ORYCS investigates the suitability of wildlife management strategies as a climate-friendly land use option. Together with stakeholders, it develops conflict-regulating approaches.
The EU project TRI-HP is investigating the social acceptance and requirements of innovative trigeneration systems in order to make renewable energy technology for residential buildings user-friendly and effective.
The study examines the biodiversity awareness, attitudes and acceptance of measures of stakeholder groups in agriculture and forestry in order to achieve more effective nature conservation.
The MORE STEP research project investigates processes of change in the ecosystem of the Mongolian steppe and their socio-economic and ecological causes and consequences. The mobility of wild and domesticated herd animals plays a central role here.
The ENGAGE project investigates the conditions under which the participation and commitment of citizens to sustainability can lead to “sustainable public welfare”.
Using citizens' forums and participatory methods, the research project investigates mobility needs and barriers to the use of car sharing, electric mobility & co.
The project is developing an electromobility concept for Darmstadt-Rhine-Main-Neckar, analyzing needs and potential greenhouse gas savings and integrating regional mobility services.
The netWORKS 4 project is investigating the networking of water infrastructures in urban areas. The aim is to initiate dialog processes on their sustainable design.
In a qualitative study, ISOE maps perceptions and attitudes in society towards climate change and climate protection.
The program aims to promote the capacities of young scientists in Africa for transdisciplinary research and to support scientific contributions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The INTERESS-I research project is dedicated to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for the water management of urban green spaces.
The ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association works in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner. Our study highlights the added value of this approach.
The project is developing dialog and communication formats, such as web-based information and participation platforms, in order to constructively regulate conflicts and the context of renaturation.
AJAP II investigates environmentally friendly measures against the Asian bush mosquito, tests their effectiveness and examines their acceptance by the population and local authorities.
The project empirically investigates how the social participation of different population groups can be improved through sustainable consumption.
The PLASTRAT project is developing solutions to reduce plastic in water bodies in urban areas and investigating consumer perceptions of environmentally friendly plastic.
In collaboration with students and lecturers from the Master's degree course in Communication Design at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, six communication campaigns were created to appeal to young people for sustainable consumption.
WohnMobil develops models for the planning and implementation of communal mobility and housing services as well as land use.
The RoboCab project is researching user acceptance and requirements for autonomous vehicles in car-sharing and cab fleets.
The project investigates how consumers perceive sustainable product characteristics and how companies can better design and communicate products.
In the Heat Consulting project, ISOE scientists are developing new approaches to reduce heat consumption in households.
In the PowerFlex project, ISOE is investigating the spread and use of air conditioning systems in private households in Germany. The aim is to model and more accurately estimate the level of future energy consumption.
In the noise breaks project, the scientists are investigating how the new runway utilization concept at Frankfurt Airport, which is intended to lead to a reduction in noise, is assessed by the population.
The project investigates the social and cultural values of water bodies in order to better integrate social perspectives into future renaturation projects.
