Transdisciplinary sustainability research

New understanding of social-ecological transformations

The call for social-ecological transformation has gained in urgency during the corona crisis, but it is in fact not new. The consequences of unabated climate change and species extinction are proving to be so far reaching and consequential that the need for a change of course has long been discussed – in society, science, politics and also in the economy. But how can sustainable transformations be...Read more

Digitalisation in water management

Cyber security flaws

Digitalisation is now also making itself felt in the water sector. The term ‘WATER 4.0’ alludes to new digital options for a flexible, resource-efficient, and competitive form of water management – intelligent measuring and control systems that can meanwhile replace manual operation. The processes and constituent parts of water supply and wastewater disposal, such as water treatment plants,...Read more

Academy for Transdisiplinary Research

Launch of the tdAcademy platform: Research to solve social problems and crises is strengthened

The need for transdisciplinary research is growing. At the same time, structures and places for the further development and dissemination of transdisciplinary methods, concepts and competencies are lacking both in research and teaching. This gap is now to be closed by the foundation of an academy for transdisciplinary research. The platform tdAcademy began to work in June 2020. The founding...Read more

Frankfurt Citizens University

“Water in the Anthropocene” – ISOE and Citizen’s University go virtual

In the Anthropocene – the age of man – the popular image of the natural water cycle no longer applies, as man has long since intervened in this cycle in many places. The consequences are sometimes massive and can be seen in changed precipitation patterns as well as in sinking groundwater levels. How can water of good quality and in sufficient quantities still remain available?  ISOE’s seminar on...Read more

What effects does transdisciplinary sustainability research have?

Research project TransImpact publishes special issue of the journal ‘Environmental Science & Policy’

Transdisciplinary research – for instance within sustainability research – can provide targeted support for the solution of complex societal problems. This is possible as transdisciplinary research includes – across disciplinary boundaries – knowledge gained from experience and from everyday life and thus expands the cognitive process incorporating this specific yet not scientific information.Read more

Water-saving food production

Soil-less sustainability: Novel agricultural crop production incorporating water reuse

Record temperatures and prolonged periods of drought are increasingly affecting agriculture worldwide. In Germany, too, droughts are now jeopardizing high-yielding harvests. A cultivation system with a new type of irrigation technology using water reuse is particularly suitable for arid regions and selected crops. And now results and specific recommendations are available for a practical...Read more

UN World Water Day on 22 March

Water and climate change: How cities and their inhabitants can counter the consequences

On World Water Day (22 March), the United Nations will focus on the link between water and climate change. It is a complex and momentous issue, also for Germany‘s cities: heat waves and heavy rainfall events are increasingly posing major challenges for water infrastructures. Research by ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research shows which adaptation measures are suitable in times of climate...Read more

World Wildlife Day

How the ecosystem of the Mongolian steppe can be preserved 

The steppes of Mongolia are unique. They are among the last grassland ecosystems in the world where wild animals can actually move freely. But social and economic changes are threatening this ecosystem. The consequences are water shortage and soil degradation. A key factor for the preservation of the steppe landscape is the nomadic way of life.Read more

Climate Adaptation

Urban green in times of climate change – students develop communication concepts for municipalities

ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research has worked together with the Hessian Centre for Climate Change (FZK) and students of the HPI School of Design Thinking (D-School) during a three-month project on the topic of “Urban Green Spaces in times of Climate Change”. The results of this semester project are now available.  Read more

ISOE Lecture Winter Semester 2019/20

Shaping a Better Planet in the Age of Humans – ISOE Lecture on the anthropocene debate with Erle C. Ellis

ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research in Frankfurt am Main continued its series “ISOE Lecture” in the winter semester of 2019/20. This year’s lecture at the Goethe University Frankfurt was dealing with the debate on the anthropocene. The renowned environmental scientist and anthropocene researcher Erle C. Ellis from the University of Maryland has outlined how societies can meet global...Read more

Sustainability research

German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) acknowledges the development of ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research

In a recent statement, the German Council of Science and Humanities has acknowledged the positive development of ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research that has taken place since the evaluation in July 2016. The Council of Science and Humanities is impressed by the process of structural and content-related reorientation that ISOE has set in motion since the evaluation. It particularly...Read more

ISOE study on biodiversity research

Demographic change and decline in biodiversity: context more complex than previously known

The continuing loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest global environmental problems. In the scientific and political debate about its causes, demographic change is repeatedly cited as the most important indirect driver. However, ISOE researchers have discovered that demographic processes such as population growth do not necessarily have negative consequences for biodiversity. Almost 150...Read more