Working Group
Plural Sustainabilities
The working group “Plural Sustainabilities” brings together researchers from different disciplines, institutions and countries working in the field of sustainability and sustainable development (in the broadest sense). The aim of the working group is to provide a space for thought and reflection on the diversity of practices, approaches, concepts and understandings, strategies and initiatives in the field of what we call “sustainability”.
44
authors
2
interdisciplinary publications
3
leading institutions
Our working group is flexible and dynamic - there are no fixed members. Instead, the participating researchers are constantly reassembled according to interest and capacity. This also gives rise to topic-specific sub-working groups. The thematic focus and objectives are determined together with the participating colleagues at different times.
Our journey to date
📌 Phase 1 (2021–2022):
In an open, interdisciplinary exchange, we examined the topic of sustainability from a social and regional science perspective - also with a view to political interfaces.
📌 Phase 2 (2022–2024):
Based on the results of phase 1, intensive work has been carried out to develop an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability research. The results are currently being compiled in two publications.
📌 Phase 3 (2025–2026):
The focus is now on finalizing our publications. At the same time, we are testing how our research findings can be meaningfully integrated into university teaching.
Activities
Workshops
Regular workshops on interdisciplinary sustainability research, including international exchange formats and collaborative writing. Focus on global dialog and sustainable development.
International Staff Visits
Staff visits between the Bonn community and the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS) promoted cooperation on “Critical Sustainabilities” in two one-week exchange formats.
Education and teaching
Our working group provides new impulses in education and teaching: through lectures in established programs, joint short programs and pioneering publications. A creative exchange for sustainable research and teaching.
Workshops
,Our working group is regularly involved in national and international exchange formats. Here is an overview of current and past workshops:
📌 Workshops of the working group “Alternative Sustainabilities. Between local contexts and global measures”
📅 2022–2024 | German Committee Future Earth (DKN)
Regular workshops with a limited number of participants - nine researchers from our group.
📌 International Workshop ‘Interlinking Sustainability Science in a Global North-South Dialogue’
📅 July, 14-19, 2024
In-depth discussions with colleagues from Bolivia, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia and Colombia. Focus: Comparison of “sustainability research” in different science systems internationally; reflection on research policy and cooperation. In addition: Discussion of and commentaries on the dialog version of the German Sustainability Strategy with input into the public consultation process.
📌 Final Roundtable ‘Sustainability Science in a Global North-South Dialogue’
📅 July 18, 2024
Discussion round with international guests and a group of experts from Bonn (30 participants).
📍 By personal invitation only.
📌 Regular workshops on interdisciplinary sustainability research
Exchange formats with approx. 30 authors and editors of an emerging resource book on Sustainabilities beyond Disciplines. Focus on collaborative writing, critical thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Past events
International Staff Visits
Staff Visits – Bonn & St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS)
As part of our collaboration with the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS), two important staff visits took place:
📌 February 2024 – Staff Visit in Bonn
A one-week visit to the StACCS team in Bonn to promote cooperation in the area of “Critical Sustainabilities”.
📖 Blog Report
📌 March 2024 – Staff Visit in St Andrews
In return, a team from Bonn visited StACCS in St Andrews for a one-week exchange week.
📖 Blog-Report
News paths in education and teaching
Lectures in existing teaching programs and lecture series
Our working group is active in various teaching and lecture formats. Here is an overview of past events in existing teaching programs and lecture series:
📌 November 30, 2023 – “Sustainabilities in China. How Culture and Tradition Matter”
On the occasion of a double launch of two MA programs on sustainability at the University of Rostock.
Speaker: S. Gilgan
📌 November 24, 2022 – “Alternative Sustainabilities? Between Local Contexts and Global Dimensions”
As part of the Lecture Series “Sustainability. About resources and needs” at the University of Bonn.
Speakers: S. Gilgan, K. Großmann
📌 October 19, 2022 – “Alternative Sustainabilities”
In the Interdisciplinary Course of the Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn.
Speakers: S. Gilgan, K. Balogun (UNU-EHS)
Collaborative educational short programs
📌 2025–2026 – Transformative Two-Year ‘Spring School’ Workshop Series
Transformative two-year ‘Spring School’ workshop series focused on reimagining research practices for sustainability research.
For doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers.
Led by the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, in collaboration with the University of St Andrews (Scotland), StACCS.
Publications
📌 Sustainabilities Beyond Disciplines. A Critical Study Book
In preparation, publication expected in 2025.
📌 Working Paper ‘Plural Sustainabilities: Reflections and Ways Ahead’
In preparation.
Central Contactpersons
Dr Sandra Gilgan
Dechenstr. 3-11
D-53115 Bonn
Prof Dr Kristina Großmann
Nassestraße 2
53113 Bonn
Cooperation partners
