Journal “Soziologie und Nachhaltigkeit (SuN)”
Since January 2015, the working group on collective and sustainability research at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Münster publishes the digital journal “Soziologie und Nachhaltigkeit – Beiträge zur sozial-ökologischen Transformationsforschung” (SuN) (in English: Sociology and Sustainability – contributions to social-ecological transformation research). The journal focuses on strengthening sustainability research in the social sciences and on connecting different perspectives. In particular, the SuN aims to combine traditional theories with current theoretical discourses in the sustainability context. The journal addresses scientists and practitioners in the field of sustainability.
DynaMo
The junior researcher group DynaMO works in the field of inter- and transdisciplinary research on urban mobility and is herein supported by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. DynaMO studies current processes of change and future potentials for change (Dynamics) in the domain of urban mobility. It focuses on social and technical innovations in the socio-technical mobility system. The project aims at shaping urban mobility systems, within the context of sustainability, in an economically efficient, socially responsible and ecologically viable way.
March Münster Meetings
Annually, a small group of internationally renowned sustainable consumption scholars gathers in Muenster for the March Muenster Meetings. In week long workshops, they explore a selected aspect of sustainable consumption research and action in depth.
Working Group on Collective and Sustainability Research
The Working Group on Collective and Sustainability Research was founded in 2013/2014 at the Institute of Sociology of the WWU Münster in order to concentrate and extend already existing research and teaching activities. At first, both collective- and socio-ecological socialization research and urban and regional research constituted the main research topics. Both topics’ merging as well as the making of contacts to other disciplines and relevant communities will furthermore strengthen the focus on inter- and transdisciplinary transformation research.
Former Research and Working Groups
Trans Sustain
Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) have evolved into key transnational governance instruments to bind international markets to fundamental principles of sustainable development. As they continue to extend their influence in international markets scholars become increasingly interested in studying the efficacy of VSS. The research group TRANSSUSTAIN focuses on the efficacy of VSS in global coffee value chains. The main research question is to what extent VSS are capable of turning global coffee production into a more sustainable industry.
Governance for a European Energy Union
The interdisciplinary working group, involving political, economic and legal scientists, is part of the initiative “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS) and supported by acatech (German Academy of Science), the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Union of German Academies of Sciences. It aims to provide impetus for the debate on the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in Germany.