We, the members of the “Doctoral School of Sustainable Development” at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, share a common vision of a just and balanced world. Docs, master students and senior researchers collaborate across departments and with experts from relevant fields of science and practice to contribute to sustainability knowledge in different societal areas ranging from agriculture to science-policy interaction.

From Vision…

Our sustainability vision comprises the commonly addressed goal to balance the ecological, social and economic dimensions, based on the principles of inter- and intragenerational justice. Thus, for us sustainability means more than reaching a consensus between different interests, but it refers to an idea of equity as the basis of freedom and to respectful treatment of nature.

In our research we strive for facilitating societal benefits and sustaining ecological functionality. We conceive us humans as an active part of nature with responsibility for our actions and we believe that ways exist towards balanced relationships and mutual support between societal systems and ecosystems.

…to Mission

The school’s self-defined mission is to educate outstanding young scientists in the field of sustainability research and to provide innovative, problem-oriented scientific knowledge by adopting an inter- and transdisciplinary research approach. Through relating to different theories, methodologies and disciplinary paradigms and by engaging with experts and stakeholders from different parts of society, the young researchers shall develop skills beyond the boundaries of single disciplines.

Furthermore, we see the school as an integral part of the sustainability strategy of BOKU University.