Research field
Social-Ecological Transformation
Sustainability research; social-ecological transformation; sustainable regional development; climate adaptation and climate justice; coasts and resources; resilient energy systems and energy transition; cultures of sustainability; sustainable consumption; environmental governance; environmental justice and gender relations; political ecology and industrial ecology; transdisciplinary research; vocational education for sustainable development.
This research field investigates questions of sustainability and the social-ecological transformation of society from an interdisciplinary perspective. It continues the work of the artec Sustainability Research Center and brings together perspectives from the social sciences, cultural studies, engineering and educational science. Its guiding orientation is a socially just and environmentally sound development in the sense of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Three thematic priorities shape the research: first, sustainable regional development, with questions of climate, climate adaptation, coasts and resources; second, resilient energy systems, covering the technical and societal aspects of the energy, heat and hydrogen transitions and the decarbonisation of industry and infrastructures; and third, cultures of sustainability, with a focus on consumption, communication and organisation. Conceptual emphases lie in political ecology, industrial ecology and research on supply and provisioning systems; perspectives of environmental governance, gender relations and environmental justice form a cross-cutting framework. The research approach is transdisciplinary: societal problems are addressed together with actors from politics, business and civil society – in participatory projects, stakeholder dialogues and case studies from the local to the international level. Interfaces with the ITB's research fields in vocational education and training arise wherever transformation processes change work, qualification and skills needs and call for vocational education for sustainable development.
Research questions
Which strategies and pathways of social-ecological transformation can be identified at the regional level, and how are they negotiated between politics, business and civil society?
How can regions and coastal areas shape their adaptation to climate change in a socially just and ecologically sound way?
Which technical and societal conditions determine the resilience of energy systems in the course of the energy, heat and hydrogen transitions?
How are consumption practices, organisations and forms of communication changing towards cultures of sustainability, and which barriers stand in the way?
How do gender relations and questions of environmental justice shape the distribution of burdens and opportunities in transformation processes?
Which governance arrangements and participation formats enable transdisciplinary cooperation between science and practice in sustainability projects?
Which qualification and skills needs arise from the social-ecological transformation, and how can vocational education for sustainable development respond to them?
Projects
All projects-
2025–2027
Karrieren@Stahl – Careers@Steel – Career models and professional development pathways to secure and develop skilled workers in the steel industry
The research project ‘Karrieren@Stahl – Career models and professional development pathways for securing and developing skilled labour in the steel industry’ aims to address the changing qualification and skills requirements in the steel and foundry industries.
PD Dr. Susanne Peters Frieda Klaus Dr. Lisa Meyne Michael Sander Alexander Seedorf
Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler
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2024–2027
ISOV – Innovative Skills for an Old Vocation
Like all sectors, the industrial footwear manufacturing sector is also facing the megatrends of globalisation, digitalisation and sustainability. Work processes are changing – and so both initial and continuing vocational training must change as well.
Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe
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2024–2027
CESynergy – Circular Economy Pathways for the Energy Transition
Challenges of the energy transition - - - The energy sector is at a critical juncture: electricity supply systems are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. In transitioning the energy supply from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, it is not only the technological and environmental aspects that must be taken into account, but also the necessary material resources.
Dr. Vivian Harberts Myrthe Reinsberg Dr. Andreas Saniter Dr. Julia Tietjen
Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe
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2023–2026
DEVISE4KE – Strengthening the sustainable development of vocational education and training in Kenya by integrating workplace-based learning and improving the ICT skills of teachers and pupils through the use of solar energy and energy-efficient equipment
As part of the DEVISE4KE project, three secondary schools offering vocational training programmes in a rural region of Kenya are being equipped with photovoltaic systems and low-energy IT equipment. Through these measures, as well as teaching and learning activities for teachers, the aim is to enable digital-supported and work-based learning for local pupils.
Dr. Vivian Harberts Peter Kaune Dr. Christian Staden
Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe
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2024–2026
NaLoGO – Sustainability in logistics, taking the design and organisation of supply chains and e-mobility as examples
On 1 June 2024, the NaLoGO collaborative project was launched as part of the funding programme ‘Sustainable Careers – Future-Oriented Training’, with a duration of 24 months. The project is funded by the BMBF and co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus. NaLoGO aims to develop sustainability-related skills among training staff.
Dr. Daniela Ahrens Svenja Gmeinder
Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler
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2024–2025
BLP Green Energy – Strengthening vocational training for the green energy sector in Namibia
The project “BLP Green Energy Namibia” supports the development of Namibia’s vocational education and training system for an emerging green hydrogen economy and other industrial sectors. In 2025, the Institute Technology and Education (ITB) at the University of Bremen, together with the Namibia Training Authority, developed the occupational profile “Industrial Mechatronics” for Levels 2 to 4 of the national qualifications framework. It integrates electrical engineering, mechanics, automation and information technology. A complementary qualitative study involving 47 women examined career choices, training conditions and barriers to entering technical occupations, informing recommendations on career guidance, equal opportunities and transitions into employment. The results provide a foundation for the profile’s phased introduction and trainer development.
Jan Naumann Dr. Kristina Kühn Nils Petermann PD Dr. Susanne Peters
Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler
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2022–2024
WBV-HB – Bremen Automotive Industry Further Training Network
Against the backdrop of the challenges posed by the transformation of companies in the automotive industry in the state of Bremen and the surrounding area, the continuing education network aims to promote and coordinate a regional range of continuing education programmes that meet the skills requirements of companies as they shape this transformation and contribute to the strategic development of a skilled workforce tailored to these needs.
PD Dr. Susanne Peters Daniel Weerts
Department: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Gessler
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2015–2018
HAKS – Craft training for climate protection
Buildings are a major starting point for climate protection, accounting for around 40% of Germany's CO₂ emissions. Achieving national climate targets requires energy consumption reductions of approximately 80–90% by 2050. Current renovation rates indicate an urgent need for action. HAKS aimed to overcome key, frequently cited barriers to highly energy-efficient renovation sustainably and in the long term. Its focus included networking, understanding other trades' working requirements, updating knowledge of technical solutions and alternative materials and products, using digital media, and improving company training and cooperation.
Werner Müller Dr. Klaus Ruth Alexander Seedorf Dr. Christian Staden
Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe
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2015–2018
nabus – Sustainable construction and renovation – Cross-trade training for trainers and apprentices
NaBuS trains VET personnel in northern Germany as multipliers for sustainable vocational education.
Dr. Joanna Burchert PD Dr. Rainer Bremer
Department: Prof. Dr. Falk Howe
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2015–2017
Quality development in environmental education outside schools
The project supports quality development in environmental education centres. Their educational work enables children, young people and adults to acquire systemic knowledge for evaluating and acting on key issues such as biodiversity, climate protection and resource conservation. Centres emphasise authenticity, emotional and motivating experiences, and opportunities for practical collective environmental action, often cooperating with schools and other sectors of society.
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2013–2017
EcoBRU – Ecological Education for Belarus, Russia and Ukraine
The project promotes lifelong learning in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine for vocational school and general school teachers. It develops and delivers e-learning continuing education courses on environmental education, supporting the three governments' efforts to embed environmental education throughout their education systems.