A sign marks an experimental area in a tall green grassy meadow.

Research and Transfer

An outline of research projects on sustainability
A sign marks an experimental area in a tall green grassy meadow.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)

Scientific research fulfills important functions in dealing with the major challenges facing society today. It provides the basis for technological and social innovations and generates orientation knowledge that is indispensable for shaping complex transformation processes. In addition, researchers themselves drive change processes as socially relevant actors. Through the diverse - disciplinary as well as inter- and transdisciplinary - research activities of its members, Friedrich Schiller University contributes to answering societal questions about the future and is committed to strengthening the role of scientific knowledge and facts in societal debates.

Research projects related to sustainability

At Friedrich Schiller University, several faculties have research projects focusing on ecology, sustainable development and innovation, or the interface between sustainability and social justice.

To get a small insight into the sustainability-related research happening at the university, some of these sustainability foci and projects are listed below:

Please note that the research projects presented here are only a selection of the research projects related to sustainability at the University of Jena. Further information on sustainable research topics can be found on the websites of the respective faculties.

Start-Ups and transfer projects at the University of Jena

Campus of the university, in the background the green mountains of the city.

Campus of the university, in the background the green mountains of the city.

Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)

In the history of the University of Jena, there have been various start-ups and transfer-related projects that can be seen in the context of sustainable development and climate change. For these enterprises, further cooperation with the university is essential. In addition, the transfer of new research results takes place quickly and directly into practical applications in business and society. Some well-known spin-offs or transfer-related projects are presented below. 

  • ThINK

    The Thuringian Institute for Sustainability and Climate Protection (ThINKExternal link) provides comprehensive research, planning, consulting and educational services in Germany and abroad in the fields of climate (climate protection, climate change and climate change adaptation, urban climate ...), energy (renewable energies, energy efficiency ...), satellite- and UAV-based remote sensing as well as the broad field of sustainability (e.g. CO2 balancing and compensation).

  • Earth Oberservation Service GmbH

    E|0|SExternal link is a pioneer in operational processing of active microwave remote sensing data for mapping forest biomass and other forest-related biophysical parameters that are important for sustainable forest management. In addition, other innovative services are offered, covering a broad spectrum from the analysis of all types of remote sensing data to the development of digital training content.

  • Alpha Analytics UG & Co. KG

    The Alpha AnalyticsExternal link team is active in the field of DataScience and is highly experienced in the processing and analysis of data in an industrial environment. In particular, machine learning and multivariate analysis methods are used to identify complex relationships in data and, based on this, to make predictions, for example, about the health of machines or the quality of products.

  • WINNER-Verbundprojekt

    WINNERExternal link is the implementation approach of an energy-grid-neutral electromobility integrated into the objectives of the housing industry (WoWi). It combines local, renewable energies in the housing properties, their use as energy supply in the neighborhood (also referred to as tenant electricity) and the promotion of commercial and private electromobility through the intelligent use of excess capacities, load fluctuations and grid status of both the local and the public power grid.

  • The Jena Declaration

    The Jena Declaration. Cultural and regional dimensions of global sustainability

    The Jena Declaration (TJD) calls for double radical change of paradigm in sustainability research and policies. First, from an ecology to a culture centered approach. With our bodies, we are part of nature. Therefore, nature is not our environment. The way we act as nature depends always on our cultural background, and the regional context. This leads to the call for paradigmatic change of from top-down to bottom-up approach. More information under: https://www.thejenadeclaration.org/External link