Social Science Sustainability Studies - Institute of Political Science and Sociology

Professorship of Social Science Sustainability Studies

Social Science Sustainability Studies explore the challenges and opportunities that arise from new interactions between civil society, science, law, business, media, politics and nature in sustainability governance.

We combine political science and sociology to conduct empirical-analytical research on sustainability transitions and societal implications of climate change. Another focus in research and teaching is contested expertise and knowledge transfer in socio-ecological transformations.

Holder of the Professorship

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Ulrike Zeigermann

Room 02.122
Telephone: +49 (0)931 / 31 83142
E-mail: ulrike.zeigermann@uni-wuerzburg.de

Administrative Office

Tetyana Schmitt

Room 00.105
Telephone: +49 (0)931 / 31 84802
Fax: +49 (0)931 / 31 84893
E-Mail: sowina@uni-wuerzburg.de or tetyana.schmitt@uni-wuerzburg.de

Academic Staff

Research Projects

Area of Research: Sustainable Governance

Area of Research: Knowledge in Socio-Ecological Transformations

Master's Program Social Science Sustainability Studies

The Master program in Social Science Sustainability Studies SowiNa is aimed at students who wish to expand their knowledge of the social sciences with a focus on the multi-layered and complex topic of sustainability studies using interdisciplinary research approaches.

The interdisciplinary approach combines political science and sociological research perspectives referring to current social and political developments. As a research-oriented degree program, SowiNa enables students to work independently on research questions in social science sustainability research.

Interested in Studying?

News

Not all the news below can be provided in English. We apologize for any inconveniences.

Lecture by Levi Rohmberg and Linda Koch on the topic “The Würzburg Future Council: Deliberative democracy as a solution strategy”

As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the third event for the winter term 2025/26 on the main topic of "Sustainability policy on the defensive?!", took place on 21^st January 2026. Levi Rhomberg, Linda Koch (both JMU) gave a lecture on “The…

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Lecture by JProf. Dr. Steve Kenner on the topic “Normativity and criticism: Political education in the context of sustainability and transformation”

As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the next event for the winter term 2025/26 on the main topic of "Sustainability policy on the defensive?!", took place on 15^th December 2025. After a brief introduction by Jack Lahr (JMU), JProf. Dr,…

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New Publication by Ulrike Zeigermann und Philipp Gieg

What role do Small Island States play in current international debates on climate, the environment, and ecocide? Jun.-Prof. Ulrike Zeigermann and Dr. Philipp Gieg explore this question in their article "Judicialization as contestation: Ecocide, the small island states, and the international politics of environmental justice", which has just been published in Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space.

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Lecture by Dr. Matthias Gsänger, Philipp Kessler and Levi Rhomberg on the topic “The potential of citizens’ councils: What role can they play in our political system?”

As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the kick-off event for the winter term 2025/26 on the main topic of "Sustainability policy on the defensive?!", took place on 25^th November 2025. After a brief introduction by Dr. Matthias Gsänger, he…

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More News Archives

Wittelsbacherplatz 1

Institute of Political Science and Sociology

Lecture by Levi Rohmberg and Linda Koch on the topic “The Würzburg Future Council: Deliberative democracy as a solution strategy”

Lecture by JProf. Dr. Steve Kenner on the topic “Normativity and criticism: Political education in the context of sustainability and transformation”

New Publication by Ulrike Zeigermann und Philipp Gieg

Lecture by Dr. Matthias Gsänger, Philipp Kessler and Levi Rhomberg on the topic “The potential of citizens’ councils: What role can they play in our political system?”

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