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Hub for Crossdisciplinary Learning

Hub for Crossdisciplinary Learning

Photo: UHH/von Wieding

Hub for Crossdisciplinary Learning

Sustainability Certificate

The interdisciplinary Sustainability Certificate is a University-wide opportunity to delve into sustainability topics. Program participants, teachers, and facilitators are a growing “community of practice” in the field of sustainability. The certification program sees sustainability holistically, in line with the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals. Accordingly, the courses cover a broad range of topics including political, economic, social, technological, and cultural matters. The program aims to foster vital skills in education for sustainable development (UNESCO Roadmap 2030) and foresighted, systemic, creative thinking.

The Sustainability Certificate brings together students across disciplines and facilitates a holistic view of sustainability outside of your own subject area. The program consists of lectures and seminars on sustainability as well as workshops and excursions. This gives the cohort an opportunity for internal and external networking and collaborative, practice-oriented learning. Your reflections on your own learning experiences and individual and group skills will be documented and shared in a multimedia portfolio.

The program is largely self-driven. In addition to sustainability literacy, it encourages becoming active and provides opportunities for developing agency and resilience.

The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences Sustainability Certificate (for students in the faculty only) is an alternative for those who wish to specialize in sustainability in STEM.

Answers to FAQs

Who can get the Sustainability Certificate?

Our program targets BA and MA students in all subject areas.

In which semester(s) can I take part in the Sustainability program?

A new cohort for the Sustainability Certificate program began in both the 2023/2024 winter semester and the 2025 summer semester. Unfortunately, no new cohort is planned for 2026.

What are the components of the Sustainability Certificate?

The program includes:

  • an opening workshop at the beginning of the semester (4 UE), which takes places in May (details after you sign up)
  • attending a lecture series, e.g., Lecture Series Sciences for Future or other available lecture series open to the certification program (minimum participation)
  • 2 seminars on diverse sustainability topics, e.g., Sustainability Video Documentaries and Sustainability Innovation Lab (28 course hours) (3 ECTS per seminar)
  • 2 day-long workshops in the faculties / University of Hamburg (each 8 course hours)
  • 3 network meetings / excursions: learning about projects / organization on site (each 4 course hours)
  • E-portfolio—documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

The required courses and activities can be taken throughout the entire course of your studies. In addition to gaining the 6 ECTS in the 2 seminars, you will also need to take exams. After you successfully complete the program, you will be awarded the certificate in a festive ceremony.

Learning goals

The Sustainability Certificate recognizes interdisciplinary and holistic skills in the field of sustainability, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established under the UN’s 2030 Agenda, such as:

  • awareness of different types of knowledge, ideas, definitions, terms, methods, and applications related to sustainability;
  • the identification, discourse on, and critical evaluation of the relationships between systems (political, economic, social, technological, and cultural), as well as key debates, practical issues, and proposed solutions;
  • resilience in the face of unfamiliar modes of reading and uncertainty; analysis of different data sets, texts, and images;
  • the ability to independently find, understand, evaluate, and compile interdisciplinary research findings and to think and act in an interdisciplinary, cooperative, and forward-looking way;
  • the ability to apply knowledge and reflect on experience to form and articulate your own ideas, views, and attitudes in different ways (orally, in writing, visually) for different audiences

How do I sign up for courses?

Places in the certification program are limited. Where interest exceeds availability, places will be assigned by lottery. 

Contact

Luiza Roeting & Phil Land
Sustainability Office