Seminars of the Virtual Academy of Sustainability

In this course, you will explore the rote of communication in relation to sustainability and sustainable development. After expanding your disciplinary and terminological background, the lecture focuses an the three dimensions of sustainability communication, communication of sustainability (Marketing and product communication, PR and organizational communication), communication about sustainability (i.e. climate change & sustainability representations in the media or in political discourses) and communication for sustainability (i.e. social movements, stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches). The lecture-units are complemented by interviews and dialogues with experts from the sister disciplines such as science and environmental communication, communication for social change and journalism and media research. The course ends with an outlook into future research fields and questions as well as perspectives for professional communication and communicators.

Credit Points: 3
Language: English
Workload: 90 hours
Number of students: 20 persons
Home institution: Institute for Geosystems and Bioindication
Location: Pool of interdisciplinary qualifications
Semester: Summer semester
Professor: Prof. Dr. sc. Antje Schwalb
Event number: 1514334
Voluntary info date: 22.04.2026, 4 pm, Pockelsstraße 7, room 002
Examinations: There will be two exam dates; these dates will be announced at a later time. They are expected to take place in July and September. 

Register here

Human-made climate change: causes, effects and solutions

This course deals comprehensively with climate change in the context of the Anthropocene. The scientific foundations of the climate change debate are explained and the various causes, effects and possible solutions are discussed in depth. A special feature of this course is its interdisciplinary approach: lecturers from different disciplines - from the natural sciences to (health) economics, politics, social sciences and psychology - show what climate change means for their discipline and how it can be tackled. In addition, Students for Future students will accompany the event by discussing and questioning the content with the lecturers on the one hand and contributing to the content themselves with the topic of climate activism on the other.

The course is based on the principle of transformative education. In addition to in-depth knowledge about the causes and consequences of climate change, solutions in the form of alternative possibilities, ways of life and solutions are also presented, which should help to empower students to actively contribute to solving this global challenge.

Credit Points: 3
Language: German
Workload: 90 hours
Max. number of participants: 30 people
Home institution: Institute of Geosystems and Bioindication
Location: Pool of interdisciplinary qualifications
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. sc. Antje Schwalb
Event number: 1514335

The course deals in detail and systematically with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN in an (online) self-study phase and a face-to-face session. In the online course, the 17 SDGs are first presented in summarized order in introductory videos. In the main part of the videos, the core content of the SDGs and their respective contributions to sustainable development are then highlighted from an interdisciplinary, scientifically sound perspective and examples of implementation in policy and practice are shown. The face-to-face session deepens the online self-learning phase through interactive exchange and practical applications of the SDGs with a focus on TU Braunschweig. An introduction to the program is followed by two to three specialist presentations by SDG ambassadors or experts from the university. In moderated discussion rounds or a World Café, participants will discuss key SDG topics and develop ideas for integrating the SDGs into studies, research and engagement at TU Braunschweig in workshops. Finally, opportunities for participation will be presented. The event thus offers space for networking, reflection and concrete perspectives for action at the university.

Credit Points: 3
Language: German
Workload: 96 hours
max. number of participants: 25 persons
Home institution: Institute of Geoecology
Location: Pool of interdisciplinary qualifications
Lecturer: Dr. Matthias Beyer
Event number: 1514333