ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research in Frankfurt

ISOE-Institute for Social-Ecological Research, based in Frankfurt/Main, is one of the leading non-university institutes for sustainability research in Germany.

For 25 years, the institute has been developing scientific basis for decision-making as well as future-orientated concepts for policy makers, civil society, and economy on a regional, national, and international level. ISOE takes a transdisciplinary approach to the pressing global problems of water shortage, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation. In finding sustainable solutions to everyday challenges, they take social, economic, and ecological conditions into account. Today, ISOE has approximately 50 permanent staff members, 36 of whom are engaged in scientific research. The institute is made up of six research units. Scientists are supported by Internal Services, Knowledge Communication and Public Relations, as well as Science Coordination and their own library.

The Green Talents will gain insight on several lighthouse projects of the ISOE during their visit. Amongst others, these projects will be presented:

CuveWaters – Integrated Water Resources Management in Northern Namibia, with the aim to strengthen the potential of the region’s resources by developing, adapting and implementing innovative technologies for water supply and sanitation. The international joint project is led and coordinated by ISOE.
LOEWE Biodiversity and Climate Change Research Centre BiK-F, where research is carried out on the mutual influence of climate change and changes in biodiversity, the ensuing management of ecosystems, and how these can be imparted to stakeholders. ISOE is a partner of the Centre.
KlimaAlltag – low carbon lifestyles in the zero emissions city, is a project investigating low carbon lifestyles in different social strata. The transdisciplinary researcher team working on KlimaAlltag is examining how everyday routines in different social classes can be changed, and how climate-friendly ways of life can be supported. The focus is on mobility, nutrition, home living, and household energy consumption.
micle – Climate Change, Changes to the Environment and Migration in Sahel, examines whether climate-related changes to the environment are the trigger for migratory movement by linking social and scientific data. The project seeks to bring about a better understanding of the complex interactions between ecological, social, economic and political factors.
mobile2020 – Promoting Cycling in Central and Eastern Europe. The project sets out to promote the use of bicycles in small and medium-sized towns with a population of up to 350,000. The aim is to reach up to 350 local authorities during the course of the project using a two-stage procedure. People in eleven countries are being trained as 'disseminators'.

Short summary of the visit at ISOE, 31. October 2014

After visiting Mainz, the Green Talents continued their journey to the neighboring Frankfurt (Main), Germany´s financial centre. Not only is the German Stock Exchange located in Frankfurt but also the headquarters of almost all internationally operating financial institutions.

Beside the finance sector, Frankfurt is also well-known for its research facilities, like the Goethe University, the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE). The ISOE is one of the leading non-university institutions for social-ecological research and has been developing the scientific basis for decision-making as well as future-orientated concepts for policy makers, civil society, and economy on a regional, national, and international level for 25 years.

The brief introduction of the institute by Dr. Jahn and Dr. Schuldt-Baumgart was followed by a group discussion on “Transdisciplinarity in Sustainable Sciences”. After a lunch with many of the presenting researchers of ISOE, a selection of projects such as “CUVE WATERS – Sustainable Water Management in Namibia” and “Low carbon lifestyles in the zero emissions city” were presented and discussed in the context of a World-Café. The visit of the ISOE was rounded off with a guided tour of the LOEWE Biodiversity and Climate Change Research Centre (BiK-F).

The introduction of the work of the ISOE bridged the gap between natural and social sciences and was therewith the ideal conclusion of this year’s institution visits.