Program of open courses during the LMU Sustainability Week

Short description: In this artistic and art education seminar, books are bound from books in the spirit of upcycling. Daniela Loy, Future Tutor, introduces participants to the “Nature Writing” using the “Cultural Probes” method. The aim of the seminar is to make artistically designed books accessible to a wide audience in an exhibition in March 2026 in the main building.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education, SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production

Lecturers: Kathrin Thalmann, Daniela Loy (Future Tutors)

Course: Bookbinding and Nature Writing

Course type: practical seminar

Assignment: Faculty of History and Art Studies, Department of Art Studies

Language: german

Location: Leopoldstraße 13, Room 1403

Short description: This event provides insights into cultural studies—specifically ethnological—research with indigenous communities in North and Latin America. In indigenous knowledge systems, there is often no separation between nature and culture; instead, people see themselves as part of their environment in relationships with other living beings. While the importance of indigenous knowledge is now emphasized in many international forums and documents (e.g., the Convention on Biological Diversity), indigenous rights—especially land rights—are still rarely implemented at the local level. In the Reinhart Koselleck Project “Planetary Healing as a Transformative Process,” we are investigating whether and how indigenous healing practices can be scaled up from a local to a planetary level. These can then offer a different perspective on sustainability—especially in view of the manifold ecological crises of our time.

Sustainability reference: SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 12 Reduced Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water, SDG 15 Life on Land

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Eveline Dürr, Dr. des. Sarah Mund

Course: Theoretical principles

Course type: Exercise

Assignment: Department of Ethnology

Language: german

Location: Oettingenstraße 67, Room 131

Short description: Children and young people from multilingual backgrounds in Germany have long been affected by structural educational disadvantage – a problem that has been exacerbated by pandemic-related school closures and distance learning. For years, international studies such as PISA have highlighted serious social and migration-related disparities that particularly affect students from immigrant families. Early language education and support, ideally starting at preschool age, are key factors in creating equal opportunities and sustainably reducing educational inequality. The lecture takes an interdisciplinary approach—from linguistics to educational research—to examine how potential difficulties in language acquisition can be identified early on, how multilingualism can be promoted in an appreciative manner, and how evidence-based digital methods can be used to overcome real educational barriers in a targeted and sustainable preventive manner.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4, high-quality education, less inequality, fairness

Lecturers: Dr. Nicole Weidinger

Course: Introduction to multilingualism research

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies Department, Institute for German as a Foreign Language

Language: german

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Room M 010

*** Unfortunately, this contribution has had to be cancelled at short notice, but may be made available in an online format at a later date.***

Short description: How can sustainable development be promoted without squandering opportunities or ignoring risks?
The event addresses two key issues of our time:
The first part focuses on sustainable food production—from regenerative agriculture to sustainable supply chains.
The second part will examine the topic of risk negotiation: How can ecological, economic, and social risks be identified, assessed, and negotiated responsibly?
Together, we want to discuss perspectives, strategies, and innovative approaches that not only promise sustainability, but also shape it.

Sustainability reference: SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Sophie Johler, Dr. Danai Etter

Course: -

Course type: seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chair of Food Microbiology

Language: german

Location: Veterinärstr. 13, room number to follow

Description: The lecture covers the composition, formation and stability of organic soil matter as well as the central processes of humification and mineralisation. It shows how humus acts as a store for carbon, nutrients and water, thereby contributing significantly to soil fertility and climate relevance. Using examples such as moors, permafrost soils and different forms of humus, spatial differences and controlling factors of humus dynamics are explained. Finally, the threats posed by land use and climate change, as well as the importance of humus conservation for soil protection and sustainable land management, are discussed.

Sustainability Reference: SDG 15 Life on Land, SDG 13 Climate Action

Lecturers: Dr. Thomas Mayer

Course: Special Physical Geography II: Soil Science and Landscape Genesis

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Luisenstr. 37, C 106

Short description: The lecture “Geographical Environmental Modeling” is part of the curriculum of the master's program “Environmental Systems and Sustainability” at the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Geosciences; it is usually offered to master's students in their third semester. As part of Sustainability Week, the lecture covers concepts of scenario development for climate (impact) research and presents model approaches that can be used to move from a climate model to concrete application or the development of adaptation strategies for new extreme events.

Sustainability reference: SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy, SDG 13 Climate action, SDG 14 Life below water, SDG 15 Life on land

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig, Dr. Andrea Böhnisch

Course: Geographical Environmental Modeling

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Luisenstr. 37, A343

Short description: The lecture series examines climate change and its consequences in the Earth system from a physical-geographical perspective. After providing an overview of natural climate fluctuations since the formation of the Earth, session 4 focuses on the transition to the “Anthropocene,” the age of human dominance in all areas of the Earth system. We shed light on the background of the Anthropocene debate and highlight its interdisciplinary causes and consequences.

Sustainability reference: SDG 13; The concept of the “Anthropocene” leads directly to the question of responsibility and management of human influence on the Earth system through sustainable management and resource use.

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz

Course: Climate change and the Earth's system

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Master's in Geography (Environmental Systems and Sustainability), Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Richard-Wagner-Straße/Luisenstr. 37, D116

Short description: Based on these two basic concepts, we will discuss the extent to which ethnocentric perspectives hinder global understanding and how cultural perspectives can influence sustainable thinking. The event is part of a regular lecture series.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education, SDG 10 Reduced inequalities, SDG 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

Lecturers: Dr. Gregor Sterzenbach

Course: Introduction to Intercultural Communication

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Cultural Studies, Institute for Intercultural Communication

Language: german

Location: online via Zoom

Meeting Link:

https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/j/66049498940?pwd=8lOVsJu78VCqe8g4DLE0iqQLcvytuT.1

Meeting-ID: 660 4949 8940 Kenncode: 781354

Short description: Ludwig, Max + U ['luːtvɪk 'maks ænd ju] is the new format for exhibitions and dialogues at LMU. Current research is presented in the newly created temporary exhibition space in the university's main building. It is easy to understand, aesthetically pleasing and has tangible references to everyday life. This is achieved through a collaboration between science and design.
The pioneering exhibition comes from the Faculty of Biology and deals with the topic of ‘biodiversity’. In addition to a guided tour of the exhibition and some explanatory words on the concept, we will discuss together how scientific research is presented and to what extent this can lead to practical application of the information.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality Education; Biodiversity

Lecturers: Julia Otte

Course: -

Course type: Dialogue

Assignment: -

Language: german

Location: Thomas Mann Hall, LMU main building, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1. Follow the colourful posters!

Short description: As part of Sustainability Week, students from the Open University of Tanzania, together with Dr Gomes (Chair of Education for Behavioural Disorders and Autism, LMU), will present their experiences from a unique university partnership. The focus will be on how international cooperation can contribute to inclusive education for sustainable development – through digital participation, cultural exchange between students and lecturers, and joint learning. The presentation provides insights into specific projects between LMU and OUT in the Mara region of Tanzania and shows how global responsibility can be put into practice at universities.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education

Lecturers: Dr. Luiz André Dos Santos Gomes

Course: -

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Department of Education and Rehabilitation

Language: english

Location: Leopoldstraße 13, Haus 1, 5. Stock, Raum 1503 (03)

Short description: The lecture will introduce the concept of climate resilience and highlight its changes with evidence over a long period. It covers the achievements, progress, and innovative solutions in diverse contexts. It aims to foster a narrative of optimism, against the backdrop of risk and crisis discourses, and to demonstrate the potential for climate-resilient development.

Sustainability reference: SDG 13 Climate action

Lecturers: Dr. Liang Yang

Course: Geography and Sustainability

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: english

Location: Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, D114

Short description: This interactive event explores how we can shape our vacation behavior in a way that respects planetary boundaries while also taking into account our personal needs and expectations for a vacation. After a brief introduction, the lecturers will present possible scenarios for how this could be achieved. The various approaches will then be discussed in groups and possible solutions developed. Participants will thus experience first-hand how (supposed) conflicts of interest between environmental sustainability and quality of life can be dealt with, using travel and vacations as examples. The event offers space for reflection and co-creation of ways in which a good life could be achieved in harmony with ecological and social boundaries.

To help us coordinate the group discussions, please register in advance by November 3 at this link:

https://terminplaner6.dfn.de/b/af728f16c2dc1f4acf91318037cc008a-1430196

Sustainability reference: SDG 12 Sustainable production and consumption

Lecturers: Dr. Sonja Berger

Course: -

Course type: Seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Luisenstraße 37, Room C202

Short description: This event provides a forum for discussing models and methods for promoting sustainability in educational institutions. Following a short keynote speech by the organizer, ideas will be gathered, discussed, and presented in small groups. There will also be opportunities for networking and exchange. The aim is to develop practical strategies for replication in schools through this exchange.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education; Education for sustainable development

Lecturers: Dr. Sonja Berger

Course: -

Course type: Seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Teaching and Research Unit for Empirical Education and Educational Psychology

Language: german

Location: Leopoldstr. 13, Room 1305

Short description: Michael Braungart is one of the two founders of the Cradle to Cradle design concept, which forms the basis for the European Union's Green Deal and Circular Economy programme. Together with organisations and companies from various industries, Michael Braungart designs eco-effective products, innovative business models and intelligent material pooling. For his work, he was named a Hero of the Environment by Time Magazine in 2007, together with William McDonough. In 2022, he received the German Sustainability Award.

Sustainability reference: SDG 12 Sustainable production and consumption; circular economy, cradle to cradle, book industry

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg), apl. Prof. Dr. Johannes Frimmel (LMU)

Course: -

Course type: Talk

Assignment: Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies, Centre for Book Studies

Language: german

Location: Schellingstr. 3 (S) / S 007

Short description: This course traces the conceptual and empirical development of land grabbing. We begin our journey with a reflection on historical land appropriations that led to dispossession. We discuss the conceptual origins of ‘land grabbing,’ including the insights of Carl Schmitt, David Harvey, and Karl Marx. From there, we move on to new forms of land grabbing in the name of environmental protection and less visible forms of dispossession through control measures that lead to increased vulnerability to climate change. We examine current theories on green grabbing, market grabbing, ocean grabbing, and urban warfare. We offer empirical insights from around the world and highlight the complex connections between domestic and foreign forces involved in land grabbing today.

Sustainability reference: Land grabbing that occurs in the name of "sustainability transitions", land grabbing that results in increasing vulnerability to climate change

Lecturers: Dr. Julia Teebken, Dr. Alexandre Pereira Santos

Course: Land Use and Land Use Conflicts

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: english

Location: Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, Raum D105

Short description: How can education for sustainable development be firmly established in higher education, particularly in teacher training programmes?
In the ‘ESD Teaching Modules’ project, we are developing a digital tool that provides didactic teaching and learning materials on sustainable development topics for various subjects. The aim is to support lecturers in integrating ESD topics into their courses.
At the ESD Teaching Modules Meetup, we will present the concept and initial sample teaching modules, engage in dialogue with interested parties, and gather valuable input for the further development of the project.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education; sustainability in teaching

Lecturers: Evelyn Kovacs, Nathalie Horky

Course: -

Course type: networking meeting

Assignment: Münchener Zentrum für Lehrerbildung (MZL), cross-faculty

Language: german

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Raum M 207

Short description: The current weakness of democracy, a highly fragile common good, is radically changing the conditions for action on sustainability. Must democracy change its claims to freedom and its procedures in order to become fit for the future in times of climate change? How could this be achieved? Is democracy failing in the competition between systems with centralised regimes due to the inertia of decision-making processes associated with the large number of veto players? How can the paralysing fatigue of transformation be overcome? What role do the law (e.g. constitutional complaints), science, religion and civil society resistance play? How can climate protection become acceptable in international competition? What can be learned from the multi-level model (Ostrom) and civil society ‘micro-optimism’ for successful transformation processes? In examination of Felix Heidenreich's fundamental political science study, the lecture explores the question of how democracy and sustainability influence each other.

Sustainability reference: SDG 16; This concerns the political conditions for implementing sustainability.

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Markus Vogt

Course: Political Ethics

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Catholic Theology Faculty, Chair of Christian Social Ethics

Language: german

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Room M010

Description: This event addresses your questions about the climate crisis and sustainability goals: Why are so few people taking action? What would it take to communicate effectively? How could I get others on board? If you have these or similar questions, Mitho Müller (psychologist) and Barbara Meyer (educational scientist, psycholinguist) are available to answer them. Both have been dealing with topics of sustainability and education in their research and teaching for years.

Just join the Zoom room online, where all questions will be collected and answered in a methodical manner:
https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/j/62776835936?pwd=DDnMoREke5spEKvzehcmNHiE0kpFsk.1

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education, SDG 13 Climate action; questions with broad relevance to sustainability are answered

Lecturer: Dr. Barbara Meyer, Dr. Mitho Müller

Course: -

Type of event: Seminar

Affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Chair of Christian Social Ethics

Language: german (if necessary and after consultation with the participants, we could switch to English)

Location: online

Description: I will give a short presentation (<30 minutes) on measures and local, national and international initiatives for greater sustainability in laboratories. This will be followed by the regular lecture on human biology as part of the general biology lecture for first-year students.

Sustainability reference: SDG 12 Sustainable consumption and production; Green Labs

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Enard

Course: General Biology – Human Biology

Type of event: Lecture

Affiliation: Faculty of Biology, Anthropology and Human Genomics

Language: german

Location: Large Biology Lecture Hall, B00.019, Großhadernerstr. 2, Martinsried
and via Zoom
https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/j/65237523252?pwd=M1cyRTlHdUdJYWliVHJjT01JVjB6Zz09

Short description: The seminar will present a range of examples of how sustainability can be integrated into mathematics lessons for pupils with special educational needs. The focus will be on practical arithmetic.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4; Education for Sustainable Development

Lecturers: Susanne Giering, Vera Ziegler

Course:: Individual learning support in inclusive and specific settings II (mathematics)

Coure type: Seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Special Education (focus on learning support, including inclusive education)

Language: german

Location: Geschw.-Scholl-Platz 1, Room A015

Short description: We would like to invite all Faculty 11 staff members who are interested in sustainability issues and would like to get involved at the university to come along to a meeting. We will briefly present how we have already worked as the faculty's sustainability initiative, how we are currently working and how we would like to continue working. Afterwards, we can chat over snacks and drinks. Please bring your ideas with you – we will explore together what further actions or forms of cooperation might be possible.

Sustainability reference: Faculty 11 sustainability initiative

Lecturers: Invitation from Dr. Barbara Meyer and Dr. Mitho Müller

Course: -

Course type: networking meeting

Assignment: Faculty of Psychology and Education

Language: german

Location: Leopoldstr. 13, Raum 3221

If you are interested in participating online, please send an email to Mitho.Mueller@psy.lmu.de.

Short description: The workshop "Blue Economy: From UN Agenda 2030 to Sustainability Reporting" will explore the interconnectedness of ocean-based industries and sustainable development. In the first part, participants will gain an overview of key blue economy sectors—such as fisheries, maritime transport, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, and renewable ocean energy—while examining how these sectors are organized within the EU Blue Economy cluster and their direct links to the UN Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. The second part will focus on practical pathways to sustainability reporting, introducing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) framework with a particular emphasis on the Voluntary SME (VSME) standard. Participants will learn how smaller organizations can take their first steps towards compliance, build internal capacity, and integrate SDG-aligned performance indicators into their reporting processes.

Sustainability reference: SDG 14 Life below water; Sustainability in Aquaculture

Lecturers: Christina Zantioti

Course: -

Course type: Workshop

Assignment: Agricultural University of Athens

Language: English

Location: Grosshadenerstr. 09, Room N01.017 (Planegg/Martinsried)

Short description: The lecture “Theoretical and Applied Hydrology” is part of the curriculum of the master's program “Environmental Systems and Sustainability” at the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Geosciences; it is usually offered to master's students in their first semester. As part of Sustainability Week, the lecture provides an introduction to the concept of “integrated water resource management” and uses selected examples to show how freshwater scarcity in critical areas can be addressed effectively and sustainably. The problem statement covers the dynamic changes in both water supply and water demand and shows ways in which sustainable management can succeed in times of rapid global change – and how it cannot.

Sustainability reference: SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water, SDG 15 Life on Land

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig

Course: Theoretical and Applied Hydrology

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Luisenstr. 37, C024

Short description: The mature Old Testament concept of creation presented in Genesis 1 not only presupposes an awareness of the world, but also motivates us to treat the disenchanted world responsibly.

Sustainability reference: ethics of responsibility

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Martin Arneth

Course: The 10 Commandments

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Protestant Theology, Chair of Old Testament II

Language: german

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, B106

Short description: "The political task of democratically shaping social development in a way that is socially and globally just, economically viable, and ecologically compatible, so that all people—in all parts of the world, now and in the future—can lead a good life, gives rise to education for sustainable development (ESD) as an important lifelong educational task: ESD should enable individuals to develop options for action in relation to sustainable development for themselves and society as a whole in the face of the diverse crises and complex challenges of the 21st century. This involves developing skills that enable people to participate in negotiation and design processes for sustainable development despite contradictions, uncertainties, and conflicting goals." (KMK Recommendations 2024)

The seminar will discuss ideas for implementing the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) in German language teaching. This includes, for example, the selection of suitable children's and youth literature. In addition, the discursive teaching and learning materials and method patterns of the BNE BOX plus (www.bne-box.de) can be recommended. Furthermore, educational films and a digital self-learning unit offer insightful moments for reflection on ESD in German lessons.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Sabine Anselm, Christoph Schneider

Course: Introduction to Education for Sustainable Development

Course type: Seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies, Research Center for Values Education and Teacher Training

Language: german

Location: Schellingstr. 3, RG Room 209

Short description: As part of the "Statistical Modeling" lecture series, statistical models related to climate change will be presented in the LMU Sustainability Week. The first part will focus on the report "The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change". The results and statistical models underlying the report will be discussed. In the second part , methods for climate forecasting using simulation models will be presented. In particular, statistical models fr analysing droughts and flood events will be presented.

Sustainability reference: SDG 13 Climate action

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Helmut Küchenhoff

Course: Statistical Modelling

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

Language: english

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Raum M118

Short description: This initiative is aimed at anyone who wants to strengthen their mental resilience and learn effective strategies for coping with stress. Participants gain a better understanding of what resilience is and how it can be specifically promoted in everyday life. Practical methods are used to demonstrate ways of achieving emotional self-regulation and provide ideas for dealing with stressful or challenging situations in a more conscious and calm manner.

Sustainability reference: SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Yvette Hofmann

Course: -

Course type: virtual impulse

Assignment: Faculty of Business Administration, Institute for Leadership and Organization

Language: german

Location: Online via Zoom

https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/j/64825194286?pwd=ZTlMM0FBbTZrdk1aY25sVGthQU5xZz09

Short description: This 45-minute online session will introduce the new course from el mundo DIGITAL, “Education for Sustainable Development.” The course can be completed asynchronously as a digital self-study course and provides an overview of the basics, objectives, and methodological repertoire of ESD. This information event is aimed at students who are interested in future-oriented education, as well as lecturers who may wish to align their own teaching with ESD. The Zoom link will be posted here shortly.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education

Lecturers: Hannah Schlicht, Luisa Neugebauer

Course: el mundo DIGITAL

Course type: Information lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: online via zoom

https://lmu-munich.zoom-x.de/j/69051761513?pwd=Jzxgw9aqw5qeeaEKnbpqX8RRkdUwZJ.1

Meeting-ID: 690 5176 1513
Passcode: 420213

Short description: This lecture deals with the evolutionary theory principles of adaptation to changing environments. It describes the basic mechanisms of mutation, genetic drift, selection, migration, and recombination.

Evolution is the basis of biodiversity, which is currently under severe pressure. The lecture provides an insight into the mechanisms involved, and at the end of the lecture we will take some time to discuss whether evolutionary adaptations are fast enough to respond to the rapidly changing environments of our time.

Sustainability reference: SDG 15 Life on land, SDG 14 Life below water

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Jochen Wolf

Course: Mechanisms of Evolution

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Biology

Language: german

Location: LMU Biozentrum, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Large Lecture Hall Biology B00.019

Short description: As part of the "Statistical Modeling" lecture series, statistical models related to climate change will be presented in the LMU Sustainability Week. The first part will focus on the report "The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change". The results and statistical models underlying the report will be discussed. In the second part , methods for climate forecasting using simulation models will be presented. In particular, statistical models fr analysing droughts and flood events will be presented.

Sustainability reference: SDG 13 Climate action

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Helmut Küchenhoff

Course: Statistical Modelling

Course type: Lecture

Assignment: Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Statistics

Language: english

Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, Raum M118

Short description: The event reflects on the experiences gained during the excursion to the Ruhr region and shows how ESD and excursion didactics intertwine in Germany's largest economic area. Excerpts from the exam format to be created by the participants, a podcast series, will also be shown.

Sustainability reference: SDG 4 Quality education

Lecturers: Wolfgang Then

Course: Sustainable Development Excursion (el mundo certificate program)

Course type: Seminar

Assignment: Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Geography

Language: german

Location: Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, Room D118