First Sustainability Day of the Department of Labor Studies: Students present projects on a sustainable future

What role can sheep's wool play in sustainable production cycles? How does a "food bank" support animal owners in need? And what could a school that ideally implements career guidance look like? These and other questions were addressed at the first Sustainability Day of the Department of
Work Studies at the University of Kassel.

For the first time, the results of the project seminars were not only presented as part of internal examinations, but also publicly. Over the course of a semester, students developed projects on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in cooperation with Kassel-based companies and organizations as well as on the topic of "Work and Utopia". They have now presented the results to an interested audience.

The projects presented covered a wide range of topics: for example, students developed the concept of a "zero-stress school", which aims to prevent teachers and pupils from becoming overworked and burnt out. Another project dealt with the revision of peepholes for the Wassererlebnishaus Fuldatal, which visitors can use to explore ponds and observe various underwater animals. Other groups developed ideas for the future, such as a utopia in which care work would be more socially recognized and structurally anchored in institutions.
Insights into regional collaborations were also provided. For example, the audience was given a look behind the scenes at the Kassel animal shelter and learned about the challenges involved in producing an information video for the facility. Students also presented their vision of how vocational orientation can be systematically anchored in schools - including an exemplary timetable.
The program was supplemented by a lecture by Dr Maximilian Spiegelberg from the SDG+ Lab at the University of Kassel, who stepped in at short notice for Professor Bernd Overwien, who was ill. Spiegelberg presented the Lab's fundamental work and current projects. In the current theme year "Transformations in Work and Economy", the SDG+ Lab is dedicated to decentralized, socially inclusive and alternative approaches for a sustainable and circular economy in North Hesse. Interested parties can also get to know the lab's work on site - for example at Uni:Lokal at Wilhelmsstraße 21 in Kassel.

The positive feedback from participants was also reflected in the students' comments. One participant summed up the day as follows: "Everyone who wasn't there today really missed out!"

The next Sustainability Day of the Department of Work Studies is already planned: It will take place on July 17, 2026.