# TRA Sustainable Futures: Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Futures
**Source**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures
**Parent**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile
© Uni Bonn
Sustainability means using resources in a way that the needs of today are met without neglecting or even disregarding the needs of future generations. This raises questions in a wide range of areas: poverty, hunger, food security, demographic change, health, protection of the environment, climate change and the responsible use of resources pose a global challenge for us all. To achieve progress with regards to the [UN Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/)1, our researchers apply an interdisciplinary approach focused on solutions combined with basic research, actively engage in global networks and collaborate with Bonn-based UN organizations.
### Research
Research profile, topics and projects from our members
[More](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/research/research)2
### About us
Organisation of the TRA, network, team
[More](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/about-tra-sustainable-futures/about-tra-sustainable-futures)3
### Offers
TRA calls and grants as well as events
[More](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/offers/offers)4
### Transfer & Outreach
Innovative applications, science communication and the press review
[More](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/transfer-outreach)5
## News from the TRA
### Notifications
[© University of Bonn](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/044-2026 "Bonn’s Domestic Service Robots Defend Their Title")6
[Bonn’s Domestic Service Robots Defend Their Title](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/044-2026)6
The University of Bonn´s NimbRo team convincingly defended its @Home League championship title at the RoboCup German Open, finishing well ahead of the runner-up. From March 10 to 14, the service robots demonstrated their capabilities in everyday environments. They understood complex voice commands, navigated safely through a simulated apartment and an unfamiliar restaurant, delivered orders, and removed laundry from the washing machine.
Mar 16, 2026
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[© Photo: Barbara Frommann/University of Bonn](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025 "Researchers develop a ChatGPT for Portuguese")7
[Researchers develop a ChatGPT for Portuguese](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025)7
Large language models, such as ChatGPT, perform significantly less well in Portuguese than in English despite both languages being spoken worldwide. This gap has now been closed with "GigaVerbo". The team led by Dr. Nicholas Kluge Corrêa from the Center for Science and Thought at the University of Bonn is now presenting the project in the journal "Patterns". The researchers were among the first to utilize the new "Marvin" supercomputer at the University of Bonn. Nicholas Kluge Corrêa and his colleague Aniket Sen are both members of the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Sustainable Futures" at the University of Bonn.
Mar 06, 2026
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[© Denis Nasser / Universität Bonn](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/rainforest-conservation-is-bad-for-the-economy "Rainforest conservation is bad for the economy!?")8
[Rainforest conservation is bad for the economy!?](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/rainforest-conservation-is-bad-for-the-economy)8
Violence, organized crime, and health problems: these issues do not immediately spring to mind when one thinks of the Brazilian rainforest. Clearing trees there not only releases stored carbon dioxide and decimates biodiversity. There are many different effects associated with rainforest destruction: Gustavo Magalhães de Oliveira and Yannic Damm from the Institute for Food and Resource Economics at the University of Bonn have investigated violence and respiratory diseases as consequences of deforestation. In the new episode of the Hypothesis podcast, the scientists discuss the thesis “Rainforest protection is bad for the economy” with host Denis Nasser.
Feb 05, 2026
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[© Photo: COLOURBOX.de](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/017-2026 "Two days of oatmeal reduce cholesterol level")9
[Two days of oatmeal reduce cholesterol level](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/017-2026)9
A short-term oat-based diet appears to be surprisingly effective at reducing the cholesterol level. This is indicated by a trial by the University of Bonn, which has now been published in the journal Nature Communications. The participants suffered from a metabolic syndrome – a combination of high body weight, high blood pressure, and elevated blood glucose and blood lipid levels. They consumed a calorie-reduced diet, consisting almost exclusively of oatmeal, for two days. Their cholesterol levels then improved significantly compared to a control group. Even after six weeks, this effect remained stable. The diet apparently influenced the composition of microorganisms in the gut. The metabolic products, produced by the microbiome, appear to contribute significantly to the positive effects of oats.
Jan 23, 2026
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[More press releases](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/press-releases-1/press-releases-tra-6)10
### Highlights and Announcement
- [### News
Dates, announcements, etc.
© Towfiqu Barbhuiya/unsplash](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/aktuelles)11
- [### Projects
Projects and project ideas with financial support from TRA Sustainable Futures
© Oli Dale, unsplash](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/offers/projects)12
## Get Involved in the TRA
© Christina Schiegl
### Become a member of TRA Sustainable Futures!
As TRA member, you will have access to TRA funding and opportunities for networking beyond the borders of your own discipline.
[Membership Application](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/network/membership-application)13
### Members
The TRA Sustainable Futures currently has more than 220 members whose research is focused on the four priority areas of TRA Sustainable Futures.
[Members Directory](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/members-directory)14
## Meet our Researchers
Inter- and transdisciplinary research actively pursued at the University of Bonn and is promoted across faculty boundaries. The faces of TRA Sustainable Futures are our Hertz-Chair, our Argelander-Professor and the numerous dedicated scientists.
© Gregor Hübl/Uni Bonn
#### Transdisciplinary Research on Climate Change and Health
### Prof. Dr. Ina Danquah
Hertz-Chair "Innovation for Planetary Health"\
Research professorship in the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Sustainable Futures" of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.
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© Gregor Hübl/Universität Bonn
#### Collective Action for Sustainable Development
### Jun.-Prof. Dr. Wolfram Barfuss
Argelander-Professorship "Integrated System Modelling for Sustainability Transitions" \
Research professorship in the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Sustainable Futures" of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.
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## Contact
Hanna Zimmermann
[zimmermann@uni-bonn.de](mailto:zimmermann@uni-bonn.de)
[tra6@uni-bonn.de](mailto:tra6@uni-bonn.de)
[+49 228 73 54469](tel:+49 228 73 54469)
TRA Manager | Strategic Development and Quality Assurance Unit
Dechenstraße 3-11
53115 Bonn
© Jürgen Hofmann
## Further information
### The TRAs
In the TRAs top researchers work together across faculty boundaries on key academic, scientific, technological and societal issues relevant to our future.
**[Learn more](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tras)17**
### Excellence Strategy
We want to create an ideal environment for outstanding researchers that fosters creative scientific work and promote talented researchers at all stages of their careers.
**[Learn more](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy/excellence-strategy)181919**
### Cluster of Excellence
PhenoRob, the only Cluster of Excellence in Germany in agricultural sciences, brings together researchers to investigate how technology can enable sustainable crop production.
**[Learn more](https://www.phenorob.de/)20**
## Links
1. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
2. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/research/research
3. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/about-tra-sustainable-futures/about-tra-sustainable-futures
4. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/offers/offers
5. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/transfer-outreach
6. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/044-2026
7. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025
8. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/rainforest-conservation-is-bad-for-the-economy
9. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/017-2026
10. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/press-releases-1/press-releases-tra-6
11. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/aktuelles
12. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/offers/projects
13. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/network/membership-application
14. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/members-directory
15. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/hertz-professur
16. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tra-6-sustainable-futures/argelander-professur
17. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas/tras
18. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy/excellence-strategy
19. https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/forschung-lehre/forschungsprofil/exzellenzstrategie/exzellenzstrategie
20. https://www.phenorob.de/