The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development is a non-university research center, and a member of the Leibniz Association. Our subject is the sustainable development and transformation of cities and regions in the context of the global human-ecological crisis. We investigate dynamic interactions between ecosystems and society at and across multiple spatial scales, as well as options for responsible stewardship. Our research is interdisciplinary, working across the social, natural and engineering sciences. It is also transdisciplinary, collaborating in knowledge co-production with stakeholders in the public, private and civil society sectors. We aim to foster just urban and regional transformations that enable humanity to thrive within a safe ecological operating space. We are committed to comprehensive sustainability management for all our activities. We set great value on training young researchers and supporting academic careers. We also promote equal opportunities and the compatibility between work and family life. Our approach has therefore repeatedly received the TOTAL-E-QUALITY award.