Organisation profile

Sustainability has many facets. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching characterize the School of Sustainability. Scientists in our research projects work together in the laboratory, on the heath, in the grassland, in the classroom, with the city administration, with farmers, with non-governmental organizations, with companies, with students in the lecture hall and of course at their desks.

Furthermore, we work with regional and national political actors, e.g. ministries, as well as international organizations, e.g. UNEP, UNESCO, EU. We are part of national and international bodies, e.g. sustainability advisory boards of companies, member of the German Sustainability Award, World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), in order to contribute to social change with scientific findings.

Main research areas

Vision
Sustainability science investigates on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical level how to promote sustainable development and how to find and implement effective solutions for current social and ecological challenges. The aim is to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability researchers are called upon to take responsibility for their research, which is anchored in existing scientific knowledge and methods and serves to make the world a better place for everyone.

Mission
We promote change towards a sustainable future by developing theories, concepts and practices of inclusive education for sustainability, research, governance and management.

We acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of values, norms and behaviour and contribute with transdisciplinary methods to ensuring that tensions and differences between different disciplines, methods, topics and standards are fruitfully taken up and used with productive compromises and further developments towards sustainable development.

Principles
The School of Sustainability is guided by the normative concepts of ecological system integrity and social and economic justice.

Ecological system integrity refers to the safeguarding of life-support systems, as well as the maintenance of the well-being of life on Earth.

With social and economic justice we strive for a world in which all people can fulfil their potential without endangering system integrity and the well-being of others.

Information about the School
The School of Sustainability includes...
... ca. 25 professors
... ca. 100 research assistants
... ca. 1000 students in Bachelor and Master courses

In various inter- and transdisciplinary projects we are constantly researching and working together on changes and solutions for current challenges.

  1. 2026
  2. Published

    Decentralized fermentative production of succinic acid from food industry residues: Life-cycle- and economic assessments

    Lüttger, A., Kleps, C., Sula, K., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Pleissner, D., 03.2026, In: Sustainable Chemistry One World. 9, 9 p., 100165.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Do consumers prefer multidimensional or multiple single-issue sustainability labels? Evidence from rice markets in Germany and Singapore

    Checco, J., Demont, M., Coote, L. V., Schulze, M., Permani, R., Muflikh, Y. N., Mitchell, J. & Aziz, A. A., 03.2026, In: Food Quality and Preference. 137, 15 p., 105812.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Enhanced forest structural heterogeneity increases functional β-diversity but reduces α- and γ-diversity in soil nematodes

    Schwarz, R., Bradler, P. M., Chao, A., Chuang, P.-Y., Ciobanu, M., Decker, O., Delory, B. M., Dietrich, P., Dittrich, S., Fichtner, A., Lettenmaier, L., Junginger, M., Mitesser, O., Mori, A., Müller, J., von Oheimb, G., Pierick, K., Eisenhauer, N. & Cesarz, S., 03.2026, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 214, 14 p., 110078.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Perceived plasticity of climate-relevant behaviors and policy support among high- and lower-income individuals

    Nielsen, K. S., Dablander, F., Debnath, R., Emogor, C. A., Ghai, S., Gwozdz, W., Hahnel, U. J. J., Hofmann, W. & Bauer, J. M., 03.2026, In: Global Environmental Change. 96, 13 p., 103107.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Structuring success: How issue-packaging agendas foster better joint outcomes in multi-issue negotiations

    Zhang, H., Geiger, I., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 03.2026, In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 123, 9 p., 104856.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Pluralism and integration? A systematic review of ecological economics methodological foundations

    Kretschmer, M. F., Engler, J. O., von Wehrden, H., Rathgens, J. & Ament, J. A., 02.2026, In: Ecological Economics. 240, 10 p., 108832.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Time to take the Declaration of Helsinki seriously? A systematic review of comparison conditions in clinical trials on internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

    Grolig, L., Brückner, H. A., Heimes, H., Buntrock, C., Hempeler, C., Spiegelhalder, K. & Lehr, D., 02.2026, In: Sleep Medicine Reviews. 85, 10 p., 102224.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Do sex differences influence test habituation and internal data validity in neurocognitive testing? A blinded measurement error analysis

    Warneke, K., Oraze, M., Herbsleb, M., Afonso, J. & Wallot, S., 26.01.2026, In: Neuroscience. 593, p. 106-121 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. E-pub ahead of print

    International regulation of commercially exploited sharks: challenging the notion of shark “bycatch” in tuna RFMOs

    Schatz, V. J. & Kachelriess, D., 07.01.2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics. 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Effectiveness of and Mechanisms of Change in a Self-Help Web- and App-Based Resilience Intervention on Perceived Stress in the General Working Population: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Hannibal, S., Behrendt, D., Wessa, M., Schäfer, S. K., Dalkner, N. & Lehr, D., 05.01.2026, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 28, 23 p., e78335.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. E-pub ahead of print

    Tree species richness drives multiple facets of bee diversity via understorey microenvironment

    Xie, T. T., Li, Y., Wang, M. Q., Staab, M., Chen, J. T., Liu, X. W., Shi, X. Y., Zhou, Q. S., Niu, Z. Q., Ma, K. P., Bruelheide, H., Luo, A., Chesters, D., Hao, J. S. & Zhu, C. D., 02.01.2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Animal Ecology. 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Arthropod species loss underpins biomass declines

    Wildermuth, B., Bröcher, M., Ladouceur, E., Meyer, S. T., Schielzeth, H., Staab, M., Achury, R., Blüthgen, N., Hertzog, L., Hines, J., Roscher, C., Schweiger, O., Weisser, W. W. & Ebeling, A., 01.2026, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 10, 1, p. 83-94 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Flower resource availability and Tetragonisca fiebrigi flower visits in two farming communities of Bolivian Chiquitanía

    Benavides-Frias, C., Saravia-Nava, A., Rodriguez, P., Sun, P., Benra, F., Morón Aguilar, D. & Hanspach, J., 01.2026, In: Global Ecology and Conservation. 65, 15 p., e03990.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Leveraging change in ecosystem restoration: from planting trees to regenerating people-nature systems

    Frietsch, M., Kaplin, B. A., Mukuralinda, A., Nkurikiyimana, D., William, A., Bariyanga, J. D., Duguma, D. W., Kayitanirwa, C., Mujawamariya, M., Nsengimana, V., Nshimyumuremyi, P., Nyiramvuyekure, V., Nduwamungu, J., Serge, S., Turikunkiko, E., Tuyizere, D. & Fischer, J., 01.2026, In: Trees, Forests and People. 23, 5 p., 101134.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Participatory mapping of local people's values in restoration landscapes in Western Rwanda

    Ndayizeye, G., Kmoch, L., Baumann, M., Nsengimana, V., Fischer, J. & Plieninger, T., 01.2026, In: Restoration Ecology. 34, 1, 13 p., e70217.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Practical implementation of artificial intelligence for climate change mitigation in cities – priorities, collaborations and challenges

    Hintz, M. J., Gross, M., Creutzig, F. & Kaack, L. H., 01.2026, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 131, 104498.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Reconceptualizing the role of socioeconomic material stocks in the leverage points framework to enable transformative change

    Haas, W., Abson, D. J., Haberl, H., Spittler, N., Wiedenhofer, D. & Dorninger, C., 01.2026, In: Ecological Economics. 239, 9 p., 108759.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Resilience and regeneration for a world in crisis

    Fischer, J., Farny, S., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Folke, C., 01.2026, In: Ambio. 55, 1, p. 24-34 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    The Role of Individual Beliefs for Corporate Sustainability Transformations

    Buhr, M. & Weissbrod, I., 01.2026, In: Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility. 35, 1, p. 340-366 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Understanding preferences for nature's contributions to people between and within social actors sheds insights for inclusive conservation

    Gross, M., Mwampamba, T. H., Sanya, J., Pearson, J., Sesabo, J. & Martín-López, B., 01.2026, In: People and Nature. 8, 1, p. 65-80 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Accepted/In press

    Assessing the epistemic dimension of people–place relationships for inclusive ecosystem governance

    Hakkarainen, V., Soini, K. & Raymond, C. M., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: People and Nature.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Accepted/In press
  24. Accepted/In press

    Education for sustainable lifestyles: a powerful tool for what and for whom?

    Grauer, C., Solbakken, I., Fischer, D. & Didham, R. J., 2026, (Accepted/In press) Handbook of Research on Sustainable Lifestyles. Cohen, M. J., McGreevy, S., Lorek, S., Lambino, R. & Bengtsson, M. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Social perceptions of carnivores across the globe – a literature review

    Newsom, A., Lozano, J. & Martín-López, B., 2026, In: Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 31, 1, p. 97-120 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. 2025
  27. Published

    Erratum: Author Correction: The role of self-care and self-compassion in networks of resilience and stress among healthcare professionals (Scientific reports (2025) 15 1 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01111-1.)

    Pank, C., von Boros, L., Lieb, K., Dalkner, N., Egger-Lampl, S., Lehr, D., Schäfer, S. K., Tüscher, O. & Wessa, M., 30.12.2025, In: Scientific Reports. 15, 1, p. 45737 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  28. Published

    Assessments of life cycle and biodegradation properties uncovered distinct profiles of pharmaceutical excipients guiding selection for drug formulations

    Bading, M., Griffing, E., Olsson, O., Harris, J., Scher, J., Sakurai, A., Overcash, M. & Kümmerer, K., 28.12.2025, In: Green Chemistry . 27, 48, p. 15568-15581 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Measuring environmental (in)justices: Insights from a systematic literature review on methodological approaches

    Loos, J., Gohr, C., Zafra-Calvo, N., Cortés-Capano, G., Tonninger, A. L. & von Wehrden, H., 19.12.2025, In: iScience. 28, 12, 18 p., 113889.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Networks of influence: Linking capitals and agency to understand actors' roles in sustainability interventions

    Rolfer, L., Isaac, R., Lopez-Rodriguez, M. D., Martin-Lopez, B., Celliers, L. & Krause, G., 19.12.2025, In: One Earth. 8, 12, 13 p., 101495.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. E-pub ahead of print

    Safe and Sustainable-by-Design under The European Green Deal - Regulatory Readiness or Pressure for Companies?

    Sudheshwar, A., Apel, C., Kümmerer, K., Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., Scheper, J. K., Falk, A., Batel, A., Markard, J., Som, C., Wang, Z. & Nowack, B., 13.12.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    New rationalities, inner logic, and hope for sustainable future coasts

    Celliers, L., Ferse, S., Bruns, A., Eisenack, K., Hornidge, A. K., Klepp, S., Lahl, R., Neumann, B., Riechers, M., Bogusz, T., Fuchs, N., Gee, K., Hampton, S., Hinkel, J., Kny, J., Kriegl, M., Krönert, T., Costa, M. M., Otto, L., Pfaff, M. & Rölfer, L., 11.12.2025, In: Global Sustainability. 9, e2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Eco-morphological changes and potential salmon habitat suitability since pre-industrial times in the Mulde River system (Germany)

    Offermann, M., Hein, M., Hegemann, R., Gödecke, K., Hegner, L., Henke, Y., Schäfer, N., Shelukhina, H., Liebscher, E., Opel, S., Rabiger-Völlmer, J., Werther, L. & Zielhofer, C., 05.12.2025, In: E and G Quaternary Science Journal. 74, 2, p. 325-354 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. E-pub ahead of print

    What the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) should adopt from Bland–Altman analyses

    Warneke, K., Siegel, S. D., Afonso, J. & Wallot, S., 05.12.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research . 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  35. Published

    Aarhus-Konvention unter Druck: UK und EU stellen den Compliance-Mechanismus in Frage

    Bertram, A., 04.12.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  36. Published

    Disentangling the influence of environmental conditions on sex determination in haplodiploid organisms

    Wittmann, K., Klein, A. M., Pichler, M. & Staab, M., 03.12.2025, In: Journal of Animal Ecology. 94, 12, p. 2584-2596 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. E-pub ahead of print

    Leugnung des Existenzrechts Israels: Zur Verfassungsmäßigkeit einer potenziellen Verschärfung des § 130 StGB

    Schatz, V. J., Bertram, A. & Bartmann, E., 01.12.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Recht und Politik. p. 1-11

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  38. Published

    A critical analysis of the policy potential for sustainable agriculture in India

    Chauhan, N. & von Wehrden, H., 12.2025, In: Discover Sustainability. 6, 1, 13 p., 233.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  39. Published

    Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long-term trends, and data gaps

    Author collaboration of "Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long-term trends, and data gaps", Seebens, H., Meyerson, L. A., Richardson, D. M., Lenzner, B., Tricarico, E., Courchamp, F. & Haider, S., 12.2025, In: Biological Reviews. 100, 6, p. 2542-2583 42 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Climate impact perceptions and associations with reported behaviors and policy support in three countries

    Frings, N. L., Nielsen, K. S., Rahmani Azad, Z. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 12.2025, In: Journal of Environmental Psychology. 108, 13 p., 102841.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Environmental justice gaps in human-wildlife conflict research from a social-ecological systems perspective

    Alba-Patiño, D., Martín-López, B., Delibes-Mateos, M., Requena-Mullor, J. M. & Castro, A. J., 12.2025, In: Biological Conservation. 312, 11 p., 111515.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  42. Published

    Five Frontiers for Science and Practice of Ecosystem Restoration in East African Forest Landscapes

    Duguma, D. W., Löhr, K., Temperton, V. M., Apollinaire, W., Baumann, M., Kaplin, B. A., Nyiramvuyekure, V., Vögele, S., Kmoch, L., Plieninger, T., Loos, J., Aime, T., Beatrice, N., Bohn, S., Ernest, U., Frietsch, M., Gatali, C., Innocent, N., Kangondo, A., Franklin, B., Maniraho, L., Martín-López, B., Mukaneza, D., Ndagijimana, V., Ndayizeye, G., Nizeyimana, M., Nyandwi, E., Nzibaza, V., Sieber, S., Sun, P., Ullman, J. L., Umuziranenge, G., Wollni, M. & Fischer, J., 12.2025, In: Integrative Conservation. 4, 4, p. 534-545 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Forb diversity globally is harmed by nutrient enrichment but can be rescued by large mammalian herbivory

    Nelson, R. A., Sullivan, L. L., Hersch-Green, E. I., Seabloom, E. W., Borer, E. T., Tognetti, P. M., Adler, P. B., Biederman, L., Bugalho, M. N., Caldeira, M. C., Cancela, J. P., Carvalheiro, L. G., Catford, J. A., Dickman, C. R., Dolezal, A. J., Donohue, I., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Elgersma, K. J., Eskelinen, A., Estrada, C., Garbowski, M., Graff, P., Gruner, D. S., Hagenah, N., Haider, S., Harpole, W. S., Hautier, Y., Jentsch, A., Johanson, N., Koerner, S. E., Lannes, L. S., MacDougall, A. S., Martinson, H., Morgan, J. W., Olde Venterink, H., Orr, D., Osborne, B. B., Peri, P. L., Power, S. A., Raynaud, X., Risch, A. C., Shrestha, M., Smith, N. G., Stevens, C. J., Veen, G. F. C., Virtanen, R., Wardle, G. M., Wolf, A. A., Young, A. L. & Harrison, S. P., 12.2025, In: Communications Biology. 8, 1, 10 p., 444.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    From consumers to pioneers: insights from thermal energy communities in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands

    Herreras Martínez, S., Mesman, J., Sneum, D. M., Holstenkamp, L., Harmsen, R., Menkveld, M., Akerboom, S. & Faaij, A., 12.2025, In: Energy, Sustainability and Society. 15, 1, 31 p., 5.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    How methods influence nature's values we find – A comparison of three elicitation methods

    Kuhn, L., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. Á., Riechers, M., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 12.2025, In: Ecological Economics. 238, 11 p., 108721.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    How the phrasing of climate change terminology impacts people’s understanding and their intention to behave sustainably

    Reinsberg, F., Wallot, S., Loschelder, D. & Genschow, O., 12.2025, In: Climatic Change. 178, 12, 18 p., 237.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Intraspecific and intraindividual trait variability decrease with tree richness in a subtropical tree biodiversity experiment

    Castro Sánchez-Bermejo, P., Carmona, C. P., Schuman, M. C., Benavides, R., Sachsenmaier, L., Li, S., Liu, X. & Haider, S., 12.2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 1, 15 p., 11009.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

    Detjen, L., Schröder, S., Schwenck, M., Summa, J., Schreiber, J. & von Wehrden, H., 12.2025, In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 15, 4, p. 773-787 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Local nutrient addition drives plant diversity losses but not biotic homogenization in global grasslands

    Chen, Q., Blowes, S. A., Harpole, W. S., Ladouceur, E., Borer, E. T., MacDougall, A., Martina, J. P., Bakker, J. D., Tognetti, P. M., Seabloom, E. W., Daleo, P., Power, S., Roscher, C., Adler, P. B., Donohue, I., Wheeler, G., Stevens, C., Veen, G. F. C., Risch, A. C., Wardle, G. M., Hautier, Y., Estrada, C., Hersch-Green, E., Niu, Y., Peri, P. L., Eskelinen, A., Gruner, D. S., Olde Venterink, H., D’Antonio, C., Cadotte, M. W., Haider, S., Eisenhauer, N., Catford, J., Virtanen, R., Morgan, J. W., Tedder, M., Bagchi, S., Caldeira, M. C., Bugalho, M. N., Knops, J. M. H., Dickman, C. R., Hagenah, N., Jentsch, A., Macek, P., Osborne, B. B., Laanisto, L. & Chase, J. M., 12.2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 1, 8 p., 4903.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Long-term heterotrophic cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria at technical scale under non-sterile conditions

    Pleissner, D., Händel, N., Schönfelder, S., Petrusan, J. I., Queiroz Silva, B., Schröder, J., Müller, J., Cowan, K. & Smetana, S., 12.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry One World. 8, 8 p., 100116.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Managing Organizations in the Natural Environment: Envisaging New Research Journeys

    Halme, M. & Schaltegger, S., 12.2025, In: Organization and Environment. 38, 4, p. 475-480 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  52. Published

    Marine biodiversity change impacts relational values: expert survey shows policy mismatch

    Dajka, J. C., Levi, S., Verstraeten, A. M., Menendez, V. A., Smith, M., Snow, B., Vargas-Fonseca, O. A. & Hillebrand, H., 12.2025, In: NPJ Ocean Sustainability. 4, 1, 8 p., 42.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ...144 Next