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

    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

  3. Accepted/In press
  4. 2025
  5. Published

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

    Bertram, A., 04.12.2025

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  6. 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

  7. 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 articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Published

    More-than-human synchronizations expose the fractures of the agrarian commodity frontier in the Bolivian Chiquitanía

    Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Keleman-Saxena, A., Benavides-Frías, C., Díaz-Reviriego, I. & Hanspach, J., 12.2025, In: Journal of Rural Studies. 120, 12 p., 103846.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Older people care increases the gender gap in academia

    Vidal-Abarca, M. R., Martín-López, B., Sala-Bubaré, A., Anton-Pardo, M., Catalan, N., Freixa, A., Lupon, A., Nicolás-Ruiz, N., Poblador, S., Rodríguez-Lozano, P., Sánchez-Montoya, M. D. M. & Suárez, M. L., 12.2025, In: Scientific Reports. 15, 1, 10 p., 33336.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Plant traits and associated ecological data from global change experiments and climate gradients in Norway

    Vandvik, V., Halbritter, A. H., Macias-Fauria, M., Maitner, B. S., Michaletz, S. T., Telford, R. J., Bison, N., Chacon-Labella, J., Cotner, S., Egelkraut, D., Garen, J., Gaudard, J., Geange, S. R., Rosati, M. A., Andersen, E. A. S., Ahler, S. J., Atkinson, J., Baumane, M., Bradler, P. M., Dawson, H. R., Eckberg, J., Elsy, A. D., Erkelenz, J., Eshelman, S. E., Guclu, C., Gullvåg, R., Gya, R., Hartford, S., Hayden, M. T., Holle, M. J. M., Kullberg, A. T., Lepley, K., Correia, M., Löwenstein, C. E., Maré, C., Mauki, D., Navarro, J., Oberholzer, B., Olivier, B., Olson, A. N., Ray, C. A., von Oppen, J., Vorstenbosch, T., Wang, J. A. & Enquist, B. J., 12.2025, In: Scientific data. 12, 1, 24 p., 1477.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    The role of self-care and self-compassion in networks of resilience and stress among healthcare professionals

    Pank, C., von Boros, L., Lieb, K., Dalkner, N., Egger-Lampl, S., Lehr, D., Schäfer, S. K., Tüscher, O. & Wessa, M., 12.2025, In: Scientific Reports. 15, 1, 18545.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Unveiling local knowledge: a case study on inner development and sustainable transformation in rural areas

    Schwenck, C., Pfendtner-Heise, J. & von Wehrden, H., 12.2025, In: Discover Sustainability. 6, 1, 24 p., 225.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Variation in wood density across South American tropical forests

    Author Collaboration für "Variation in wood density across South American tropical forests", Sullivan, M. J. P., Phillips, O. L., Galbraith, D., Almeida, E., de Oliveira, E. A., Almeida, J. & Klipel, J., 12.2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 1, 12 p., 2351.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Resilience and regeneration for a world in crisis

    Fischer, J., Farny, S., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Folke, C., 25.11.2025, In: Ambio. 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Effectiveness of a gratitude app at reducing repetitive negative thinking as a transdiagnostic risk factor in the general population: Results from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

    Kalon, L. S., Freund, H., Rinn, A., Watkins, P. C., Zarski, A. C. & Lehr, D., 15.11.2025, In: Journal of Affective Disorders. 389, 11 p., 119664.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Habitat and land-use intensity shape moth community structure across temperate forest and grassland

    Achury, R., Staab, M., Seibold, S., Müller, J., Heidrich, L., Püls, M., Hacker, H., Fonseca, C. R., Fischer, M., Blüthgen, N. & Weisser, W., 05.11.2025, In: Journal of Animal Ecology. 94, 11, p. 2308-2321 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. E-pub ahead of print

    Knowledge Cumulation in Environmental Governance Research

    Rose, M., Newig, J. & Leipold, S., 04.11.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Environmental Policy and Governance. p. 1-8 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Investigation of the spray formation of solketal under diesel engine conditions and the influence on Diesel R33.

    Türck, J., Riess, S., Strauß, L., Schmitt, F., Türck, R., Ruck, W., Wensing, M. & Krahl, J., 01.11.2025, In: Fuel Processing Technology. 277, 11 p., 108308.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Cascading effects of tree diversity loss on herbivore-parasitoid interactions

    Wang, M. Q., Zhang, K., Albert, G., Haider, S., Li, Y., Chen, J. T., Davrinche, A., Zhou, Q. S., Luo, A., Proß, T., Ma, K., Bruelheide, H., Liu, X., Zhu, C. D. & Schuldt, A., 11.2025, In: Biological Conservation. 311, 10 p., 111418.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Experimental reduction of land use increases invertebrate abundance in grasslands

    Staab, M., Keller, A., Achury, R., Hilpert, A., Hölzel, N., Prati, D., Weisser, W. W. & Blüthgen, N., 11.2025, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 88, p. 62-71 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    (Re-)learning time use and perception for sustainable development in schools – Qualitative results from a self-inquiry-based learning intervention

    Frank, P., Grauer, C. & Fischer, D., 11.2025, In: Time & Society. 34, 4, p. 589-626 38 p., 0961463X251343830.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    The forest beyond the trees: A network perspective on governing co-production of nature’s contributions to people

    Isaac, R., Cumming, G. S., Felipe-Lucia, M. R. & Martín-López, B., 11.2025, In: Ambio. 54, 11, p. 1835-1851 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published
  33. E-pub ahead of print

    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., 16.10.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Integrative Conservation. 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. E-pub ahead of print

    Revisiting Ego Depletion: Evidence from Multi-Lab Collaborations

    Dang, J., Xiao, S., Mao, L., Liu, X., Baumert, A., Bonneterre, S., Cai, S., Chen, X., de Chanaleilles, M., Ding, N., Fan, W., Feng, Y., Gao, D., He, X., Huang, W., Ismail, I., Jia, L., Li, H., Li, R., Li, Z., Lim, C., Linke, L., Nie, Y., Qiao, Z., Ren, M., Sevincer, A. T., Tan, J., Wang, Z., Wu, S., Zerhouni, O., Zhong, Y., Zhu, Y., Zinkernagel, A. & Schiöth, H. B., 16.10.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology. 19, 10 p., 18344909251386084.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. E-pub ahead of print

    Losers and winners: responses of grassland arthropods to land-use components

    Hartlieb, M., Staab, M., Berger, J. L., Achury, R., Gossner, M. M., Seibold, S., Weisser, W. W. & Blüthgen, N., 12.10.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Oikos. e11404.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    From Environmentalist to Ecopreneur? Target Groups and Role Models as Key Elements in Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education

    Hörisch, J., Fokuhl, M., Buhr, M. & Dickel, P., 11.10.2025, In: Sustainable Development.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Critical Global Citizenship Education in Practice: What we’ve learned about applications of the Ethical Global Issues Pedagogy Resource

    Benavides Lahnstein, A., Grauer, C. & Pashby, K., 09.10.2025

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  38. E-pub ahead of print

    Context-based science education to promote diversity-equity-inclusion – a systematic literature review on the understanding of context in science education

    Hüfner, S. K., Weirauch, K., List, F., Menthe, J. & Abels, S., 08.10.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Studies in Science Education. 41 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  39. Published

    Enhancing professional development in digital STEM education: cross-disciplinary success factors and barriers

    Lüsse, M., Sowinski, R., Stamer, L.-M., Abels, S. & Brückmann, M., 08.10.2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 18 p., 1653606.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Accepted/In press

    Navigating across individual and deliberative values: A dual Q-method approach to elicit diverse values in grassland restoration

    Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Gray, K., Kuhn, L., Loos, J., Pătru-Dușe, I. A., Riechers, M., Temperton, V. & Martín-López, B., 02.10.2025, (Accepted/In press) In: People and Nature. 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. E-pub ahead of print

    Driesch und Uexküll

    Schmieg, G., 03.2026, Plessner Handbuch: Leben – Werk – Wirkung. Fischer, J. (ed.). J.B. Metzler, 6 p. Kap.II.8

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  42. Published

    Don’t let generative AI shape how we see chemistry

    Moores, A. & Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 10.2025, In: Nature Reviews Chemistry. 9, 10, p. 649-650 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  43. Published

    Exploring biocultural diversity: A systematic analysis and refined classification to inform decisions on conservation and sustainability

    Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Hanspach, J., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Lagies, A. S. & Castro, A. J., 10.2025, In: Ambio. 54, 10, p. 1581-1597 17 p., e517.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  44. Published

    Inconsistent short-term effects of enhanced structural complexity on soil microbial properties across German forests

    Schwarz, R., Eisenhauer, N., Ammer, C., Bradler, P. M., Decker, O., Delory, B. M., Dietrich, P., Fichtner, A., Huang, Y., Lettenmaier, L., Junginger, M., Mitesser, O., Müller, J., von Oheimb, G., Pierick, K., Scherer-Lorenzen, M. & Cesarz, S., 10.2025, In: Applied Soil Ecology. 214, 13 p., 106335.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Management Responses to Climate Change: An Analysis of Scholarly Recommendations

    Imbrogiano, J. P., Schaltegger, S. & Boiral, O., 10.2025, In: Sustainable Development. 33, 5, p. 6680-6692 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  46. Published

    Road Disturbance Shifts Root Fungal Symbiont Types and Reduces the Connectivity of Plant-Fungal Co-Occurrence Networks in Mountains

    Radujković, D., Verbruggen, E., Clavel, J., Pauchard, A., Fuentes-Lillo, E., Barros, A., Aschero, V., Haider, S., Ratier Backes, A., Pergl, J., Vítková, M., Lučanová, A., Nuñez, M. A., Lenoir, J., Nijs, I. & Lembrechts, J. J., 10.2025, In: Molecular Ecology. 34, 20, 15 p., e17771.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Successful water governance pathways across problem contexts: a global qualitative comparative analysis

    Bilalova, S., Jager, N. W., Newig, J. & Villamayor-Tomas, S., 10.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 4, 36 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Uncovering decolonial pedagogies for learning agroecological transitions: comparative analysis of South America cases

    Bonatti, M., Reynaldo, R. G., Martín-López, B., Bolivar, S., Cordero-Fernández, M., Miguel, G. C., Martin, A., Hämmerle, J., Schröter, B., Erismann, C., da Silva Rosa, T., Hellin, J., Schlindwein, I., Osorio, Á. A., Medina, L., Baldivieso, C., Eufemia, L., Jacobi, J., Lobo Guerrero, A. M. & Sieber, S., 10.2025, In: Global Environmental Change. 94, 15 p., 103042.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    It takes two to tango - how teacher-child interactions help advance children’s emotion knowledge

    Hormann, O., Voltmer, K. & von Salisch, M., 25.09.2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 15 p., 1622163.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Expert Consensus Messaging as a Lever Against Vaccination Misinformation

    Kause, A. & Schmid, P., 24.09.2025, In: Collabra: Psychology. 11, 1, 16 p., 143778.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Broadening the Justifications for Inclusive Conservation: Values Associated With Nature's Contributions to People

    Gross, M., von Wehrden, H., Mwampamba, T. H., Sanya, J., Pearson, J., Sesabo, J. K., Riechers, M., Arbieu, U., Böhning-Gaese, K. & Martín-López, B., 01.09.2025, In: Conservation Letters. 18, 5, 8 p., e13129.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Effects of Warming, Nitrogen and Grazing on Plant Functional Traits Differ Between Alpine and Sub-Alpine Grasslands

    Halbritter, A. H., Atkinson, J., Maré, C., Ahler, S. J., Andersen, E. A. S., Bradler, P. M., Correia, M., Elsy, A., Eshelman, S. E., Geange, S. R., Hayden, M., Mauki, D., Eckberg, J., Erkelenz, J., Guclu, C., Löwenstein, C. E., Maitner, B. S., Baumane, M., Dawson, H. R., Enquist, B., Garen, J. C., Holle, M. J. M., Labella, J. C., Lepley, K., Michaletz, S. T., Olivier, B., Ray, C. A., von Oppen, J., Telford, R. J. & Vandvik, V., 01.09.2025, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 36, 5, 15 p., e70061.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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