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. 2025
  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Published

    Regeneration and sustainable chemistry: Current dynamics, interconnections, and perspectives

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Corrêa Gomes, C. J., 12.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 56, 7 p., 101055.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Testing Camera Trapping to Survey the Ground-Dwelling Bird Assemblage of Two Afromontane Rainforest Fragments in Rwanda

    Sun, P. & Wronski, T., 12.2025, In: African Journal of Ecology. 63, 8, 13 p., e70137.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. 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

  8. Published

    Thinking Beyond the Bargaining Table: Negotiators’ Perceptions, Behaviours and Outcomes in Negotiations Affecting External Parties

    Zhang, K., Zhang, H., Aaldering, H., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 12.2025, In: European Journal of Social Psychology. 55, 7, p. 1152-1170 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Published

    Exploring culture(s) of sustainability at higher education institutions: a systematic review of concepts and pathways

    Holst, J., Fritz, H., Nölting, B., Lang, D. J., Löde, V. L., Ober, S., Parodi, O., Potthast, T., Scheiding, C. T., Weynand, M. & Singer-Brodowski, M., 26.11.2025, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 25, 9, p. 489-506 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. 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

  13. E-pub ahead of print

    Knowledge Cumulation in Environmental Governance Research

    Rose, M. (Editor), Newig, J. (Editor) & Leipold, S. (Editor), 11.11.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) John Wiley & Sons Inc. (Environmental Policy and Governance)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  14. 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

  15. 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 contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  16. Published

    Generationengerechtigkeit in der Klimapolitik

    Kemfert, C., 01.11.2025, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 105, 11, p. 803-807 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Intraspecific Functional Trait Responses to Experimental Warming Vary With Precipitation and Growth Form

    Erkelenz, J., Geange, S. R., Atkinson, J., Anderson, E., Correia, M., Ahler, S. J., Bradler, P., Löwenstein, C. E., Elsy, A., Maré, C., Eshelman, S., Mauki, D., Guclu, C., Eckberg, J., Maitner, B., Gya, R., Töpper, J., Klanderud, K., Enquist, B. J., Michaletz, S. T., Ray, C. A., von Oppen, J., Cubino, J. P., Halbritter, A. H. & Vandvik, V., 01.11.2025, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 36, 6, 14 p., e70098.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. 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

  19. Published

    Rewilding in Europe: A Systematic Characterization and Classification of 89 Rewilding Projects

    Zoderer, B. M., Busse von Colbe, J. & Loos, J., 01.11.2025, In: Conservation Letters. 18, 6, 13 p., e13157.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  20. Published

    Author Correction: Artificial intelligence in sustainable development research (Nature Sustainability, (2025), 8, 8, (970-978), 10.1038/s41893-025-01598-6)

    Gohr, C., Rodríguez Aboytes, J. G., Belomestnykh, S., Berg-Moelleken, D., Chauhan, N., Engler, J. O., Heydebreck, L. V., Hintz, M. J., Kretschmer, M.-F., Krügermeier, C., Meinberg, J., Rau, A.-L., Schwenck, C., Aoulkadi, I., Poll, S., Frank, E., Creutzig, F., Lemke, O., Maushart, M., Pfendtner-Heise, J., Rathgens, J. & von Wehrden, H., 11.2025, In: Nature Sustainability. 8, 11, p. 1408 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  21. 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

  22. Published

    ‘Chains of leverage’ as way to identify and foster transformative potential

    Riechers, M., Schaal-Lagodzinski, T., Pereira, L., Loos, J. & Fischer, J., 11.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 11, p. 2731-2742 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. 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

  24. Published

    Hydro-Functional Traits and Their Dissimilarity to the Neighbourhood Buffer Tree Growth Against the 2018–2020 Central European Drought

    Sachsenmaier, L., Schnabel, F., Tezeh, F. R., Castro Sánchez-Bermejo, P., Eisenhauer, N., Ferlian, O., Haider, S., Richter, R., Paligi, S. S., Schuldt, B. & Wirth, C., 11.2025, In: Global Change Biology. 31, 11, 19 p., e70588.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Nonsterile Lactic Acid Production from Pulse Husks

    Krenz, L. M. M. & Pleissner, D., 11.2025, In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 16, 11, p. 6247-6256 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. Published

    The tree growth–herbivory relationship depends on functional traits across forest biodiversity experiments

    Li, Y., Schuldt, A., Bauhus, J., Belluau, M., Berthelot, S., Burghardt, K. T., Bruelheide, H., Castagneyrol, B., Chu, C., Eisenhauer, N., Ferlian, O., Fründ, J., Gebauer, T., Gravel, D., Jactel, H., Li, S., Liang, Y., Parker, J. D., Parker, W. C., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Staab, M., Verheyen, K., Schmid, B., Ma, K. & Liu, X., 11.2025, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 9, 11, p. 2014-2024 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Widespread Decline of Ground Beetles in Germany

    Chowdhury, S., Bowler, D. E., Boutaud, E., Bleich, O., Bruelheide, H., Buse, J., Engel, T., Gebert, J., Grescho, V., Gürlich, S., Harry, I., Jansen, F., Klenke, R. A., van Klink, R., Winter, M. & Bonn, A., 11.2025, In: Diversity and Distributions. 31, 11, 11 p., e70112.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published
  31. 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

  32. Published

    Policy principles for sustainable and just land systems

    Garrett, R., Meyfroidt, P., de Bremond, A., Wartenberg, A., Barbieri, L., Fernández-Llamazares, Á., Acheampong, E., Addoah, T., Adeleye, M., Alexander, P., Brandão, J., Coomes, D. A., Ellis, E. C., Fajardo, J., Jacobi, J., Leach, M., Lele, S., Zonta, A. L., Lyons-White, J., Martin, A., Messerli, P., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Müller, D., Mills, M., Kalunda, P. N., Pascual, U., Rueda, X., Ryan, C., Setty, S., Pham, T. T. & Zagaria, C., 15.10.2025, In: Royal Society Open Science. 12, 10, 22 p., 250810.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. 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. 13 p., e11404.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. E-pub ahead of print

    A multi-layered values-based approach to advance social-ecological restoration: Insights from real-world laboratories in Germany

    Gray, K., Loos, J., Martín-López, B., Riechers, M., Kirmer, A. & Cebrián-Piqueras, M., 11.10.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Ambio. 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. 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. 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. Published

    Metrics are the key: development of criteria and indicators for measuring sustainability in international chemicals management

    Blum, C. T. F., Zeschmar-Lahl, B., Heidbüchel, E., Stolzenberg, H.-C., Kümmerer, K., Becker, A. & Friege, H., 01.10.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 10, p. 4724-4745 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Atmospheric oxidation of dimethylsiloxanes, a source of Si=O double bonds?

    Rücker, C., Troegel, D. & Kümmerer, K., 10.2025, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 32, 46, p. 26611-26628 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. 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

  44. 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

  45. Published

    Global Homogenisation of Plant Communities Along Mountain Roads by Non-Native Species Despite Mixed Effects at Smaller Scales

    Buhaly, M., Alexander, J. M., Pauchard, A., Rew, L. J., Seipel, T., Arévalo, J. R., Aschero, V., Averett, J. P., Barros, A., Cavieres, L. A., Clark, V. R., Daehler, C. C., Dar, P. A., Fuentes-Lillo, E., Gwate, O., Jentsch, A., Kutlvašr, J., Larson, C., Lembrechts, J. J., McDougall, K., Nuñez, M. A., Rashid, I., Ratier Backes, A., Reshi, Z. A., Schweiger, A. H., Van Meerbeek, K., Visser, V., Vítková, M., Vorstenbosch, T., Wolff, P., Zong, S. & Haider, S., 10.2025, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 34, 10, 12 p., e70137.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. 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

  47. 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

  48. Published

    Now you see me, now you don’t: the role and relevance of paradigms in water governance

    Bilalova, S., Valin, N., Burchard-Levine, A. F., Gerlak, A. K., Huitema, D., Jager, N. W., Geagea, D. H., Koehler, J. K. L., Newig, J., Singh, R., Porada, H. & Ros, J. R., 10.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 4, 17 p., 11.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. 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

  50. 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

  51. 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

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