School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 anthologies › Special Journal issue › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Generationengerechtigkeit in der Klimapolitik
Kemfert, C., 01.11.2025, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 105, 11, p. 803-807 5 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Zeitliches Existenzminimum: Zur Rekonstruktion des verfassungsrechtlichen Existenzminimums unter Berücksichtigung von Zeit als Voraussetzung menschenwürdiger Existenz
Bertram, A., 11.2025, In: Rechtswissenschaft : Zeitschrift für rechtswissenschaftliche Forschung. 16, 1, p. 69-99 31 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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., 09.10.2025Research output: other publications › Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Transfer
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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.8Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Articles for encyclopedia › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
