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. 2023
  2. Published

    Wer gewinnt? Steigendes (DNP-)Anspruchsniveau an das Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

    Schaltegger, S., 28.03.2023, Das Nachhaltigkeitsbuch 2023. Schulze-Hausmann, S. & Bachmann, G. (eds.). Düsseldorf: Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V., p. 48-49 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherTransfer

  3. Published

    Debating accounting and sustainability: from incompatibility to rapprochement in the pursuit of corporate sustainability

    Baker, M., Gray, R. & Schaltegger, S., 27.03.2023, In: Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal. 36, 2, p. 591-619 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung

    Lehr, D. & Boß, L., 24.03.2023, Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen: Anwendungen in Therapie und Prävention. Ebert, D. D. & Baumeister, H. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 385-419 35 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  5. Published

    Schlafstörungen

    Lehr, D., Spiegelhalder, K. & Ebert, D. D., 24.03.2023, Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen: Anwendungen in Therapie und Prävention. Ebert, D. D. & Baumeister, H. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 117-130 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  6. Published

    Stressbewältigung

    Lehr, D., Heber, E., Ebert, D. D., Fraunhofer, L. & Großmann, I., 24.03.2023, Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen: Anwendungen in Therapie und Prävention. Ebert, D. D. & Baumeister, H. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 227-246 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  7. Published

    Sustainable digitalization – fostering the twin transformation in a transdisciplinary way

    Barth, M., Gossen, M., Lang, D. J. & Santarius, T., 13.03.2023, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 32, Sp1, p. 6-9 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Be(coming) an Ambassador of Transformative Change from the Inside Out

    Konrad, T., 11.03.2023, Educating the Sustainability Leaders of the Future. Filho, W. L., Salvia, A. L., Pallant, E., Choate, B. & Pearce, K. (eds.). Cham: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 75-93 19 p. (World Sustainability Series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  9. Published

    Governing landscapes: An agenda for the assessment of grasslands and savannahs

    Eufemia, L., Wawrzynowicz, I., Bonatti, M., Partelow, S., Fischer, J. & Sieber, S., 09.03.2023, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management. 2, 7 p., 1134393.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Chronological and sedimentological investigations of the Late Pleistocene succession in Osterbylund (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

    Thiel, C., Kenzler, M., Stephan, H.-J., Frechen, M., Urban, B. & Sierralta, M., 06.03.2023, In: E&G Quaternary Science Journal. 72, 1, p. 57-72 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Sustainable development through aesthetic expertise? Results and reflection of an experimental case study on arts-science policy intervention.

    Heinrichs, H. & Hoernemann, D., 06.03.2023, In: Visions for Sustainability. 19, p. 125-151 27 p., 7311.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  12. Published

    A kinetic study of the photolysis of sulfamethoxazole with special emphasis on the photoisomer

    Palm, W. U., Schmidt, N., Stahn, M. & Grimme, S., 01.03.2023, In: Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. 22, 3, p. 615-630 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    An environmental justice perspective on ecosystem services

    Loos, J., Benra, F., Berbés-Blázquez, M., Bremer, L. L., Chan, K. M. A., Egoh, B., Felipe-Lucia, M., Geneletti, D., Keeler, B., Locatelli, B., Loft, L., Schröter, B., Schröter, M. & Winkler, K. J., 01.03.2023, In: Ambio. 52, 3, p. 477-488 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Linking Tourism and Conservation on Privately Owned Natural Areas: A Systematic Review of English-Language Literature

    Müller, N., Rathgens, J., Fletcher, R. & Hilser, S., 01.03.2023, In: Society and Natural Resources. 36, 3, p. 306-325 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Meat substitutes: Resource demands and environmental footprints

    Smetana, S., Ristic, D., Pleissner, D., Tuomisto, H. L., Parniakov, O. & Heinz, V., 01.03.2023, In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 190, 12 p., 106831.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    The traditional ecological knowledge conundrum

    Hartel, T., Fischer, J., Shumi, G. & Apollinaire, W., 01.03.2023, In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 38, 3, p. 211-214 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  17. Published

    Enhancing the structural diversity between forest patches — A concept and real-world experiment to study biodiversity, multifunctionality and forest resilience across spatial scales

    Müller, J., Mitesser, O., Cadotte, M. W., van der Plas, F., Mori, A., Ammer, C., Chao, A., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Baldrian, P., Bässler, C., Biedermann, P., Cesarz, S., Claßen, A., Delory, B. M., Feldhaar, H., Fichtner, A., Hothorn, T., Kuenzer, C., Peters, M. K., Pierick, K., Schmitt, T., Schuldt, B., Seidel, D., Six, D., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Thorn, S., von Oheimb, G., Wegmann, M., Weisser, W. W. & Eisenhauer, N., 03.2023, In: Global Change Biology. 29, 6, p. 1437-1450 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Rent Control, Market Segmentation, and Misallocation: Causal Evidence from a Large-Scale Policy Intervention

    Mense, A., Michelsen, C. & Kholodilin, K. A., 03.2023, In: Journal of Urban Economics. 134, 22 p., 103513.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Reply to: Plant traits alone are good predictors of ecosystem properties when used carefully

    van der Plas, F., Schröder-Georgi, T., Weigelt, A., Barry, K., Meyer, S., Alzate, A., Barnard, R. L., Buchmann, N., de Kroon, H., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Engels, C., Fischer, M., Gleixner, G., Hildebrandt, A., Koller-France, E., Leimer, S., Milcu, A., Mommer, L., Niklaus, P. A., Oelmann, Y., Roscher, C., Scherber, C., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Scheu, S., Schmid, B., Schulze, E. D., Temperton, V., Tscharntke, T., Voigt, W., Weisser, W., Wilcke, W. & Wirth, C., 03.2023, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 7, 3, p. 335-336 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  20. Published

    The 'need for speed': Towards circular disruption-What it is, how to make it happen and how to know it's happening

    Blomsma, F., Bauwens, T., Weissbrod, I. & Kirchherr, J., 03.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 3, p. 1010-1031 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Transformation gezielt kommunizieren: Kurzgutachten

    Hartmann, E., Heinrichs, H. & Herzhoff, G., 03.2023, Institut für Nachhaltigkeitssteuerung (INSUGO), 11 p. (Schriftenreihe Nachhaltigkeit, Politik, Gesellschaft; no. 3).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  22. Published

    Triggering root system plasticity in a changing environment with bacterial bioinoculants – Focus on plant P nutrition

    Baudson, C., Delory, B. M., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 03.2023, In: Plant and Soil. 484, 1-2, p. 49-63 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Social capital strengthens agency among fish farmers: Small scale aquaculture in Bulacan, Philippines

    Manlosa, A. O., Albrecht, J. & Riechers, M., 21.02.2023, In: Frontiers in Aquaculture. 2, 14 p., 1106416.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  24. Published

    Maximal strength measurement: A critical evaluation of common methods—a narrative review

    Warneke, K., Wagner, C. M., Keiner, M., Hillebrecht, M., Schiemann, S., Behm, D. G., Wallot, S. & Wirth, K., 17.02.2023, In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 5, 11 p., 1105201.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  25. Published

    “What is a ‘very severe cyclone’ please”? Uncovering knowledge and communication gaps in climate resilience realities

    Ghosh, A., Sen, A. & Frietsch, M., 15.02.2023, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 86, 17 p., 103499.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Increasing the accuracy and efficiency of wildlife census with unmanned aerial vehicles: a simulation study

    Fust, P. & Loos, J., 09.02.2023, In: Wildlife Research. 50, 12, p. 1008-1020 13 p., WR22074.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  27. Published

    Activating an Integrative Mindset Improves the Subjective Outcomes of Value-Driven Conflicts

    Schuster, C., Harinck, F. & Trötschel, R., 01.02.2023, In: Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 16, 1, p. 80-99 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Can rare arable plants benefit biological pest control potential of cereal aphids in croplands?

    Twerski, A., Albrecht, H., Gallé, R., Sauter, F., Császár, P. & Fischer, C., 01.02.2023, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 66, p. 40-49 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Ecological quality as a coffee quality enhancer. A review

    Torrez, V., Benavides-Frias, C., Jacobi, J. & Speranza, C. I., 01.02.2023, In: Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 43, 1, 34 p., 19.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  30. Published

    I enjoy hurting my classmates: On the relation of boredom and sadism in schools

    Pfattheicher, S., Lazarević, L. B., Nielsen, Y. A., Westgate, E. C., Krstić, K. & Schindler, S., 01.02.2023, In: Journal of School Psychology. 96, p. 41-56 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    What is the ‘problem’ of gender inequality represented to be in the Swedish forest sector?

    Ville, A., Wong, G., Aceituno, A. J., Downing, A., Karambiri, M. & Brockhaus, M., 01.02.2023, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 140, p. 46-55 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    When is green nudging ethically permissible?

    Tyler DesRoches, C., Fischer, D., Silver, J., Arthur, P., Livernois, R., Crichlow, T., Hersch, G., Nagatsu, M. & Abbott, J. K., 01.02.2023, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 60, 9 p., 101236.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Collaborative governance or state regulation? Endless efforts but little capacity for sustainability transformation of the German textile sector

    Beyers, F., Leventon, J. & Heinrichs, H., 02.2023, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 33, 1, p. 56-77 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Indigenous and local knowledge in biocultural approaches to sustainability: a review of the literature in Spanish

    Burke, L., Díaz Reviriego, I., Lam, D. & Hanspach, J., 02.2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 15 p., 2157490.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    L'université orientée vers le soin de la richesse et les mères chercheuses durant la pandémie du Covid-19

    Sander, A. & Grauer, C., 02.2023, In: Revue Philosophique de Louvain. 120, 1, p. 41-60 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Managing entrepreneurial and corporate contributions to sustainability transitions

    Schaltegger, S., Loorbach, D. & Hörisch, J., 02.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 2, p. 891-902 12 p.

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

  37. Published
  38. Published

    Transformation of Seafood Side-Streams and Residuals into Valuable Products

    Siddiqui, S. A., Schulte, H., Pleissner, D., Schönfelder, S., Kvangarsnes, K., Dauksas, E., Rustad, T., Cropotova, J., Heinz, V. & Smetana, S., 16.01.2023, In: Foods. 12, 2, 25 p., 422.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  39. Published

    Sustainability impact assessment of new ventures: An emerging field of research

    Fichter, K., Lüdeke-Freund, F., Schaltegger, S. & Schillebeeckx, S. J. D., 15.01.2023, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 384, 12 p., 135452.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Towards greener and sustainable ionic liquids using naturally occurring and nature-inspired pyridinium structures

    Suk, M. & Kümmerer, K., 07.01.2023, In: Green Chemistry . 25, 1, p. 365-374 10 p., 25.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Funciones agroecológicas de los nichos de agrobiodiversidad en la ruralidad de Bogotá, Colombia

    Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Quiroga Manrique, C., Monroy-Hernández, J. & Pérez, D., 01.01.2023, In: ÍCONOS Revista de Ciencias Sociales. 27, 75, p. 201-224 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit und Weltbeziehung: eine resonanztheoretische Untersuchung

    Gehlen, Y., 01.01.2023, Deutschland: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 274 p. (Umweltsoziologie; vol. 12)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  43. Published

    The role of institutions in food system transformations: lessons learned from transdisciplinary engagements in Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Indonesia

    Manlosa, A. O., Partelow, S., Jiren, T. S., Riechers, M. & Paramita, A. O., 01.01.2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 15 p., 2146753.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Toward a modular evaluation approach of real-world laboratories: Findings from a literature review

    Kampfmann, T., Bernert, P. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2023, In: Research Evaluation. 32, 1, p. 128-143 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Values shift in response to social learning through deliberation about protected areas

    Andrade, R., van Riper, C. J., Goodson, D. J., Johnson, D. N., Stewart, W., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Lo, V. & Raymond, C. M., 01.01.2023, In: Global Environmental Change. 78, 12 p., 102630.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Active First Movers vs. Late Free-Riders? An Empirical Analysis of UN PRI Signatories' Commitment

    Bauckloh, T., Schaltegger, S., Utz, S., Zeile, S. & Zwergel, B., 01.2023, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 182, 3, p. 747-781 35 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Assembly history modulates vertical root distribution in a grassland experiment

    Alonso-Crespo, I. M., Weidlich, E. W. A., Temperton, V. M. & Delory, B. M., 01.2023, In: Oikos. 2023, 1, 13 p., e08886.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Exploring the potential of SMEs to build individual, organizational, and community resilience through sustainability-oriented business practices

    DiBella, J., Forrest, N., Burch, S., Rao-Williams, J., Ninomiya, S. M., Hermelingmeier, V. & Chisholm, K., 01.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 1, p. 721-735 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    „Ben, möchtest du auch abstimmen?“: Partizipationsprozesse in Klassenräten heterogener Lerngruppen aus interaktionistischer Perspektive

    Meyn, J., 2023, Partizipation, Wissen und Kommunikation im sonderpädagogischen Diskurs. Marek, G., Wolfram, K., Christian, L., Vera, O. & Stephan, S. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 118-127 10 p. (Perspektiven sonderpädagogischer Forschung).

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

  50. Published

    Cradle to Cradle im Holzfertigbau: Analyse der Umsetzbarkeit des Cradle–to-Cradle-Prinzips bei Einfamilienhäusern in Holzfertigbauweise

    Lindner, S., 2023, Stuttgart: Fraunhofer IRB Verlag. 307 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  51. Published

    Der neue Lehrplan Chemie für die Sekundarstufe I

    Hofer, E., Lembens, A. & Spitzer, P., 2023, In: Chemie & Schule. 38, 1, p. 20-23 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer