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

    Environmental Management Accounting – Developments Over the Last 20 years from a Framework Perspective

    Burritt, R., Schaltegger, S. & Christ, K. L., 2023, In: Australian Accounting Review. 33, 4, p. 336-351 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Governing the co-production of nature's contributions to people: the road ahead

    Isaac, R., Albrecht, E., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Piquer-Rodríguez, M., Winkler, K. J. & Martín-López, B., 2023, Advances in Ecological Research: Roadmaps: Part B. Bohan, D. A. & Dumbrell, A. J. (eds.). Academic Press Inc., p. 1-15 15 p. (Advances in Ecological Research; vol. 69).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    Healthier and Sustainable Food Systems: Integrating Underutilised Crops in a ‘Theory of Change Approach’

    Pinto, E., Ferreira, H., Santos, C. S., da Silva, M. N., Styles, D., Migliorini, P., Ntatsi, G., Karkanis, A., Brémaud, M.-F., de Mey, Y., Meuwissen, M., Petrusan, J.-I., Smetana, S., Silva, B., Krenz, L. M. M., Pleissner, D., Profeta, A., Debeljak, M., Ivanovska, A., Balázs, B., Rubiales, D., Hawes, C., Iannetta, P. P. M. & Vasconcelos, M. W., 2023, Biodiversity, Functional Ecosystems and Sustainable Food Production. Galanakis, C. M. (ed.). Springer Schweiz, p. 275-323 49 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  5. Published

    Klaus Dierßen (1948-2022) Obituary

    Härdtle, W. & Schrautzer, J., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 43, p. 357-373 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Kommentar zum Fachlehrplan Chemie (Mittelschule/AHS Unterstufe)

    Hofer, E., Lembens, A. & Müller, A., 2023, Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (Österreich).

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  7. Published

    Konzept eines Orientierungsrahmens für den Lernbereich Globale Entwicklung im Fach Informatik im Rahmen der Bildung fur Nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Anthes, J., Diethelm, I., Kern, E., Röhner, G. & Stechert, P., 2023, Informatikunterricht zwischen Aktualitat und Zeitlosigkeit, INFOS 2023, 20. GI-Fachtagung Informatik und Schule. Hellmig, L. & Hennecke, M. (eds.). Bonn: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., p. 383-392 10 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. P-336).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Low-Carbon Energy Transformation in China, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan: An Overview

    Fahimi, A. & Stepputat, K., 2023, Electricity Access, Decarbonization, and Integration of Renewables: Insights and Lessons from the Energy Transformation in Bangladesh, South Asia, and Sub-Sahara Africa. Groh, S., Barner, L., Heinemann, G. & von Hirschhauen, C. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 87-112 26 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  9. Published

    “Nationals” at Forty: From an Undefined UNCLOS Term to Due Diligence Obligations on the State of Nationality to Combat IUU Fishing

    Honniball, A. N. & Schatz, V. J., 2023, In: International Law Studies. 100, p. 229-265

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Neural Networks for Energy Optimization of Production Processes in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

    Willenbacher, M., Wohlgemuth, V. & Risch, L., 2023, Advances and New Trends in Environmental Informatics. Wohlgemuth, V., Naumann, S., Behrens, G., Arndt, H.-K. & Höb, M. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 129-145 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  11. Published

    Perspektiven auf Zeit im Recht: Das bisherige Verständnis von Zeit im Recht und die Notwendigkeit der Betrachtung von Zeit als Ressource

    Bertram, A., 2023, Zeitliche Dimensionen und Kritische Theorie(n) des Rechts: Tagung des Jungen Forums Rechtsphilosophie (JFR) in der internationalen Vereinigung für Rechts- und Sozialphilosophie (IVR) im September 2020 und im Mai 2021 in Braunschweig und Hamburg. Stuttgart, p. 47-59

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  12. Published

    Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2023: Die Strandlingsrasen (Littorelletea uniflorae p.p.)

    Remy, D., Tischew, S., Dierschke, H., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Bergmeier, E., Schneider, S., Horn, K. & Härdtle, W., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 42, p. 321-350 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Plant Community of the Year 2024: Vegetation of wet meadows (Calthion palustris)

    Schneider, S., Bergmeier, E., Boch, S., Ewald, J., Härdtle, W., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Horn, K., Lütt, S., Remy, D., Ruthsatz, B., Schwabe, A., Tischew, S., Becker, T. & Dierschke, H., 2023, In: Tuexenia. 43, p. 277-334 58 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Rebound effects: Management and Prevention. Guideline for Companies

    Wolff, F., Gensch, C.-O., Kampffmeyer, N., Schöpflin, P., Lautermann, C., Gebauer, J., Schaltegger, S., Norris, S., Wüst, S., Thiel, D. & Buda, F., 2023, Öko-Institut.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  15. Published

    Rebound-Effekte: Management und Vermeidung. Leitfaden für Unternehmen

    Wolff, F., Gensch, C.-O., Kampffmeyer, N., Schöpflin, P., Lautermann, C., Gebauer, J., Schaltegger, S., Norris, S., Wüst, S., Thiel, D. & Buda, F., 2023, Öko-Institut.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  16. Published

    Schöningen: a reference site for the Middle Pleistocene

    Serangeli, J., Verheijen, I., Rodríguez-Álvarez, B., Altamura, F., Bigga, G., Schoch, W. H., Urban, B., van Kolfschoten, T., Venditti, F. & Conard, N. J., 2023, In: Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences. 15, p. 369-387 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Science on ecosystems and people to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

    Schröter, M., Berbés-Blázquez, M., Albert, C., Hill, R., Krause, T., Loos, J., Mannetti, L. M., Martín-López, B., Neelakantan, A., Parrotta, J. A., Quintas-Soriano, C., Abson, D. J., Alkemade, R., Amelung, B., Baptiste, B., Barrios, E., Djoudi, H., Drakou, E. G., Durance, I., García Llorente, M., Geneletti, D., Harmáčková, Z. V., Jacobs, S., Kaiser, N. N., Kingsley, J., Klain, S., Martínez-Harms, M. J., Murali, R., O’Farrell, P., Pandit, R., Pereira, L., Rana, S., Riechers, M., Rusch, G. M., Sala, J. E., Schulp, C. J. E., Sitas, N., Subramanian, S. M., Villasante, S. & van Oudenhoven, A., 2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 10 p., 2220913.

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

  18. Published

    The Settlement of EEZ Fisheries Access Disputes under UNCLOS: Limitations to Jurisdiction and Compulsory Conciliation

    Schatz, V. J., 2023, In: Goettingen Journal of International Law. 13, 1, p. 82-118 37 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Virtual Voting in RFMOs: A Procedural Odyssey at the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

    Schatz, V. & Perraudeau, M., 2023, In: International Organizations Law Review. 20, 3, p. 305-329 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    What factors enable social-ecological transformative potential? The role of learning practices, empowerment, and networking

    Tuckey, A. J., Harmáčková, Z. V., Peterson, G. D., Norström, A. V., Moore, M.-L., Olsson, P., Lam, D. & Jimenez-Aceituno, A., 2023, In: Ecology and Society. 28, 2, 20 p., 27.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Wirtschaftsvölkerrechtlicher Rahmen

    Bäumler, J., 2023, Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtenrecht: LkSG, GwB, EU-HolzhandelsVO, EU-KonfliktmineralienVO, BetrVG, WRegG, CSR-RL-UmsG. Kaltenborn, M., Krajewski, M., Rühl, G. & Saage-Maaß, M. (eds.). München: C.H. Beck Verlag, p. 34-44 20 p. (Beck'sche Kurz-Kommentare).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  22. 2022
  23. Published

    The programme on ecosystem change and society (PECS) – a decade of deepening social-ecological research through a place-based focus

    Norström, A. V., Agarwal, B., Balvanera, P., Baptiste, B., Bennett, E. M., Brondízio, E., Biggs, R., Campbell, B., Carpenter, S. R., Castilla, J. C., Castro, A. J., Cramer, W., Cumming, G. S., Felipe-Lucia, M., Fischer, J., Folke, C., DeFries, R., Gelcich, S., Groth, J., Ifejika Speranza, C., Jacobs, S., Hofmann, J., Hughes, T. P., Lam, D. P. M., Loos, J., Manyani, A., Martín-López, B., Meacham, M., Moersberger, H., Nagendra, H., Pereira, L., Polasky, S., Schoon, M., Schultz, L., Selomane, O. & Spierenburg, M., 31.12.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 598–608 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Bio-cultural diversity in south America: Overcoming agro-extractivism linked to unhealthy diets

    Tribaldos, T., Jacobi, J., Llanque, A. & Nogales, M. T., 30.12.2022, Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Diets. Kevany, K. & Prosperi, P. (eds.). London: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 636-647 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  25. Published

    Gamification and sustainable behaviour: A case study of China

    Miao, H., Saleh, M. S. M. & Zolkepli, I. A., 29.12.2022, Sustainability Communication across Asia: Fundamental Principles, Digital Strategies and Community Engagement. Saleh, M. S. M., Rahman, N. A. A. & Kasuma, S. A. A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 123-136 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  26. Published

    Sustainability communication: West vs Asia

    Saleh, M. S. M., 29.12.2022, Sustainability Communication across Asia: Fundamental Principles, Digital Strategies and Community Engagement. Saleh, M. S. M., Rahman, N. A. A. & Kasuma, S. A. A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 1-14 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  27. Published

    Sustainability communication across Asia: Fundamental principles, digital strategies and community engagement

    Saleh, M. S. M. (Editor), Rahman, N. A. A. (Editor) & Kasuma, S. A. A. (Editor), 29.12.2022, Taylor and Francis Inc. 238 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  28. Published

    The roles of the sharing economy in promoting sustainability communication and practices in China

    Tong, Z., Miao, H. & Saleh, M. S. M., 29.12.2022, Sustainability Communication across Asia: Fundamental Principles, Digital Strategies and Community Engagement. Saleh, M. S. M., Rahman, N. A. A. & Kasuma, S. A. A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 31-43 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  29. Published

    Für eine neue Ganzheitlichkeit: Nachhaltige Chemie

    Kümmerer, K. & Große Ophoff, M., 28.12.2022, In: Politische Ökologie. 40, 171, p. 90 - 96 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  30. Published

    Design principles for advancing higher education sustainability learning through transformative research

    Bernert, P., Wanner, M., Fischer, N. & Barth, M., 23.12.2022, In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. Special Issue, 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Transformationspfade für eine Kultur der Nachhaltigkeit an deutschen Hochschulen

    Fritz, H., Holst, J., Lang, D. J., Nölting, B., Parodi, O., Potthast, T. & Singer-Brodowski, M., 21.12.2022, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 31, 4, p. 254-256 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  32. Published

    Food Security, Women, and Higher Education in Aceh

    Shamadiyah, N. & Amalia, N., 17.12.2022, In: Proceedings of Malikussaleh International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies (MICoMS). 3, 6 p., 00053.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearch

  33. Published

    A framework to enable sustainability-oriented transition activities in HEIs: Learnings from two case studies in Germany and Switzerland

    Kirst, E. & Schroth, T., 15.12.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 379, 134605.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  34. Published

    An automated, modular system for organic waste utilization using Hermetia illucens larvae: Design, sustainability, and economics

    Pahmeyer, M. J., Siddiqui, S. A., Pleissner, D., Gołaszewski, J., Heinz, V. & Smetana, S., 15.12.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 379, Part 2, 8 p., 134727.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Biodiversity–stability relationships strengthen over time in a long-term grassland experiment

    Wagg, C., Roscher, C., Weigelt, A., Vogel, A., Ebeling, A., de Luca, E., Roeder, A., Kleinspehn, C., Temperton, V. M., Meyer, S. T., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Buchmann, N., Fischer, M., Weisser, W. W., Eisenhauer, N. & Schmid, B., 14.12.2022, In: Nature Communications. 13, 1, 11 p., 7752.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Connecting curricula and competence through student learning journeys

    Birdman, J., Barth, M. & Lang, D. J., 09.12.2022, In: Sustainability: Science, Practice, and Policy. 18, 1, p. 560-575 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Does storytelling for sustainability work? An experiment

    Sundermann, A., Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Hanss, D. & Selm, H., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 26-44 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  38. Published

    Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling

    Fischer, D. (Editor), Fücker, S. (Editor), Selm, H. (Editor) & Sundermann, A. (Editor), 08.12.2022, 1st ed. London : Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 142 p. (Routledge-SCORAI Studies in Sustainable Consumption)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  39. Published

    Of sustainability and storytelling - An introduction to this book

    Sundermann, A., Fischer, D., Fücker, S. & Selm, H., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 3-10 8 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  40. Published

    Storytelling for sustainability: A preliminary conclusion

    Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 127-136 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  41. Published

    Storytelling for sustainability in higher education

    Molthan-Hill, P. & Fischer, D., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 74-87 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  42. Published

    Sustelling: Storytelling for sustainability

    Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H., Storksdieck, M. & Sundermann, A., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 13-25 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  43. Published

    SusTelling in the Reception Lab – On How Young Adults Perceive Storytelling for Sustainability

    Fücker, S., Fischer, D., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 45-60 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  44. Published

    Telling your own stories: Teaching and learning storytelling

    Selm, H., Fischer, D., Janßen, H., Schäfer, T., Sundermann, A. & Fücker, S., 08.12.2022, Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. Fischer, D., Fücker, S., Selm, H. & Sundermann, A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 63-73 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  45. Published

    Dataset of physiological, behavioral, and self-report measures from a group decision-making lab study

    Burns, A., Wallot, S., Berson, Y. & Gordon, I., 01.12.2022, In: Data in Brief. 45, 8 p., 108630.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Designing benign molecules: The influence of O-acetylated glucosamine-substituents on the environmental biodegradability of fluoroquinolones

    Lorenz, S., Suaifan, G. & Kümmerer, K., 01.12.2022, In: Chemosphere. 309, Part 2, 136724.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  47. Published

    Does online-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia improve insomnia severity in nurses working shifts? Protocol for a randomised-controlled trial

    Ell, J., Brückner, H., Johann, A. F., Feige, B., Steinmetz, L., Frase, L., Järnefelt, H., Riemann, D., Lehr, D. & Spiegelhalder, K., 01.12.2022, In: Sleep Medicine. 100, Sp1, p. s115 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearch

  48. Published

    Energiewende steht für die Chance auf Re-Industrialisierung, nicht für De-Industrialisierung

    Gornig, M. & Kemfert, C., 01.12.2022, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 102, 12, p. 933-935 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Habitat diversity and peat moss cover drive the occurrence probability of the threatened ground beetle Carabus menetriesi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Bavarian mire

    Harry, I., Assmann, T., Dormann, C. F. & Skarbek, C. J., 01.12.2022, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 26, 6, p. 863-871 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Introduction: Wealth, Inequality and Redistribution in Capitalist Societies

    Lierse, H., Sachweh, P. & Waitkus, N., 01.12.2022, In: Social Justice Research. 35, 4, p. 367-378 12 p.

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

  51. Published

    Lessons learned and challenges for environmental management in Colombia: the role of communication, education and participation strategies

    Burgos-Ayala, A., Jiménez-Aceituno, A. & Rozas-Vásquez, D., 01.12.2022, In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 70, 12 p., 126281.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  52. Published

    One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

    Brack, W., Barcelo Culleres, D., Boxall, A. B. A., Budzinski, H., Castiglioni, S., Covaci, A., Dulio, V., Escher, B. I., Fantke, P., Kandie, F., Fatta-Kassinos, D., Hernández, F. J., Hilscherová, K., Hollender, J., Hollert, H., Jahnke, A., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Khan, S. J., Kortenkamp, A., Kümmerer, K., Lalonde, B., Lamoree, M. H., Levi, Y., Lara Martín, P. A., Montagner, C. C., Mougin, C., Msagati, T., Oehlmann, J., Posthuma, L., Reid, M., Reinhard, M., Richardson, S. D., Rostkowski, P., Schymanski, E., Schneider, F., Slobodnik, J., Shibata, Y., Snyder, S. A., Fabriz Sodré, F., Teodorovic, I., Thomas, K. V., Umbuzeiro, G. A., Viet, P. H., Yew-Hoong, K. G., Zhang, X. & Zuccato, E., 01.12.2022, In: Environmental Sciences Europe. 34, 1, 10 p., 21.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch