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. 2024
  2. Published

    A trainable object finder, selector and identifier for pollen, spores and other things: A step towards automated pollen recognition in lake sediments

    Theuerkauf, M., Siradze, N. & Gillert, A., 01.03.2024, In: Holocene. 34, 3, p. 297-305 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Canopy structure influences arthropod communities within and beyond tree identity effects: Insights from combining LiDAR data, insecticidal fogging and machine learning regression modelling

    Wildermuth, B., Penanhoat, A., Sennhenn-Reulen, H., Matevski, D., Drescher, J., Aubry-Kientz, M., Seidel, D. & Schuldt, A., 01.03.2024, In: Ecological Indicators. 160, 12 p., 111901.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Improving the representation of smallholder farmers’ adaptive behaviour in agent-based models: Learning-by-doing and social learning

    Apetrei, C. I., Strelkovskii, N., Khabarov, N. & Javalera Rincón, V., 01.03.2024, In: Ecological Modelling. 489, 18 p., 110609.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    ReSurveyEurope: A database of resurveyed vegetation plots in Europe

    ReSurveyEurope, Knollová, I., Chytrý, M., Bruelheide, H., Dullinger, S., Haider, S. & Härdtle, W., 01.03.2024, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 35, 2, 18 p., e13235.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    A trait-based framework linking the soil metabolome to plant–soil feedbacks

    Delory, B. M., Callaway, R. M. & Semchenko, M., 03.2024, In: New Phytologist. 241, 5, p. 1910-1921 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Broad values as the basis for understanding deliberation about protected area management

    Goodson, D. J., van Riper, C. J., Andrade, R., Stewart, W., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A. & Raymond, C. M., 03.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 2, p. 449-467 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    From pre-processing to advanced dynamic modeling of pupil data

    Fink, L., Simola, J., Tavano, A., Lange, E., Wallot, S. & Laeng, B., 03.2024, In: Behavior Research Methods. 56, 3, p. 1376-1412 37 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Processes of sustainability transformation across systems scales: leveraging systemic change in the textile sector

    Leventon, J., Buhr, M., Keßler, L., Rodriguez Aboytes, J. G. & Beyers, F., 03.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 2, p. 469-488 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The relevance of international restoration principles for ecosystem restoration practice in Rwanda

    Frietsch, M., Fischer, J., Kaplin, B. A. & Martín-López, B., 03.2024, In: Restoration Ecology. 32, 3, 11 p., e14085.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Tree diversity and mycorrhizal type co-determine multitrophic ecosystem functions

    Yi, H., Eisenhauer, N., Austen, J. C., Rebollo, R., Ray, T., Bönisch, E., von Oheimb, G., Fichtner, A., Schuldt, A., Patoine, G. & Ferlian, O., 03.2024, In: Journal of Ecology. 112, 3, p. 528-546 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Are web-based stress management interventions effective as an indirect treatment for depression? An individual participant data meta-analysis of six randomised trials

    Harrer, M., Nixon, P., Sprenger, A. A., Heber, E., Boß, L., Heckendorf, H., Buntrock, C., Ebert, D. D. & Lehr, D., 13.02.2024, In: BMJ mental health. 27, 1, 8 p., e300846.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    United we stand: A principle-based negotiation training for collective bargaining

    Mann, M., Warsitzka, M., Hüffmeier, J. & Trötschel, R., 13.02.2024, In: International Journal of Conflict Management. 35, 2, p. 427-452 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Sustainable chemistry and food systems lessons-the same procedure as every year?

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 09.02.2024, In: Science (New York, N.Y.). 383, 6683, eado2352.

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

  15. Published

    Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago

    Mylopotamitaki, D., Weiss, M., Fewlass, H., Zavala, E. I., Rougier, H., Sümer, A. P., Hajdinjak, M., Smith, G. M., Ruebens, K., Sinet-Mathiot, V., Pederzani, S., Essel, E., Harking, F. S., Xia, H., Hansen, J., Kirchner, A., Lauer, T., Stahlschmidt, M., Hein, M., Talamo, S., Wacker, L., Meller, H., Dietl, H., Orschiedt, J., Olsen, J. V., Zeberg, H., Prüfer, K., Krause, J., Meyer, M., Welker, F., McPherron, S. P., Schüler, T. & Hublin, J. J., 08.02.2024, In: Nature. 626, 7998, p. 341-346 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Arbeitsräume hacken: Persönlichen Transformationen gemeinsam Raum geben

    Konrad, T. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 145-163 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  17. Published

    CULTURAL TENSIONS AND VALUES-ACTION GAPS IN SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED INNOVATION: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC INQUIRY

    Breuer, H. & Ivanov, K., 01.02.2024, In: International Journal of Innovation Management. 28, 1-2, 31 p., 2450005.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Einleitung: Warum hacken?

    Hochmann, L. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 11-23 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  19. Published

    Fazit: Wie hacken?

    Hochmann, L. & Möller, S., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 403-411 9 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  20. Published

    Fußballvereine hacken: Mit Werteorientierung und Nachhaltigkeit gierige Monster ins Abseits stellen

    Möller, S. & Rager, E., 01.02.2024, Organisationen hacken: Einfallstore in eine nachhaltige Arbeitswelt. Hochmann, L. & Möller, S. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 167-182 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  21. Published

    Governing anthropogenic assets for nature’s contributions to people in forests: a policy document analysis

    Isaac, R., Hofmann, J., Koegst, J., Schleyer, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.02.2024, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 152, 20 p., 103657.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review