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

    Does stakeholder participation improve environmental governance? Evidence from a meta-analysis of 305 case studies

    Newig, J., Jager, N. W., Challies, E. R. T. & Kochskämper, E., 01.09.2023, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 82, 11 p., 102705.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Feasibility and efficacy of a digital resilience training: A pilot study of the strengths-based training RESIST

    Behrendt, D., Boß, L., Hannibal, S., Kunzler, A. M., Wessa, M. & Lehr, D., 01.09.2023, In: Internet Interventions. 33, 14 p., 100649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Heterotrophic growth of Galdieria sulphuraria on residues from aquaculture and fish processing industries

    Pleissner, D., Schönfelder, S., Händel, N., Dalichow, J., Ettinger, J., Kvangarsnes, K., Dauksas, E., Rustad, T. & Cropotova, J., 01.09.2023, In: Bioresource Technology. 384, 8 p., 129281.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Rethinking Economic Practices and Values As Assemblages of More-Than-Human Relations

    Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Benavides-Frías, C., Raymond, C. M., Díaz-Reviriego, I. & Hanspach, J., 01.09.2023, In: Ecological Economics. 211, 9 p., 107866.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Shedding light on trophic interactions: A field experiment on the effect of human population between latitudes on herbivory and predation patterns

    Alonso-Crespo, I. M. & Hernández-Agüero, J. A., 01.09.2023, In: Ecology and Evolution. 13, 9, 13 p., e10449.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Social justice for traditional knowledge holders will help conserve Europe's nature

    Molnár, Z., Fernández-Llamazares, Á., Schunko, C., Teixidor-Toneu, I., Jarić, I., Díaz-Reviriego, I., Ivascu, C., Babai, D., Sáfián, L., Karlsen, P., Dai, H. & Hill, R., 01.09.2023, In: Biological Conservation. 285, 10 p., 110190.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    ‘The human shield effect’: Human-wildlife co-occurrence patterns in the coffee forests of southwestern Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Dorresteijn, I. & Gimenez, O., 01.09.2023, In: Food Webs. 36, 8 p., e00288.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Valuing beaches for beauty and recreation only? Uncovering perception bias through a hashtag analysis

    Wahler, H., Fanini, L. & Riechers, M., 01.09.2023, In: Marine Policy. 155, 105707.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    §§ 9 -13 WindSeeG (Zentrale Voruntersuchung von Flächen)

    Schatz, V. J. & Bartmann, E., 09.2023, Energierecht: 120. Ergänzungslieferung. Theobald, C. & Kühling, J. (eds.). München: C.H. Beck Verlag

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

  11. Published
  12. Published

    Green and Sustainable Chemistry Teacher Education: Experiences from a Brazilian University

    Gomes, C. J. C. & Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 09.2023, In: Sustainable Chemistry. 4, 3, p. 272 - 281 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Path dependence of accountants: Why are they not involved in corporate sustainability?

    Wenzig, J., Nuzum, A.-K. & Schaltegger, S., 09.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 6, p. 2662-2683 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Stratification of stakeholders for participation in the governance of coastal social-ecological systems

    Celliers, L., Rölfer, L., Rivers, N., Rosendo, S., Fernandes, M., Snow, B. & Costa, M. M., 09.2023, In: Ambio. 52, 9, p. 1418-1430 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    The role of emotions in human–nature connectedness within Mediterranean landscapes in Spain

    Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Martín-López, B., Expósito-Granados, M., Alba-Patiño, D., Rodríguez-Caballero, E., García-Llorente, M. & Castro, A. J., 09.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 5, p. 2181-2197 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    An introduction to the concept of organic waste to food conversion

    Pleissner, D., 14.08.2023, Waste to Food: Returning Nutrients to the Food Chain. Smetana, S., Zeidler, V. Z. & Pleissner, D. (eds.). Brill | Schöningh, p. 15-30 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  17. Published

    Introduction: Waste to food - returning nutrients to the food chain

    Smetana, S., Zuin Zeidler, V. & Pleissner, D., 14.08.2023, Waste to Food: Returning Nutrients to the Food Chain. Smetana, S., Zeidler, V. Z. & Pleissner, D. (eds.). Brill | Schöningh, p. 9-12 4 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  18. Published

    Potential scenarios of waste to food concept and further research, development and innovation

    Smetana, S., Zuin Zeidler, V. & Pleissner, D., 14.08.2023, Waste to Food: Returning Nutrients to the Food Chain. Smetana, S., Pleissner, D. & Zuin Zeidler, V. (eds.). Brill | Schöningh, p. 283-300 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  19. Published

    Collaborative benchmarking of functional-structural root architecture models: Quantitative comparison of simulated root water uptake

    Schnepf, A., Black, C. K., Couvreur, V., Delory, B. M., Doussan, C., Heymans, A., Javaux, M., Khare, D., Koch, A., Koch, T., Kuppe, C. W., Landl, M., Leitner, D., Lobet, G., Meunier, F., Postma, J. A., Schäfer, E. D., Selzner, T., Vanderborght, J. & Vereecken, H., 10.08.2023, In: In Silico Plants. 5, 1, 21 p., diad005.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Case study

    Meyer, S., Brundiers, K., Mader, M. & Weiser, A., 04.08.2023, Handbook Transdisciplinary Learning. Philip, T. & Schmohl, T. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 31-40 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  21. Published

    Climate Change as an External Enabler of Entrepreneurial Activity

    Hirschmann, M., Farny, S. & Fisch, C., 01.08.2023, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2023, 1, 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Co-production of nature's contributions to people: What evidence is out there?

    Kachler, J., Isaac, R., Martín-López, B., Bonn, A. & Felipe-Lucia, M. R., 01.08.2023, In: People and Nature. 5, 4, p. 1119-1134 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  23. Published

    Is peoples’ belief in a just world associated with (dis)honesty in romantic relationships?

    Reinhardt, N., Reinhard, M. A. & Schindler, S., 01.08.2023, In: Journal of Research in Personality. 105, 104396.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    MSPs for the SDGs: Assessing the collaborative governance architecture of multi-stakeholder partnerships for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals

    Glass, L.-M., Newig, J. & Ruf, S., 01.08.2023, In: Earth System Governance. 17, 17 p., 100182.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    The Power of Words: Formation of Partnerships through Circular Startups

    Böckel, A., Farny, S. & Bocken, N., 01.08.2023, In: Academy of Management Proceedings. 2023, 1

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Advancing protected area effectiveness assessments by disentangling social-ecological interactions: A case study from the Luangwa Valley, Zambia

    Frietsch, M., Zafra-Calvo, N., Ghoddousi, A. & Loos, J., 08.2023, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 5, 8, 16 p., e12974.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Are Si–C bonds formed in the environment and/or in technical microbiological systems?

    Rücker, C., Winkelmann, M. & Kümmerer, K., 08.2023, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 30, 39, p. 91492-91500 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Reduction of the Microbial Load of Digestate by the Cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria Under Acidic Conditions

    Pleissner, D. & Händel, N., 08.2023, In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 14, 8, p. 2621-2627 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  29. Published

    Science Communication as a Collective Intelligence Endeavor: A Manifesto and Examples for Implementation

    Holford, D., Fasce, A., Wulf, M., Kause, A., Tapper, K., Demko, M., Lewandowski, S., Hahn, U., Abels, C. M., Ahmed, A.-R., Sameer, A., Boender, S. T., Bruns, H., Fischer, H., Gilde, C., Hanel, P. H. P., Herzog, S. M., Lehmann, S., Nurse, M. S., Orr, C., Pescetelli, N., Petrescu, M., Sa, S., Schmid, P., Sirota, M. & Wulf, M., 08.2023, In: Science Communication. 45, 4, p. 539-554 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  30. Published

    Stakeholders’ Perspectives of Species Diversity in Tree Plantations: a Global Review

    Cagnoni, L. B., Weidlich, E. W. A., Guillemot, J., Morselo, C., Weih, M., Adler, A. & Brancalion, P. H. S., 08.2023, In: Current Forestry Reports. 9, 4, p. 251-262 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  31. Published
  32. Published

    Genetic editing of wood for sustainability: Trees engineered to have less lignin could make paper production less polluting

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 14.07.2023, In: Science. 381, 6654, p. 124-125 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  33. Published

    A Daily Breathing Practice Bolsters Girls’ Prosocial Behavior and Third and Fourth Graders’ Supportive Peer Relationships: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    von Salisch, M. & Voltmer, K., 01.07.2023, In: Mindfulness. 14, 7, p. 1622-1635 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Disentangling the practice of landscape approaches: a Q-method analysis on experiences in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes

    Torralba, M., Nishi, M., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Quintas-Soriano, C., García-Martín, M. & Plieninger, T., 01.07.2023, In: Sustainability Science. 18, 4, p. 1893-1906 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Drivers of ecosystem service specialization in a smallholder agricultural landscape of the Global South: a case study in Ethiopia

    Brück, M., Fischer, J., Law, E. A., Schultner, J. & Abson, D. J., 01.07.2023, In: Ecology and Society. 28, 3, 38 p., 1.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Exploring the role of intentions and expectations in continuing professional development in sustainability education

    Casanova, C. R., King, J. A. & Fischer, D., 01.07.2023, In: Teaching and Teacher Education. 128, 104115.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Mathematikspiele in der Familie: Erfassung des Anregungsgehalts mathematischer Lernumwelten mit dem mathematischen Titelrekognitionstest für das Kindergartenalter (TRT-Mathe-K)

    Niklas, F., Ogrissek, L., Lehrl, S., Grolig, L. & Berner, V. D., 01.07.2023, In: Diagnostica. 69, 3, p. 133-143 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Spatial interpretation of high-resolution environmental proxy data of the Middle Pleistocene Palaeolithic faunal kill site Schöningen 13 II-4, Germany

    Urban, B., Krahn, K. J., Kasper, T., García-Moreno, A., Hutson, J. M., Villaluenga, A., Turner, E., Gaudzinski-Windheuser, S., Farghaly, D., Tucci, M. & Schwalb, A., 01.07.2023, In: Boreas. 52, 3, p. 440-458 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Sustainable development of supplier performance. An empirical analysis of relationship characteristics in the automotive sector

    Naffin, J., Klewitz, J. & Schaltegger, S., 01.07.2023, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 30, 4, p. 1753-1769 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Uncharted risk measures for the management of sustainable mining

    Watts, B. A., Zago, V. C. P., Gopakumar, L., Ghazaryan, K. & Movsesyan, H., 01.07.2023, In: Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 19, 4, p. 949-960 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  41. Published

    Are you teaching "distillation" correctly in your chemistry classes? An educational reconstruction

    Abels, S., Koliander, B. & Plotz, T., 07.2023, In: Chemistry Teacher International. 5, 2, p. 229-237 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    EDITORIAL

    Gibassier, D., Maas, K. & Schaltegger, S., 07.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 5, p. 2541-2543 3 p.

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

  43. Published

    Managing and accounting for corporate biodiversity contributions mapping the field

    Schaltegger, S., Gibassier, D. & Maas, K., 07.2023, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 32, 5, p. 2544-2553 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Prioritize grassland restoration to bend the curve of biodiversity loss

    Staude, I. R., Segar, J., Temperton, V. M., Andrade, B. O., de Sá Dechoum, M., Weidlich, E. W. A. & Overbeck, G. E., 07.2023, In: Restoration Ecology. 31, 5, 7 p., e13931.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Mismatches in the ecosystem services-wellbeing nexus: a case study for Chilean Patagonia

    Benra, F., Nahuelhual, L., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Oh, R., Kachler, J. & Bonn, A., 26.06.2023, In: Ecosystems and People. 19, 1, 19 p., 2224448.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    A transdisciplinary framework for university-industry collaboration in establishing a social business model

    Cheah, J. S. S., Amran, A., Kirubakaran, M., Lang, D. J., Su, P. F. & Chu, J. W., 20.06.2023, In: Social Enterprise Journal. 19, 4, p. 390-403 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Fossil footprints at the late lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen (Germany): A new line of research to reconstruct animal and hominin paleoecology

    Altamura, F., Lehmann, J., Rodríguez-Álvarez, B., Urban, B., van Kolfschoten, T., Verheijen, I., Conard, N. J. & Serangeli, J., 15.06.2023, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 310, 108094.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  48. Published

    Participation in protected area governance: A systematic case survey of the evidence on ecological and social outcomes

    Huber, J. M., Newig, J. & Loos, J., 15.06.2023, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 336, 117593.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Formative Dimensions for Green and Sustainable Chemical Education: A Qualitative Evaluation Tool of the Formative Level of Experimental Processes

    Andrade, R. S. & Zuin, V. G., 13.06.2023, In: Journal of Chemical Education. 100, 6, p. 2281-2291 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Repensar la conexión con la naturaleza a través de las emociones

    Castro, A. J., Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Suárez Alonso, M. L., Vidal-Abarca, M. R. & Martín-López, B., 08.06.2023, In: Ecosistemas. 32, especial, 3 p., 2502.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    The Energy Situation in the Federal Republic of Germany: Analysis of the Current Situation and Perspectives for a Non-Fossil Energy Supply

    Atzler, F., Türck, J., Türck, R. & Krahl, J., 07.06.2023, In: Energies. 16, 12, 8 p., 4569.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review