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. 2022
  2. Published

    On the economics of storage for electricity: Current state and future market design prospects

    Haas, R., Kemfert, C., Auer, H., Ajanovic, A., Sayer, M. & Hiesl, A., 01.05.2022, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment. 11, 3, 27 p., e431.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Spring barley performance benefits from simultaneous shallow straw incorporation and top dressing as revealed by rhizotrons with resealable sampling ports

    Reichel, R., Kamau, C. W., Kumar, A., Li, Z., Radl, V., Temperton, V. M., Schloter, M. & Brüggemann, N., 01.05.2022, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 4, p. 375-388 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    The importance of product lifetime labelling for purchase decisions: Strategic implications for corporate sustainability based on a conjoint analysis in Germany

    Jacobs, K. & Hörisch, J., 01.05.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 4, p. 1275-1291 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Using measures of reading time regularity (RTR) to quantify eye movement dynamics, and how they are shaped by linguistic information

    Tschense, M. & Wallot, S., 01.05.2022, In: Journal of Vision. 22, 6, 21 p., 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Decision-making for nature’s contributions to people in the Cape Floristic Region: the role of values, rules and knowledge

    Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 05.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 3, p. 739-760 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Digitalisierung & Inklusion – Teil 1: Naturwissenschaftliche und digitale Grundbildung für alle ermöglichen

    Watts, E. & Stinken-Rösner, L., 05.2022, In: Digital unterrichten. Biologie. 2022, 5, p. 3-3 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  8. Published

    Mosaic landscapes provide conservation pockets for an endangered species: Colias myrmidone in Romania

    Loos, J., Schröer, C., Becker, T., Kastal, A., Kortmann, E. & Dolek, M., 05.2022, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 15, 3, p. 359-369 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Can Pulsed Electric Fields Treated Algal Cells Be Used as Stationary Phase in Chromatography?

    Pleissner, D. & Smetana, S., 29.04.2022, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 6, 7 p., 860647.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    The German Environmental Information Act under the microscope

    Schomerus, T. & Zschiesche, M., 29.04.2022, In: Renewable Energy Law & Policy Review. 10, 3-4, p. 32-38 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  11. Published

    Better performance of organic than conventional tomato varieties in single and mixed cropping

    Ficiciyan, A. M., Loos, J. & Tscharntke, T., 21.04.2022, In: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 46, 4, p. 491-509 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Changes in the Complexity of Limb Movements during the First Year of Life across Different Tasks

    Laudanska, Z., Perez, D. L., Radkowska, A., Babis, K., Malinowska-Korczak, A., Wallot, S. & Tomalski, P., 15.04.2022, In: Entropy. 24, 4, 13 p., 552.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    When control does not pay off: The dilemma between trade-off opportunities and budget restrictions in B2B negotiations

    Mann, M., Warsitzka, M., Zhang, H., Hüffmeier, J. & Trötschel, R., 06.04.2022, In: Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 15, 4, p. 240-263 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Emotions and social development in childhood

    Salisch, M., Voltmer, K., Miller-Slough , R., Chin, J.-C. & Denham, S. A., 05.04.2022, The Wiley‐Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development. Smith, P. & Hart, C. (eds.). 3. ed. Cambridge: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., p. 631-650 20 p. (The Wiley‐Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  15. Published

    Lehre und Forschung im Projekt „Naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht inklusiv gestalten“ (Nawi-In)

    Abels, S., Barth, M., Brauns, S., Egger, D., Richter, S. & Sellin, K., 04.04.2022, Qualifizierung für Inklusion: Sekundarstufe. Lutz, D., Becker, J., Buchhaupt, F., Katzenbach, D., Strecker, A. & Urban, M. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 25-38 14 p. (Qualifizierung der pädagogischen Fachkräfte für inklusive Bildung; vol. 3).

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

  16. Published

    A data-driven methodological routine to identify key indicators for social-ecological system archetype mapping

    Pacheco-Romero, M., Vallejos, M., Paruelo, J. M., Alcaraz-Segura, D., Torres-García, M. T., Salinas-Bonillo, M. J. & Cabello, J., 01.04.2022, In: Environmental Research Letters. 17, 4, 12 p., 045019.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    An inclusive future: disabled populations in the context of climate and environmental change

    Kosanic, A., Petzold, J., Martín-López, B. & Razanajatovo, M., 01.04.2022, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 55, 11 p., 101159.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Competitive interactions shape plant responses to nitrogen fertilization and drought: evidence from a microcosm experiment with Lilium bulbiferum L. and Secale cereale L.

    Lütke Schwienhorst, J., Pyrlik, C., Tomberge, A., Fichtner, A., Walmsley, D., von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 01.04.2022, In: Plant Ecology. 223, 4, p. 437-451 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Contextualising coastal management and adaptation: Examining situated practices and path dependencies in Ireland and Germany

    Tubridy, F., Walsh, C., Lennon, M. & Scott, M., 01.04.2022, In: Ocean and Coastal Management. 220, 11 p., 106095.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Demarcating transdisciplinary research in sustainability science—Five clusters of research modes based on evidence from 59 research projects

    Jahn, S., Newig, J., Lang, D. J., Kahle, J. & Bergmann, M., 01.04.2022, In: Sustainable Development. 30, 2, p. 343-357 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Effectiveness of an internet-based intervention to improve sleep difficulties in a culturally diverse sample of international students: A randomised controlled pilot study

    Spanhel, K., Burdach, D., Pfeiffer, T., Lehr, D., Spiegelhalder, K., Ebert, D. D., Baumeister, H., Bengel, J. & Sander, L. B., 01.04.2022, In: Journal of Sleep Research. 31, 2, 12 p., e13493.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Governance in the Face of Extreme Events: Lessons from Evolutionary Processes for Structuring Interventions, and the Need to Go Beyond

    Levin, S. A., Anderies, J. M., Adger, N., Barrett, S., Bennett, E. M., Cardenas, J. C., Carpenter, S. R., Crépin, A. S., Ehrlich, P., Fischer, J., Folke, C., Kautsky, N., Kling, C., Nyborg, K., Polasky, S., Scheffer, M., Segerson, K., Shogren, J., van den Bergh, J., Walker, B., Weber, E. U. & Wilen, J., 01.04.2022, In: Ecosystems. 25, 3, p. 697-711 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    In search of the Holy Grail of Rodent control: Step-by-step implementation of safe and sustainable-by-design principles on the example of rodenticides

    Hohenberger, J., Friesen, A., Wieck, S. & Kümmerer, K., 01.04.2022, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 25, 19 p., 100602.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review

    Gohr, C., von Wehrden, H., May, F. & Ibisch, P. L., 01.04.2022, In: Ecosphere. 13, 4, 14 p., e4053.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  25. Published

    Social actors’ perceptions of wildlife: Insights for the conservation of species in Mediterranean protected areas

    Cortés-Avizanda, A., Pereira, H. M., McKee, E., Ceballos, O. & Martín-López, B., 01.04.2022, In: Ambio. 51, 4, p. 990-1000 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Thinking, doing, organising: Prefiguring just and sustainable energy systems via collective prosumer ecosystems in Europe

    Wittmayer, J. M., Campos, I., Avelino, F., Brown, D., Doračić, B., Fraaije, M., Gährs, S., Hinsch, A., Assalini, S., Becker, T., Marín-González, E., Holstenkamp, L., Bedoić, R., Duić, N., Oxenaar, S. & Pukšec, T., 01.04.2022, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 86, 13 p., 102425.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Green and Sustainable Extraction of High-Value Compounds: Protein from Food Supply Chain Waste

    Zanotti, K., Stahl, A. M., Segatto, M. L. & Zuin, V. G., 29.03.2022, Sustainable Separation Engineering: Materials, Techniques and Process Development. Szekely, G. & Zhao, D. (eds.). Wiley-VCH Verlag, p. 63-104 42 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  28. Published

    Time and sustainability: A missing link in formal education curricula

    Grauer, C., Fischer, D. & Frank, P., 29.03.2022, In: Journal of Environmental Education. 53, 1, p. 22-41 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Water, rivers and wetlands: Governance paradigms and principles

    Challies, E. & Newig, J., 25.03.2022, Routledge Handbook of Global Environmental Politics, Second Edition. Harris, P. G. (ed.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 512-525 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  30. Published

    “I’ll Worry About It Tomorrow” – Fostering Emotion Regulation Skills to Overcome Procrastination

    Schuenemann, L., Scherenberg, V., Eckert, M. & Salisch, M., 22.03.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 13, 13 p., 780675.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Green infrastructure connectivity analysis across spatiotemporal scales: A transferable approach in the Ruhr Metropolitan Area, Germany

    Wang, J., Rienow, A., David, M. & Albert, C., 20.03.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 813, 152463.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Neighbourhood Species Richness Reduces Crown Asymmetry of Subtropical Trees in Sloping Terrain

    Perles García, M. D., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Meyer, N., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 16.03.2022, In: Remote Sensing. 14, 6, 14 p., 1441.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  33. Published

    Three source-partitioning of CO2 fluxes based on a dual-isotope approach to investigate interactions between soil organic carbon, glucose and straw

    Chen, Z., Kumar, A., Brookes, P. C., Kuzyakov, Y., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 10.03.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 811, 10 p., 152163.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices, and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C., Sielker, F., Smith, G. & Crawford, J., 04.03.2022, In: Planning Practice and Research. 37, 2, p. 131-135 5 p.

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

  35. Published

    An automated, modular system for organic waste utilization using heterotrophic alga Galdieria sulphuraria: Design considerations and sustainability

    Julius Pahmeyer, M., Anusha Siddiqui, S., Pleissner, D., Gołaszewski, J., Heinz, V. & Smetana, S., 01.03.2022, In: Bioresource Technology. 348, 7 p., 126800.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Circular business models for the fastmoving consumer goods industry: Desirability, feasibility, and viability

    Bocken, N. M. P., Harsch, A. & Weissbrod, I., 01.03.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 30, p. 799-814 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Conceptualizing community in energy systems: A systematic review of 183 definitions

    Bauwens, T., Schraven, D., Drewing, E., Radtke, J., Holstenkamp, L., Gotchev, B. & Yildiz, Ö., 01.03.2022, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 156, 16 p., 111999.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published
  39. Published

    Fire and landscape context shape plant and butterfly diversity in a South African shrubland

    Topp, E. N., Tscharntke, T. & Loos, J., 01.03.2022, In: Diversity and Distributions. 28, 3, p. 357-371 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    How cognitive issue bracketing affects interdependent decision-making in negotiations

    Warsitzka, M., Zhang, H., Loschelder, D. D., Majer, J. & Trötschel, R., 01.03.2022, In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 99, 16 p., 104268.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops

    Griffiths, M., Delory, B. M., Jawahir, V., Wong, K. M., Bagnall, G. C., Dowd, T. G., Nusinow, D. A., Miller, A. J. & Topp, C. N., 01.03.2022, In: Plant Cell and Environment. 45, 3, p. 751-770 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  42. Published

    Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas

    Stefano, N. & Pleissner, D., 01.03.2022, In: Journal of Soils and Sediments. 22, 3, p. 757-768 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Reducing problematic alcohol use in employees: economic evaluation of guided and unguided web-based interventions alongside a three-arm randomized controlled trial

    Buntrock, C., Freund, J., Smit, F., Riper, H., Lehr, D., Boss, L., Berking, M. & Ebert, D. D., 01.03.2022, In: Addiction: The British journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs. 117, 3, p. 611-622 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Reinforcing or counterproductive behaviors for sustainable entrepreneurship? The influence of causation and effectuation on sustainability orientation

    Johnson, M. P. & Hörisch, J., 01.03.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 3, p. 908-920 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    The ten principles of green sample preparation

    López-Lorente, Á. I., Pena-Pereira, F., Pedersen-Bjergaard, S., Zuin, V. G., Ozkan, S. A. & Psillakis, E., 01.03.2022, In: TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 148, 10 p., 116530.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  46. Published

    Transdisciplinary co-creation increases the utilization of knowledge from sustainable development research

    Jacobi, J., Llanque, A., Mukhovi, S. M., Birachi, E. A., von Groote, P. M., Eschen, R., Hilber-Schöb, I., Kiba, D. I., Frossard, E. & Robledo-Abad, C., 01.03.2022, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 129, p. 107-115 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Urgent need for updating the slogan of global climate actions from 'tree planting' to 'restore native vegetation'

    Tölgyesi, C., Buisson, E., Helm, A., Temperton, V. & Török, P., 01.03.2022, In: Restoration Ecology. 30, 3, 4 p., e13594.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C. (Editor), Sielker, F. (Editor), Smith, G. (Editor) & Crawford, J. (Editor), 03.2022, London: Taylor and Francis Inc. 138 p. (Planning Practice and Research; vol. 37, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  49. Published

    Using a leverage points perspective to compare social-ecological systems: a case study on rural landscapes

    Fischer, J., Abson, D., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Hartel, T., Schultner, J. & Sherrene, K., 03.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 119-130 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Der europäische Weg

    Cieslewicz, K., Lang, D. & Barth, M., 28.02.2022, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 37, 1, p. 8–9 2 p.

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

  51. Published

    Almost there: On the importance of a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem for developing sustainable urban food forest enterprises

    Wiek, A. & Albrecht, S., 23.02.2022, In: Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems. 7, 1, 14 p., e20025.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review