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

    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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Published

    Engaging Refugees With a Culturally Adapted Digital Intervention to Improve Sleep: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

    Spanhel, K., Hovestadt, E., Lehr, D., Spiegelhalder, K., Baumeister, H., Bengel, J. & Sander, L. B., 23.02.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13, 13 p., 832196.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    You Are Where You Eat: A Theoretical Perspective on Why Identity Matters in Local Food Groups

    Poeggel, K., 23.02.2022, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 6, 13 p., 782556.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    A whole-institution approach towards sustainability: a crucial aspect of higher education’s individual and collective engagement with the SDGs and beyond

    Kohl, K., Hopkins, C., Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Dlouhá, J., Razak, D. A., Abidin Bin Sanusi, Z. & Toman, I., 21.02.2022, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 23, 2, p. 218-236 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Namibia, Christianity in

    Oermann, N. O., 17.02.2022, The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Church: K-Z. Louth, A. (ed.). 4. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Vol. 2. (Oxford Dictionary of Christian Churches).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  10. Published

    Palaeoecological Interpretation of a Late Holocene Sediment Sequence from the Alpine Belt of the Southern Mongolian Altai Mountains

    Goenster-Jordan, S., Urban, B. & Buerkert, A., 17.02.2022, In: Open Quaternary. 8, 1, 18 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Invertebrate herbivory rather than competition with tussocks will increasingly delay highland forest regeneration in degraded areas under active restoration

    Renison, D., Rodriguez, J. M., García Cannata, L., von Wehrden, H. & Hensen, I., 15.02.2022, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 506, 119990.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Solketal as a renewable fuel component in ternary blends with biodiesel and diesel fuel or HVO and the impact on physical and chemical properties

    Türck, J., Singer, A., Lichtinger, A., Almaddad, M., Türck, R., Jakob, M., Garbe, T., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 15.02.2022, In: Fuel. 310, Part C, 122463.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Waste to food: returning nutrients to the food chain

    Smetana, S. (Editor), Pleißner, D. (Editor) & Zuin Zeidler, V. (Editor), 15.02.2022, Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers. 300 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  14. Published

    An Outcome-Oriented, Social-Ecological Framework for Assessing Protected Area Effectiveness

    Ghoddousi, A., Loos, J. & Kümmerle, T., 01.02.2022, In: BioScience / American Institute of Biological Sciences. 72, 2, p. 201-212 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Broadening the scope of ecosystem services research: Disaggregation as a powerful concept for sustainable natural resource management

    Brück, M., Abson, D. J., Fischer, J. & Schultner, J., 01.02.2022, In: Ecosystem Services. 53, 11 p., 101399.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Chemistry and materials science for a sustainable circular polymeric economy

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 01.02.2022, In: Nature Reviews Materials. 7, 2, p. 76-78 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  17. Published

    Essential ecosystem service variables for monitoring progress towards sustainability

    Balvanera, P., Brauman, K. A., Cord, A. F., Drakou, E. G., Geijzendorffer, I. R., Karp, D. S., Martín-López, B., Mwampamba, T. H. & Schröter, M., 01.02.2022, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 54, 9 p., 101152.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Falling “fortresses”: Unlocking Governance Entanglements and Shifting Knowledge Paradigms to Counter Climate Change Threats in Biodiversity Conservation

    Ghosh, A., Sen, A., Dutta, K. & Ghosh, P., 01.02.2022, In: Environmental Management. 69, 2, p. 305-322 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Kinetic and Stoichiometric Modeling-Based Analysis of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Production Potential by Crypthecodinium cohnii from Glycerol, Glucose and Ethanol

    Berzins, K., Muiznieks, R., Baumanis, M. R., Strazdina, I., Shvirksts, K., Prikule, S., Galvanauskas, V., Pleissner, D., Pentjuss, A., Grube, M., Kalnenieks, U. & Stalidzans, E., 01.02.2022, In: Marine Drugs. 20, 2, 18 p., 115.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Klimaschutzmaßnahmen im Lichte des Welthandelsrechts

    Bäumler, J. & Dorwig, J., 01.02.2022, In: Klima und Recht - KlimR. 1, 2, p. 38-42 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  21. Published

    Potential supply and actual use of cultural ecosystem services in mountain protected areas and their surroundings

    Crouzat, E., De Frutos, A., Grescho, V., Carver, S., Büermann, A., Carvalho-Santos, C., Kraemer, R., Mayor, S., Pöpperl, F., Rossi, C., Schröter, M., Stritih, A., Sofia Vaz, A., Watzema, J. & Bonn, A., 01.02.2022, In: Ecosystem Services. 53, 12 p., 101395.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Spatial variation in human disturbances and their effects on forest structure and biodiversity across an Afromontane forest

    Beche, D., Tack, A., Nemomissa, S., Warkineh, B., Lemessa, D., Rodrigues, P., Fischer, J. & Hylander, K., 01.02.2022, In: Landscape Ecology. 37, 2, p. 493-510 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Advancing research on ecosystem service bundles for comparative assessments and synthesis

    Meacham, M., Norströma, A. V., Peterson, G. D., Andersson, E., Bennett, E. M., Biggs, R., Crouzat, E., Cord, A. F., Enfors, E., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Fischer, J., Hamann, M., Hanspach, J., Hicks, C., Jacobs, S., Lavorel, S., Locatelli, B., Martín-López, B., Plieninger, T. & Queiroz, C., 02.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 99-111 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Der Scheidige Gelbstern (Gagea spathacea): Schutzstrategien für eine Verantwortungsart in Deutschland

    Fichtner, A., Jansen, D., Härdtle, W., Matthies, D., Arnold, V., Erfmeier, A., Hemke, T., Lütt, S., Schmidt, M., Sturm, K., von Oheimb, G., Wiebe, C. & Ohse, B., 02.2022, In: Natur und Landschaft. 97, 2, p. 71-77 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Entrepreneurship-driven organizational transformation for sustainability: a sensemaking lens

    Hübel, C., 24.01.2022, In: Journal of Organizational Change Management. 35, 1, p. 240-256 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published
  27. Published

    Quantum Chemical Calculation and Evaluation of Partition Coefficients for Classical and Emerging Environmentally Relevant Organic Compounds

    Salthammer, T., Grimme, S., Stahn, M., Hohm, U. & Palm, W. U., 04.01.2022, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 56, 1, p. 379-391 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Telecoupling as a framework to support a more nuanced understanding of causality in land system science

    Busck-Lumholt, L. M., Coenen, J., Persson, J., Frohn Pedersen, A., Mertz, O. & Corbera, E., 02.01.2022, In: Journal of Land Use Science. 17, 1, p. 386-406 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    A feminist ethos for caring knowledge production in transdisciplinary sustainability science

    Staffa, R. K., Riechers, M. & Martín-López, B., 01.01.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 1, p. 45-63 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Barriers to a sustainability transformation of meat production practices - An industry actor perspective

    Huebel, C. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 29, p. 128-140 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Best practice for bio-waste collection as a prerequisite for high-quality compost

    Friege, H. & Eger, Y., 01.01.2022, In: Waste Management and Research. 40, 1, p. 104-110 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Can B Corp certification anchor sustainability in SMEs?

    Carvalho, B., Wiek, A. & Ness, B., 01.01.2022, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 29, 1, p. 293-304 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Case study meta-analysis in the social sciences. Insights on data quality and reliability from a large-N case survey

    Jager, N. W., Newig, J., Challies, E., Kochskämper, E. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2022, In: Research Synthesis Methods. 13, 1, p. 12-27 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Collective intentionality in entrepreneurship-as-practice

    Farny, S. & Kibler, E., 01.01.2022, Research Handbook on Entrepreneurship as Practice. Thompson, N. A., Byrne, O., Jenkins, A. & Teague, B. T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 127-140 14 p. (Handbooks of Business and Management Research as Practice).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  35. Published

    Co-productive agility and four collaborative pathways to sustainability transformations

    Chambers, J. M., Wyborn, C., Klenk, N. L., Ryan, M., Serban, A., Bennett, N. J., Brennan, R., Charli-Joseph, L., Fernández-Giménez, M. E., Galvin, K. A., Goldstein, B. E., Haller, T., Hill, R., Munera, C., Nel, J. L., Österblom, H., Reid, R. S., Riechers, M., Spierenburg, M., Tengö, M., Bennett, E., Brandeis, A., Chatterton, P., Cockburn, J. J., Cvitanovic, C., Dumrongrojwatthana, P., Paz Durán, A., Gerber, J. D., Green, J. M. H., Gruby, R., Guerrero, A. M., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Montana, J., Steyaert, P., Zaehringer, J. G., Bednarek, A. T., Curran, K., Fada, S. J., Hutton, J., Leimona, B., Pickering, T. & Rondeau, R., 01.01.2022, In: Global Environmental Change. 72, 17 p., 102422.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published
  37. Published

    Developments in Qualitative Mindfulness Practice Research: a Pilot Scoping Review

    Frank, P. & Marken, M., 01.01.2022, In: Mindfulness. 13, 1, p. 17-36 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    „Diklusion“ im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht – Aktuelle Positionen und Routenplanung

    Abels, S. & Stinken-Rösner, L., 01.01.2022, Digitale NAWIgation von Inklusion : Digitale Werkzeuge für einen inklusiven Naturwissenschaftsunterricht. Watts, E. M. & Hoffmann, C. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 5-20 16 p. (Edition Fachdidaktiken).

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

  39. Published

    Governance to manage the complexity of nature’s contributions to people co-production

    Isaac, R., Kachler, J., Winkler, K. J., Albrecht, E., Felipe-Lucia, M. R. & Martín-López, B., 01.01.2022, In: Advances in Ecological Research. 66, p. 293-321 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    How do professional designers engage with sustainability? A systematic literature review

    Mejía, G. M., Fischer, D., Silver, J., Xie, Y. & Fehler, M., 01.01.2022, In: Journal of Design Research. 20, 4, p. 297-317 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  41. Published

    Impact of early childhood education settings on the systems thinking skills of preschool children through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's theory

    Feriver, Ş., Olgan, R., Teksöz, G. & Barth, M., 01.01.2022, In: Systems Research and Behavioral Science. 39, 1, p. 85-103 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Knowledge sharing for shared success in the decade on ecosystem restoration

    Ladouceur, E., Shackelford, N., Bouazza, K., Brudvig, L., Bucharova, A., Conradi, T., Erickson, T. E., Garbowski, M., Garvy, K., Harpole, W. S., Jones, H. P., Knight, T. M., Nsikani, M. M., Paterno, G., Suding, K., Temperton, V., Török, P., Winkler, D. E. & Chase, J. M., 01.01.2022, In: Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 3, 1, 9 p., e12117.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Olive Mill Wastewater by Microalgae Grown Under Dark and Light Conditions

    Lindner, A. & Pleissner, D., 01.01.2022, In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 13, 1, p. 525-534 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Should Alexander von Humboldt Be Part of Contemporary Geography Education?

    Hoffmann, T., 01.01.2022, Alexander von Humboldt: Multiperspective Approaches. Falk, G. C., Strecker, M. R. & Schneider, S. (eds.). Springer International Publishing AG, p. 137-153 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  45. Published

    Structuring and advancing solution-oriented research for sustainability: This article belongs to Ambio’s 50th Anniversary Collection. Theme: Solutions-oriented research

    Lang, D. J. & Wiek, A., 01.01.2022, In: Ambio. 51, 1, p. 31-35 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Sustainable Green Technologies: The Brazilian Indigenous University Student Experience

    Crioni, R., Cássia Sudan, D. & Gomes Zuin, V., 01.01.2022, Handbook of Best Practices in Sustainable Development at University Level . Filho, W. L. & Vasconcelos, C. R. P. D. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 469-494 26 p. (World Sustainability Series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  47. Published

    Tertiäre Regulierung und Nachhaltigkeit: Eine interdisziplinäre Analyse der EU-Netzkodizes für Elektrizität

    Brüning-Pfeiffer, A., 01.01.2022, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. 230 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  48. Published

    The dark triad and corporate sustainability: An empirical analysis of personality traits of sustainability managers

    Pelster, M. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2022, In: Business Ethics, Environment and Responsibility. 31, 1, p. 80-99 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    The Immunisation against COVID-19 as a Global Public Good

    Bäumler, J. & Sarno, J., 01.01.2022, In: Zeitschrift für ausländisches öffentliches Recht und Völkerrecht . 82, 1, p. 159-193 35 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Variation in nectar quality across 34 grassland plant species

    Venjakob, C., Ruedenauer, F. A., Klein, A.-M. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.01.2022, In: Plant Biology. 24, 1, p. 134-144 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published