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. 2025
  2. Published

    Socio-demographic influences on environmental entrepreneurship: a systematic review

    Hörisch, J., Fokuhl, M., Behrens, I., Hörnstein, M. C. & Lehmann, U., 24.06.2025, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 17, 1, p. 88-116 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Alle für eine*n? Bündnisfälle im EUV und Nordatlantikvertrag

    Bartmann, E. & Jacobs, C., 19.06.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Indigenous and Local Communities' initiatives have transformative potential to guide shifts toward sustainability in South America

    Jimenez-Aceituno, A., Burgos-Ayala, A., Cepeda-Rodriguez, E., Lam, D. P. M. & Martin-Lopez, B., 19.06.2025, In: Communications Earth & Environment. 6, 1, 9 p., 481.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Efficacy of a Web-Based Stress Management Intervention for Beginning Teachers on Reducing Stress and Mechanisms of Change: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Heckendorf, H. & Lehr, D., 16.06.2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, 28 p., e58475.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    European Yearbook of International Economic Law 2024

    Bäumler, J. (Editor), Binder, C. (Editor), Bungenberg, M. (Editor), Krajewski, M. (Editor), Rühl, G. (Editor), Tams, C. J. (Editor), Terhechte, J. (Editor) & Ziegler, A. R. (Editor), 10.06.2025, Cham: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland. 448 p. (European Yearbook of International Economic Law; vol. 11)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  7. Published

    Dynamics of the polycrisis: Temporal trends, spatial distribution and co-occurrences of national shocks (1970-2019)

    Delannoy, L., Verzier, A., Bastien-Olvera, B. A., Benra, F., Nyström, M. & Jørgensen, P. S., 09.06.2025, In: Global Sustainability. 8, 32 p., e24.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Introduction to ‘Exploring the frontiers: unveiling new horizons in carbon efficient biomass utilization’

    Liu, Z. H., Li, B. Z., Yuan, J. S., Clark, J., Zeidler, V. Z., Laurens, L., Ragauskas, A. J., Coutinho, J. A. P. & Han, B., 02.06.2025, In: Green Chemistry . 27, 24, p. 6922-6924 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Deregulating to No Avail: How the Omnibus Package Falls Short in Simplifying Key EU Green Deal Instruments

    Bertram, A., 01.06.2025, In: Intereconomics. 60, 3, p. 170-175 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  10. Published

    Human-wildlife conflict in Rwanda: Linking ecoregion, changing conservation status and the local communities’ perception

    Sun, P., Bariyanga, J. D. & Wronski, T., 01.06.2025, In: Global Ecology and Conservation. 59, 17 p., e03550.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Mapping the intersection of planetary boundaries and environmentally extended input-output analysis: A systematic literature review

    León, M. F. G., Bankert, A., Becerra, D. T. & Abson, D. J., 01.06.2025, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 56, p. 546-560 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Beyond the Trail—Understanding Non-Native Plant Invasions in Mountain Ecosystems

    Barros, A., Fuentes Lillo, E., Aschero, V., Pauchard, A., Alvarez, M. A., Wedegärtner, R., Clavel, J., Müllerová, J., Pergl, J., Zong, S., Vítková, M., Klinerová, T., Cavieres, L. A., Larson, C., Rew, L. J., Seipel, T., Meffre, C., Arellano, T., Essl, F., Dullinger, S., Gwate, O., Clark, V. R., Achermann, M., Haider, S. & Lembrechts, J. J., 06.2025, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 34, 6, 14 p., e70060.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Changing the decision context to enable social learning for climate adaptation

    Colloff, M. J., Gorddard, R., Munera-Roldán, C., Locatelli, B., Lavorel, S., Allain, S., Bruley, E., Butler, J. R. A., Dubo, T., Enokenwa Baa, O., González-García, A., Lécuyer, L., Lo, M., Loos, J., Palomo, I., Topp, E., Vallet, A. & Walters, G., 06.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 6, p. 1425-1442 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Discussion on the validity of commonly used reliability indices in sports medicine and exercise science: a critical review with data simulations

    Warneke, K., Gronwald, T., Wallot, S., Magno, A., Hillebrecht, M. & Wirth, K., 06.2025, In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. 125, 6, p. 1511-1526 16 p., e0216065.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Sensemaking and abductive reasoning for transformative biodiversity conservation

    Cortés-Capano, G., Loos, J., Hausmann, A. & Kortetmäki, T., 06.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 6, p. 1296-1308 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Temporal changes in taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity across tree communities in subtropical Atlantic forests

    Freitag Kramer, J. M., Bordin, K. M., Bergamin, R. S., Klipel, J., Picolotto, R. C., Zanini, K. J., Zwiener, V. P. & Müller, S. C., 06.2025, In: Oikos. 2025, 6, 15 p., e10961.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    The Challenge of Introducing Sustainability-Oriented Innovation—An Ethnographic Study

    Śliwińska, I., Beńko, P., Breuer, H., Ciesielska, M., Ivanov, K., Kasz, J. & Matras-Postołek, K., 06.2025, In: Sustainable Development. 33, 3, p. 4191-4203 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Welcome home! Introducing SocSES: a society for inclusive and impactful social-ecological research

    de Vos, A., Quinlan, A., Biggs, R., Bennett, E. M., Martín-López, B., Norström, A. V., Peterson, G. D., Schoon, M., Allen, C. R., Andersson, E., Baird, J., Berbés-Blázquez, M., Berkes, F., Calderon-Contreras, R., Carpenter, S. R., Castro, A. J., Cumming, G. S., Falardeau, M., Liebrecht Fick, W., Folke, C., Galang, E. I. N. E., Gelcich, S., Gordon, L. J., Grimm, N. B., Hamilton, J., Hodbod, J., Speranza, C. I., Koch, L., Kosanic, A., Lembi, R., Locatelli, B., Malmborg, K., Manyani, A., Mathisonslee, M., Ocampo-Melgar, A., Psiuk, K., Queiroz, C., Riechers, M., Schultz, L., Selomane, O., Sherren, K., Spierenburg, M., Trimble, M., Turkelboom, F. & Wallington, C., 06.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 2, 32.

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

  19. E-pub ahead of print

    Does the relationship between sustainable human resource management and organizational identification vary by culture? Evidence from 35 countries based on GLOBE framework

    Author Collaboration of "Does the relationship between sustainable human resource management and organizational identification vary by culture? Evidence from 35 countries based on GLOBE framework", 29.05.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Central European Management Journal.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Inquiry-based learning as an approach to realize inclusive science education

    Hofer, E. & Abels, S., 29.05.2025, Innovative Teaching and Classroom Processes: Research Perspectives from Germany and China. Ehmke, T. & Chi-Kin Lee, J. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 74-87 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  21. Published

    Empirically Informed, Idiographic Networks of Concordant and Discordant Motives: An Experience Sampling Study With Network Analysis in Non-Clinical Participants

    Lüdtke, T., Steiner, F., Berger, T. & Westermann, S., 28.05.2025, In: Clinical Psychology in Europe. 7, 2, 21 p., e12305.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Utilization of acid whey and oat pomace in succinic acid fermentation

    Kleps, C., Malchow, R., Ettinger, J., Dalichow, J., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Pleissner, D., 25.05.2025, In: New Biotechnology. 86, p. 31-38 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. E-pub ahead of print

    Polycrisis patterns: applying system archetypes to crisis interactions

    Collste, D., Apetrei, C. I., Booth Sweeney, L., Boucher, J. L., Goh, J. C. L., Hamant, O., Mandl, C. E., Martin Mehers, G. S., Oda, R. & De Vries, B. J. M., 20.05.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Global Sustainability. 8, 11 p., e17.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  24. Published

    Home ranges of Sand Lizards, Lacerta agilis (Squamata: Sauria: Lacertidae), along railway tracks

    Janssen, A., Staab, M. & Rödel, M.-O., 15.05.2025, In: Salamandra. 61, 2, p. 240-255 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Between the lines: linking carbon management to carbon accounting actions in the pursuit of corporate decarbonization

    Johnson, M. P., Strobel, J. & Trencher, G., 13.05.2025, In: Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal. 38, 4, p. 1121-1148 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Efficacy of a Self-Guided Internet Intervention With Optional On-Demand Feedback Versus Digital Psychoeducation on Sleep Hygiene for University Students With Insomnia: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Zarski, A. C., Bernstein, K., Baumeister, H., Lehr, D., Wernicke, S., Küchler, A. M., Kählke, F., Spiegelhalder, K. & Ebert, D. D., 08.05.2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, e58024.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Digital Health Literacy of Children and Adolescents and Its Association With Sociodemographic Factors: Representative Study Findings From Germany

    Stauch, L., Renninger, D., Rangnow, P., Hartmann, A., Fischer, L., Dadaczynski, K. & Okan, O., 05.05.2025, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 27, 15 p., e69170.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    43. Decoding Spontaneous Thoughts From Brain Resting-State fMRI: Toward Understanding Rumination

    Dekker, R., Nakamura, A. T., Lins, A. M., Bammel, M., Huys, Q., Schuck, N. W. & Cai, M. B., 01.05.2025, In: Biological Psychiatry. 97, 9, Supplement, p. S112-S113 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearch

  29. Published

    Assessment of genetic diversity among seed transfer zones for multiple grassland plant species across Germany

    Durka, W., Michalski, S. G., Höfner, J., Bucharova, A., Kolář, F., Müller, C. M., Oberprieler, C., Šemberová, K., Bauer, M., Bernt, M., Bleeker, W., Brändel, S., Bucher, S. F., Eibes, P. M., Ewald, M., Goldberg, R., Grant, K., Haider, S., Harpke, A., Haun, F., Kaufmann, R., Korell, L., Kunzmann, D., Lauterbach, D., Leib, S., Lenzewski, N., Loritz, H., Madaj, A. M., Mainz, A. K., Meinecke, P., Mertens, H., Meyer, M. H., Musche, M., Ristow, M., Rosche, C., Roscher, C., Rutte, D., Schacherer, A., Schmidt, W., Schmoldt, J., Schneider, S., Schwarz, J. H., Skowronek, S., Socher, S. A., Stanik, N., Twerski, A., Weiß, K., Weiß, M., Wille, A., Zehm, A. & Zidorn, C., 01.05.2025, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 84, p. 50-60 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Canopy functional trait variation across Earth’s tropical forests

    Author collaboration for "Canopy functional trait variation across Earth’s tropical forests", Aguirre-Gutiérrez, J., Rifai, S. W., Deng, X., ter Steege, H., Thomson, E., Corral-Rivas, J. J. & Klipel, J., 01.05.2025, In: Nature. 641, 8061, p. 129-136 8 p., 16024.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    The global distribution of authorship in economics journals

    Aigner, E., Greenspon, J. & Rodrik, D., 01.05.2025, In: World Development. 189, 18 p., 106926.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Biodiversity on old permanent versus restored grassland is driven by small-scale land-use intensity and habitat connectivity

    Ernst, L. M., Thiele, J., Dieker, P., Temperton, V. M. & Dauber, J., 05.2025, In: Restoration Ecology. 33, 4, 15 p., e70029.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Development and Validation of the German Climate Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (GCAS-A)

    Voltmer, K. & Harloff, L., 05.2025, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 74, 4, p. 350-370 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Förderung von Mehrwegverpackungssystemen zur Verringerung des Verpackungsverbrauchs: Mögliche Maßnahmen zur Etablierung, Verbreitung und Optimierung von Mehrwegsystemen

    Rödig, L., Jepsen, D., Falkenstein, A., Zimmermann, T., Hauschke, F., Cayé, N., Schüler, K., Burger, A., Schomerus, T., Jacobj, H., Heckel, F., Gödde, J.-P., Seying, N. & Oppermann, A., 05.2025, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 338 p. (Texte/Umweltbundesamt; vol. 2025, no. 61).

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  35. Published

    Germination changes can restructure communities through priority effects

    Temperton, V. M., 05.2025, In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 40, 5, p. 426-427 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  36. Published

    Heterogeneity of demands for nature’s contributions to people and nature’s values by farmers: insights from the Kilimanjaro social-ecological system

    Sanya, J., Gross, M., Mwampamba, T. H., Pearson, J., Sesabo, J. K., Riechers, M., Kinabo, N. R., Krail, V. & Martín-López, B., 05.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 2, 49 p., 25.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Intellectual humility links to metacognitive ability

    Fischer, H., Kause, A. & Huff, M., 05.2025, In: Personality and Individual Differences. 238, 7 p., 113028.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    How, when and why do negotiators use reference points? A qualitative interview study with negotiation practitioners

    Mann, M., Trötschel, R., Warsitzka, M. & Hüffmeier, J., 28.04.2025, In: International Journal of Conflict Management. 36, 3, p. 481-513 33 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Feasibility of online group stress management training compared to web-based individual training for employees—a randomized pilot study

    Boß, L., Hannibal, S. & Lehr, D., 24.04.2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 12 p., 1524285.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. E-pub ahead of print

    The Impact of Sample Size on Reliability Metrics Stability in Isokinetic Strength Assessments: Does Size Matter?

    Warneke, K., Keiner, M., Wallot, S., Siegel, S. D., Günther, C., Wirth, K. & Puschkasch-Möck, S., 23.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. E-pub ahead of print

    Nonsterile Lactic Acid Production from Pulse Husks

    Krenz, L. M. M. & Pleissner, D., 22.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Assessing the Cultural Fit of a Digital Sleep Intervention for Refugees in Germany: Qualitative Study

    Blomenkamp, M., Kiesel, A., Baumeister, H., Lehr, D., Unterrainer, J., Sander, L. B. & Spanhel, K., 03.04.2025, In: JMIR Formative Research. 9, 15 p., e65412.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Biosphere Reserves as catalysts for sustainability transformations: five strategies to support place-based innovation

    Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 73, 6 p., 101508.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  44. Published

    Diversity on a small scale: phylogeography of the locally endemic dwarf succulent genus Oophytum (Aizoaceae) in the Knersvlakte of South Africa

    Schmidt, S. A., Schmiedel, U., Carstens, F., Rau, A.-L. & Rudolph-Bartsch, B., 01.04.2025, In: Annals of Botany. 135, 4, p. 735-756 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Green chemistry and sustainable chemistry related to water challenges: Solutions and prospects in a changing climate

    Mahjoub, B., Fersi, C., Bouteffeha, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 52, 11 p., 101000.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Characterising landscape homogenisation: a qualitative approach based on five case studies

    Cortés-Capano, G., Shumi, G., Raatikainen, K. J., Mahdavi-Nezhad, Z. & Loos, J., 04.2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 13 p., 2485282.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Comparison of proton and neutron cascades generated by proton beams in air, CO2, and CH4 environments

    de Oliveira Deros, M. A., Hoff, G., Nascimento, M. M., Pereira, E. G. & Pereira, L. G., 04.2025, In: European Physical Journal Plus. 140, 4, 285.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  49. Published

    Exploring Management Control Systems for Biodiversity: Insights from Three Food Companies

    Hübel, C. & Wenzig, J., 04.2025, In: Social and Environmental Accountability Journal. 45, 1, p. 42-72 31 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

    Ruppert, L. S., Staab, M., Rappa, N. J., Frey, J. & Segelbacher, G., 04.2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 4, 11 p., e71294.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Horizontal portability: A proposal for representing place-based relational values in research and policy

    Himes, A., Muraca, B., Allen, K., Chapman, M., Coelho-Junior, M. G., Cundill, G., Gould, R. K., Herrmann, T. M., Kenter, J. O., Nakachi, A. A., Nemogá, G. R., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Pearson, J., Rono, B., Saito, T., Tadaki, M. & Bonn, A., 04.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 4, p. 752-764 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

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