School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 publications › Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 anthologies › Collected editions and anthologies › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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/works › Chapter › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Conference abstract in journal › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 paper › Research communication reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Ancestral cuisine as regenerative social technologies in Amazon: eco-humanist perspectives towards a critical sustainable chemistry
Zonta, A. L. & Zuin, V. G., 04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 52, 7 p., 101006.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- 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 contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
