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. 2021
  2. Published

    Beyond practitioner and researcher: 15 roles adopted by actors in transdisciplinary and transformative research processes

    Hilger, A., Rose, M. & Keil, A., 01.11.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 6, p. 2049-2068 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Cultivation of the heterotrophic microalga Galdieria sulphuraria on food waste: A Life Cycle Assessment

    Thielemann, A. K., Smetana, S. & Pleissner, D., 01.11.2021, In: Bioresource Technology. 340, 7 p., 125637.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Discourses for deep transformation: perceptions of economic growth in two rural communities in Lower Saxony, Germany

    Lübker, H. M., Abson, D. J. & Riechers, M., 01.11.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 6, p. 1827-1840 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Eemian landscape response to climatic shifts and evidence for northerly Neanderthal occupation at a palaeolake margin in northern Germany

    Hein, M., Urban, B., Tanner, D. C., Buness, A. H., Tucci, M., Hoelzmann, P., Dietel, S., Kaniecki, M., Schultz, J., Kasper, T., Suchodoletz, H., Schwalb, A., Weiss, M. & Lauer, T., 01.11.2021, In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 46, 14, p. 2884-2901 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Klimapolitik: Hohe Erwartungen

    Kemfert, C., 01.11.2021, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 101, 11, p. 836 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Six modes of co-production for sustainability

    Chambers, J. M., Wyborn, C., Ryan, M. E., Reid, R. S., Riechers, M., Serban, A., Bennett, N. J., Cvitanovic, C., Fernández-Giménez, M. E., Galvin, K. A., Goldstein, B. E., Klenk, N. L., Tengö, M., Brennan, R., Cockburn, J. J., Hill, R., Munera, C., Nel, J. L., Österblom, H., Bednarek, A. T., Bennett, E. M., Brandeis, A., Charli-Joseph, L., Chatterton, P., Curran, K., Dumrongrojwatthana, P., Durán, A. P., Fada, S. J., Gerber, J. D., Green, J. M. H., Guerrero, A. M., Haller, T., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Leimona, B., Montana, J., Rondeau, R., Spierenburg, M., Steyaert, P., Zaehringer, J. G., Gruby, R., Hutton, J. & Pickering, T., 11.2021, In: Nature Sustainability. 4, 11, p. 983-996 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The potential of crowdfunding for sustainable development: a comparison of sustainable and conventional crowdfunding projects

    Tenner, I., 11.2021, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 13, 5, p. 508-527 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Acidification effects on in situ ammonia emissions and cereal yields depending on slurry type and application method

    Wagner, K. C., Nyord, T., Vestergaard, A. V., Hafner, S. D. & Pacholski, A. S., 27.10.2021, In: Agriculture (Switzerland). 11, 11, 20 p., 1053.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Naturschutz in Zeiten sozial-ökologischer Transformationen: Triebkraft oder Getriebener?

    Leibenath, M., Eser, U., Katz, C., Kurth, M., Ober, S., Poblocki, A. & Wessel, M. J. K., 22.10.2021, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 30, 3, p. 144-149 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Integrating indigenous and local knowledge in management and research on coastal ecosystems in the Global South: A literature review

    Loch, T. K. & Riechers, M., 15.10.2021, In: Ocean and Coastal Management. 212, 19 p., 105821.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Investigating the Persuasive Effects of Testimonials on the Acceptance of Digital Stress Management Trainings Among University Students and Underlying Mechanisms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Apolinário-Hagen, J., Fritsche, L., Wopperer, J., Wals, F., Harrer, M., Lehr, D., Ebert, D. D. & Salewski, C., 13.10.2021, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 11 p., 738950.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    CO2-Bepreisung und soziale Ungleichheit in Deutschland

    Gründinger, W., Bendling, L., Creutzig, F., Hagedorn, G., Kemfert, C., Neumärker, B., Praetorius, B. & Tvrtković, M., 05.10.2021, In: Momentum Quarterly - Zeitschrift für sozialen Fortschritt. 10, 3, p. 176-187 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  14. Published

    Heterotrophic cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria under non-sterile conditions in digestate and hydrolyzed straw

    Pleissner, D., Lindner, A. V. & Händel, N., 01.10.2021, In: Bioresource Technology. 337, 8 p., 125477.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    In search of maturity models in agritechs

    Mendes, J. A. J., Careta, C. B., Zuin, V. G. & Gerolamo, M. C., 01.10.2021, In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 839, 2, 10 p., 022083.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Phasing out and in: System transition through disassociation in the German energy transition – The case of light and coal

    David, M. & Schulte-Römer, N., 01.10.2021, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 80, 6 p., 102204.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    From grief to hope in conservation

    Fischer, J. & Riechers, M., 10.2021, In: Conservation Biology. 35, 5, p. 1698-1700 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Gone and forgotten: facilitative effects of intercropping combinations did not carry over to affect barley performance in a follow‑up crop rotation

    Kumar, A., Rosinger, C., Chen, H., Protic, S., Bonkowski, M. & Temperton, V., 10.2021, In: Plant and Soil. 467, 1-2, p. 405-419 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Limited effectiveness of EU policies to conserve an endangered species in high nature value farmland in Romania

    Loos, J., Gallersdörfer, J., Hartel, T., Dolek, M. & Sutcliffe, L., 10.2021, In: Ecology and Society. 26, 3, 11 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Limited knowledge flow among stakeholders of critically endangered renosterveld in South Africa

    Burghardt, S., Topp, E. N., Esler, K. J. & Loos, J., 10.2021, In: Ecology and Society. 26, 3, 17 p., 17.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Success of collaboration for sustainable agriculture: a case study meta-analysis

    Velten, S., Jager, N. W. & Newig, J., 10.2021, In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. 23, 10, p. 14619–14641 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Tree species richness promotes an early increase of stand structural complexity in young subtropical plantations

    Perles-Garcia, M. D., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 10.2021, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 58, 10, p. 2305-2314 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Understanding relational values in cultural landscapes in Romania and Germany

    Riechers, M., Balázsi, Á., Engler, J. O., Shumi, G. & Fischer, J., 10.2021, In: People and Nature. 3, 5, p. 1036-1046 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Woody plant species diversity and composition in and around Debre Libanos church forests of North Shoa Zone of Oromiya, Ethiopia

    Koricho, H. H., Shumi, G., Gebreyesus, T., Song, S. & Fufa, F., 10.2021, In: Journal of Forestry Research. 32, 5, p. 1929-1939 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Worse is worse and better doesn't matter? The effects of favorable and unfavorable environmental information on consumers’ willingness to pay

    Petersen, L., Hörisch, J. & Jacobs, K., 10.2021, In: Journal of Industrial Ecology. 25, 5, p. 1338-1356 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Implementing education for sustainable development in the German school system: Implications for teacher education

    Barth, M. & Kater-Wettstädt, L., 28.09.2021, Quality in Teacher Education and Professional Development: Chinese and German Perspectives. Chi-Kin Lee, J. & Ehmke, T. (eds.). London: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 157-175 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  27. Published

    Strengthening gender justice in a just transition: A research agenda based on a systematic map of gender in coal transitions

    Walk, P., Braunger, I., Semb, J., Brodtmann, C., Oei, P. Y. & Kemfert, C., 21.09.2021, In: Energies. 14, 18, 27 p., 5985.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Toward Application and Implementation of in Silico Tools and Workflows within Benign by Design Approaches

    Lorenz, S., Amsel, A. K., Puhlmann, N., Reich, M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 20.09.2021, In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. 9, 37, p. 12461-12475 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Auf die Temperatur kommt es an! Untersuchung der Temperaturtoleranz mit der Wärmebildkamera

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Rodenhauser, A., 15.09.2021, In: Digital unterrichten. Biologie. 2021, 7, p. 8-9 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsEducation

  30. Published

    Dinotefuran alters Collembola-fungi-bacteria interactions that control mineralization of maize and soil organic carbon

    Yu, Z., Schmidt, O., Zhao, Y., Liu, M., Kumar, A., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 15.09.2021, In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. 418, 11 p., 126391.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Following Health Measures in the Pandemic: A Matter of Values?

    Schuster, C., 14.09.2021, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 17 p., 731799.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Learning to collaborate from diverse interactions in project-based sustainability courses

    Konrad, T., Wiek, A. & Barth, M., 02.09.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 17, 15 p., 9884.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Actors in transitions: narratives of roles and change in the German e-mobility transition

    Upham, P. & Gathen, L., 01.09.2021, In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 40, p. 450-460 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Added value of convection-permitting simulations for understanding future urban humidity extremes: case studies for Berlin and its surroundings

    Langendijk, G. S., Rechid, D., Sieck, K. & Jacob, D., 01.09.2021, In: Weather and Climate Extremes. 33, 14 p., 100367.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    “Beyond nature and culture: relational perspectives on the Wadden Sea landscape”

    Döring, M., Walsh, C. & Egberts, L., 01.09.2021, In: Maritime Studies. 20, 3, p. 225-234 10 p.

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

  36. Published

    Biophysical variability and politico-economic singularity: Responses of livestock numbers in South Mongolian nomadic pastoralism

    Engler, J. O., Wesche, K., Kaczensky, P., Dhakal, P., Chuluunkhuyag, O. & von Wehrden, H., 01.09.2021, In: Ecological Economics. 187, 13 p., 107073.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Collaborative design prototyping in transdisciplinary research: An approach to heterogeneity and unknowns

    Peukert, D. & Vilsmaier, U., 01.09.2021, In: Futures. 132, 10 p., 102808.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published
  39. Published

    Diversity matters: the influence of gender diversity on the environmental orientation of entrepreneurial ventures

    Tenner, I. & Hörisch, J., 01.09.2021, In: Journal of Business Economics. 91, 7, p. 1005-1023 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Learning spaces in multi-stakeholder initiatives: The German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles as a platform for dialogue and learning?

    Beyers, F. & Leventon, J., 01.09.2021, In: Earth System Governance. 9, 13 p., 100113.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Leverage points to foster human–nature connectedness in cultural landscapes

    Riechers, M., Pătru-Dușe, I. A. & Balázsi, Á., 01.09.2021, In: Ambio. 50, 9, p. 1670-1680 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Leveraging inner sustainability through cross-cultural learning: evidence from a Quichua field school in Ecuador

    Gray, K. & Manuel-Navarrete, D., 01.09.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 5, p. 1459-1473 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Life cycle assessment of hetero- and phototrophic as well as combined cultivations of Galdieria sulphuraria

    Thielemann, A. K., Smetana, S. & Pleissner, D., 01.09.2021, In: Bioresource Technology. 335, 7 p., 125227.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Reprint of: Tree-tree interactions and crown complementarity: the role of functional diversity and branch traits for canopy packing

    Hildebrand, M., Perles-Garcia, M. D., Kunz, M., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G. & Fichtner, A., 01.09.2021, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 55, p. 53-63 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Social dynamics of community resilience building in the face of climate change: the case of three Scottish communities

    Fazey, I., Carmen, E., Ross, H., Rao-Williams, J., Hodgson, A., Searle, B. A., AlWaer, H., Kenter, J. O., Knox, K., Butler, J. R. A., Murray, K. A., Smith, F. M., Stringer, L. C. & Thankappan, S., 01.09.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 5, p. 1731-1747 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Spent mushroom substrate and sawdust to produce mycelium-based thermal insulation composites

    Schritt, H., Vidi, S. & Pleissner, D., 01.09.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 313, 8 p., 127910.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    The patterns of curriculum change processes that embed sustainability in higher education institutions

    Weiss, M., Barth, M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.09.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 5, p. 1579-1593 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    The significance of tree-tree interactions for forest ecosystem functioning

    Trogisch, S., Liu, X., Rutten, G., Xue, K., Bauhus, J., Brose, U., Bu, W., Cesarz, S., Chesters, D., Connolly, J., Cui, X., Eisenhauer, N., Guo, L., Haider, S., Härdtle, W., Kunz, M., Liu, L., Ma, Z., Neumann, S., Sang, W., Schuldt, A., Tang, Z., van Dam, N. M., von Oheimb, G., Wang, M. Q., Wang, S., Weinhold, A., Wirth, C., Wubet, T., Xu, X., Yang, B., Zhang, N., Zhu, C. D., Ma, K., Wang, Y. & Bruelheide, H., 01.09.2021, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 55, p. 33-52 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Towards the design of organosilicon compounds for environmental degradation by using structure biodegradability relationships

    Grabitz, E., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.09.2021, In: Chemosphere. 279, 12 p., 130442.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Forestry contributed to warming of forest ecosystems in northern Germany during the extreme summers of 2018 and 2019

    Blumröder, J. S., May, F., Härdtle, W. & Ibisch, P. L., 09.2021, In: Ecological Solutions and Evidence. 2, 3, 14 p., e12087.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Group-level physiological synchrony and individual-level anxiety predict positive affective behaviors during a group decision-making task

    Gordon, I., Wallot, S. & Berson, Y., 09.2021, In: Psychophysiology. 58, 9, 14 p., e13857.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review