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

    Local and landscape responses of biodiversity in calcareous grasslands

    Loos, J., Krauss, J., Lyons, A., Föst, S., Ohlendorf, C., Racky, S., Röder, M., Hudel, L., Herfert, V. & Tscharntke, T., 07.2021, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 30, 8-9, p. 2415-2432 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    “Plantas que toda la vida han estado”: una co-investigación alrededor de la cocina y las relaciones bioculturales asociadas a plantas alimenticias locales en la ruralidad de Bogotá

    Consuegra, C., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Cely-Santos, M., van der Hammen, M. C. & Pérez, D., 07.2021, In: Revista de Antropología y Sociología: Virajes. 23, 2, p. 163-185 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Sustainability in Business: Integrated Management of Value Creation and Disvalue Mitigation

    Beckmann, M. & Schaltegger, S., 28.06.2021, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management. Aldag, R. J. (ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 24 p. (Oxford Research Encyclopedias).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  6. Published

    Concentrations and sources of methylxanthines in a Northern German river system

    Löher, F., Palm, W. U., Schaffer, M. & Olsson, O., 25.06.2021, In: Science of the Total Environment. 775, 145898.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Towards a caring transdisciplinary research practice: navigating science, society and self

    Sellberg, M. M., Cockburn, J., Holden, P. B. & Lam, D. P. M., 23.06.2021, In: Ecosystems and People. 17, 1, p. 292-305 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Machine learning for optimization of energy and plastic consumption in the production of thermoplastic parts in SME

    Willenbacher, M., Scholten, J. & Wohlgemuth, V., 16.06.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 12, 20 p., 6800.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Terry Erwin’s legacy: from taxonomy and natural history to biodiversity research and conservation biology

    Assmann, T., 16.06.2021, In: ZooKeys. 1044, p. 23-39 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The ground beetle tribe platynini bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera, carabidae) in the southern levant: Dichotomous and interactive identification tools, ecological traits, and distribution

    Assmann, T., Boutaud, E., Buse, J., Drees, C., Friedman, A. L. L., Harry, I., Khoury, F., Orbach, E., Renan, I., Schmidt, C., Schmidt, K., Wrase, D. W. & Zumstein, P., 16.06.2021, In: ZooKeys. 2021, 1044, p. 449-478 30 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    What shapes ground beetle assemblages in a tree species-rich subtropical forest?

    Zumstein, P., Bruelheide, H., Fichtner, A., Schuldt, A., Staab, M., Härdtle, W., Zhou, H. & Aßmann, T., 16.06.2021, In: ZooKeys. 2021, 1044, p. 907-927 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Complexity in Water Management and Governance

    Kirschke, S. & Newig, J., 12.06.2021, Handbook of Water Resources Management: Discourses, Concepts and Examples. Bogardi, J. J., Gupta, J., Nandalal, K. D. W., Salamé, L., van Nooijen, R. R. P., Kumar, N., Tingsanchali, T., Bhaduri, A. & Kolechkina, A. G. (eds.). Cham: Springer Nature AG, p. 801-810 10 p.

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

  13. Published

    Boundary speak in sustainability studies: Computational reading of a transversal field

    Herberg, J., Schmitz, S., Stasiak, D. & Schmieg, G., 10.06.2021, In: Science and Public Policy. 48, 3, p. 398-411 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  14. Published

    Leveraging Biodiversity Action From Plural Values: Transformations of Governance Systems

    Leventon, J., Duşe, I. A. & Horcea-Milcu, A. I., 04.06.2021, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9, 609853.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Sustainable Public Administration, Special Issue in Sustainability

    Heinrichs, H. (Editor) & Laws, N. (Editor), 04.06.2021, Basel: MDPI AG. (Sustainability; vol. 13, no. 11)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  16. Published

    Promoting recovery in daily life: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

    Reis, D., Hart, A., Lehr, D. & Friese, M., 02.06.2021, In: BMC psychology. 9, 1, 15 p., 91.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Quality and Adoption of COVID-19 Tracing Apps and Recommendations for Development: Systematic Interdisciplinary Review of European Apps

    Kahnbach, L., Lehr, D., Brandenburger, J., Mallwitz, T., Jent, S., Hannibal, S., Funk, B. & Janneck, M., 02.06.2021, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23, 6, 18 p., e27989.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Chronobiologische Aspekte der Insomnie

    Ell, J., Benz, F., Walter, N., Steinmetz, L., Brueckner, H., Lehr, D., Riemann, D. & Spiegelhalder, K., 01.06.2021, In: Somnologie. 25, 2, p. 110-118 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  19. Published

    Ecosystem services from (pre-)Alpine grasslands: Matches and mismatches between citizens’ perceived suitability and farmers’ management considerations

    Schmitt, T. M., Martín-López, B., Kaim, A., Früh-Müller, A. & Koellner, T., 01.06.2021, In: Ecosystem Services. 49, 11 p., 101284.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Editorial: Sustainable public administration

    Heinrichs, H. & Laws, N., 01.06.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 11, 3 p., 6382.

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

  21. Published

    Entwicklung und Umsetzung eines Monitoringsystems zur Analyse der Akteursstruktur bei Freiflächen-Photovoltaik und der Windenergie an Land: Ergebnisse des Monitorings und Empfehlungen

    Weiler, K., Weber, A., Grashof, K., Holstenkamp, L. & Ehrtmann, M., 01.06.2021, Dressau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 203 p. (Climate Change; no. 49/2021).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  22. Published

    Investing into third generation nuclear power plants - Review of recent trends and analysis of future investments using Monte Carlo Simulation

    Wealer, B., Bauer, S., Hirschhausen, C. V., Kemfert, C. & Göke, L., 01.06.2021, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 143, 110836.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  23. Published

    Klimaschutz: Die beste Schuldenbremse

    Kemfert, C., 01.06.2021, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 101, 6, p. 408-408 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  24. Published

    Leverage points for addressing marine and coastal pollution: A review

    Riechers, M., Brunner, B. P., Dajka, J. C., Dușe, I. A., Lübker, H. M., Manlosa, A. O., Sala, J. E., Schaal, T. & Weidlich, S., 01.06.2021, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 167, 10 p., 112263.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  25. Published

    Sustainable consumption communication: A review of an emerging field of research

    Fischer, D., Reinermann, J. L., Guillen Mandujano, G., DesRoches, C. T., Diddi, S. & Vergragt, P. J., 01.06.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 300, 14 p., 126880.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  26. Published

    The new European database for chemicals of concern: How useful is SCIP for waste management?

    Friege, H., Zeschmar-Lahl, B., Kummer, B. & Wagner, J., 01.06.2021, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 21, 100430.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Business Model Experimentation for the Circular Economy: Definition and Approaches

    Bocken, N. M. P., Weissbrod, I. & Antikainen, M., 06.2021, In: Circular Economy and Sustainability. 1, 1, p. 49-81 33 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Decision Support System

    Schrickel, I., 06.2021, Enzyklopädie der Genauigkeit. Krajewski, M., von Schöning, A. & Wimmer, M. (eds.). Konstanz: Konstanz University Press, p. 62-73 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  29. Published

    Ein Unterstützungsraster zur Planung und Reflexion inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts

    González, L. F., Fühner, L., Sührig, L., Weck, H., Weirauch, K. & Abels, S., 06.2021, Naturwissenschaftsdidaktik und Inklusion. Abels, S., Hundertmark, S., Nehring, A., Schildknecht, R., Seremet, V. & Sun, X. (eds.). Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag, p. 191-215 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducationpeer-review

  30. Published

    Experimentieren 4.0 – Zum Einsatz von Experimenten im Biologieunterricht

    Stinken-Rösner, L., 06.2021, In: Digital unterrichten. Biologie. 2021, 6, p. 3-3 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsEducation

  31. Published

    Naturwissenschaftsdidaktik und Inklusion

    Hundertmark, S. (Editor), Sun, X. (Editor), Abels, S. (Editor), Nehring, A. (Editor), Schildknecht, R. (Editor), Seremet, V. (Editor) & Lindmeier, C. (Editor), 06.2021, Weinheim, Basel: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 282 p. (Beiheft Sonderpädagogische Förderung heute; no. 4)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesEducation

  32. Published

    Rhizosphere microbiome modulated effects of biochar on ryegrass 15N uptake and rhizodeposited 13C allocation in soil

    Fu, Y., Kumar, A., Chen, L., Jiang, Y., Ling, N., Wang, R., Pan, Q., Singh, B. P., Redmile-Gordon, M., Luan, L., Li, Q., Shi, Q., Reid, B. J., Fang, Y., Kuzyakov, Y., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 06.2021, In: Plant and Soil. 463, 1-2, p. 359-377 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Well done (for someone of your gender)! Experimental evidence of teachers’ stereotype-based shifting standards for test grading and elaborated feedback

    Schuster, C., Narciss, S. & Bilz, J., 06.2021, In: Social Psychology of Education. 24, 3, p. 809-834 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Forests, farms, and fallows: The dynamics of tree cover transition in the southern part of the uluguru mountains, tanzania

    Mpanda, M., Kashindye, A., Aynekulu, E., Jonas, E., Rosenstock, T. S. & Giliba, R. A., 28.05.2021, In: Land. 10, 6, 15 p., 571.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    International scaling of sustainability continuing professional development for in-service teachers

    Redman, E., Murphy, C., Mancilla, Y., Mallon, B., Kater-Wettstädt, L., Barth, M., Ortiz, M. G., Smith, G. & Kelly, O., 27.05.2021, In: Interdisziplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education. 17, 3, 13 p., e2243.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  36. Published

    Environmental Accounting and the Management Challenge

    Burritt, R., Schaltegger, S. & Christ, K. L., 26.05.2021, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. Shugart, H. H. (ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 19 p. (Oxford Research Encyclopedias).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  37. Published

    Exploring the influence of testimonial source on attitudes towards e-mental health interventions among university students: Four-group randomized controlled trial

    Apolinário-Hagen, J., Harrer, M., Dederichs, M., Fritsche, L., Wopperer, J., Wals, F., Loerbroks, A., Lehr, D., Salewski, C., Angerer, P. & Ebert, D. D., 26.05.2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 5, 24 p., e0252012.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: Health-economic evaluation from the societal and public health care perspective alongside a randomized controlled trial

    Buntrock, C., Lehr, D., Smit, F., Horvath, H., Berking, M., Spiegelhalder, K., Riper, H. & Ebert, D. D., 24.05.2021, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23, 5, e25609.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Assessing nature-based solutions for transformative change

    Palomo, I., Locatelli, B., Otero, I., Colloff, M. J., Crouzat, E., Cuni-Sanchez, A., Gómez-Baggethun, E., González-García, A., Grêt-Regamey, A., Jiménez-Aceituno, A., Martín-López, B., Pascual, U., Zafra-Calvo, N., Bruley, E., Fischborn, M., Metz, R. & Lavorel, S., 21.05.2021, In: One Earth. 4, 5, p. 730-741 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Happy just because. A cross-cultural study on subjective wellbeing in three Indigenous societies

    Reyes-Garcia, V., Gallois, S., Pyhala, A., Diaz-Reviriego, I., Fernandez-Llamazares, A., Galbraith, E., Miñarro, S. & Napitupulu, L., 13.05.2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 5, 16 p., e0251551.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Human-nature connectedness as leverage point

    Riechers, M., Balázsi, Á., García-Llorente, M. & Loos, J., 13.05.2021, In: Ecosystems and People. 17, 1, p. 215-221 7 p.

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

  42. Published

    Energy conservation attitudes and intentions: investigating place attachment in Eastern Transylvania, Romania

    Klaniecki, K., Duse, I. A., Engler, J. O., Leventon, J. & Abson, D. J., 05.05.2021, In: Psyecology. 12, 2, p. 177-201 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Teaching the Teachers about Language Support Strategies: Effects on Young Children’s Language Development

    Voltmer, K., Hormann, O., Pietsch, M., Mähler, C. & Salisch, M., 04.05.2021, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 11 p., 660750.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Evidence for the age and timing of environmental change associated with a Lower Palaeolithic site within the Middle Pleistocene Reinsdorf sequence of the Schöningen coal mine, Germany

    Tucci, M., Krahn, K. J., Richter, D., van Kolfschoten, T., Álvarez, B. R., Verheijen, I., Serangeli, J., Lehmann, J., Degering, D., Schwalb, A. & Urban, B., 01.05.2021, In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 569, 110309.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Just another buzzword? A systematic literature review of knowledge-related concepts in sustainability science

    Apetrei, C. I., Caniglia, G., von Wehrden, H. & Lang, D. J., 01.05.2021, In: Global Environmental Change. 68, 33 p., 102222.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  46. Published

    A leverage points perspective on institutions for food security in a smallholder-dominated landscape in southwestern Ethiopia

    Jiren, T. S., Riechers, M., Bergsten, A. & Fischer, J., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 767-779 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    A leverage points perspective on social networks to understand sustainability transformations: evidence from Southern Transylvania

    Lam, D. P. M., Martín-López, B., Horcea-Milcu, A. I. & Lang, D. J., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 809-826 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Biochar decreased rhizodeposits stabilization via opposite effects on bacteria and fungi: diminished fungi-promoted aggregation and enhanced bacterial mineralization

    Chen, Z., Kumar, A., Fu, Y., Singh, B. P., Ge, T., Tu, H., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 05.2021, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 57, 4, p. 533-546 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

    Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., Schweizer-Ries, P. & Wamsler, C., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 841-858 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformations: nine guiding questions for sustainability science and practice

    Leventon, J., Abson, D. J. & Lang, D. J., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 721-726 6 p.

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

  51. Published

    Circular Business Models: OVercoming Barriers, Unleashing Potentials

    Schomerus, T., Hansen, E. G., Ahle, U., Alcayaga, A., Blomsma, F., Büchle, D., Denker, A.-K., Fichter, K., Fiolka, K., Fröhling, M., Häge, A., Hoffmann, V., Jaeger-Erben, M., Kohl, H., Lüdeke-Freund, F., Nitz, T., Schiller, C., Tauer, R., Tischner, C., Vollkommer, D., Wilhelm, D. & Zefferer, H., 29.04.2021, München: acatech/SYSTEMIQ, 150 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsTransfer