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

    Farmers' perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies in South Africa's Western Cape

    Talanow, K., Topp, E., Loos, J. & Martín-López, B., 01.01.2021, In: Journal of Rural Studies. 81, p. 203-219 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Global patterns of ecologically unequal exchange: Implications for sustainability in the 21st century

    Dorninger, C., Hornborg, A., Abson, D., von Wehrden, H., Schaffartzik, A., Giljum, S., Engler, J. O., Feller, R. L., Hubacek, K. & Wieland, H., 01.01.2021, In: Ecological Economics. 179, 14 p., 106824.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Making the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration a Social-Ecological Endeavour

    Fischer, J., Riechers, M., Loos, J., Martín-López, B. & Temperton, V. M., 01.01.2021, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 36, 1, p. 20-28 9 p., 2749.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  5. Published

    Microwave-assisted extraction and matrix solid-phase dispersion as green analytical chemistry sample preparation techniques for the valorisation of mango processing waste

    Segatto, M. L., Zanotti, K. & Zuin, V. G., 01.01.2021, In: Current Research in Chemical Biology. 1, 8 p., 100007.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Role of images in constructing public opinion about environmental matters in Malaysia

    Saleh, M. S. M., Heinrichs, H. & Hasan, N. N. N., 01.01.2021, In: International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development. 12, 1, p. 115-130 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Temporal dynamics and ecotoxicological risk assessment of personal care products, phthalate ester plasticizers, and organophosphorus flame retardants in water from Lake Victoria, Uganda

    Nantaba, F., Palm, W. U., Wasswa, J., Bouwman, H., Kylin, H. & Kümmerer, K., 01.01.2021, In: Chemosphere. 262, 11 p., 127716.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The coronavirus pandemic as an analogy for future sustainability challenges

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. & Wehrden, H., 01.01.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 1, p. 317-319 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  9. Published

    The role of social identity in institutional work for sociotechnical transitions: The case of transport infrastructure in Berlin

    Becker, S., Bögel, P. & Upham, P., 01.01.2021, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 162, 11 p., 120385.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    To separate or not to separate: what is necessary and enough for a green and sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from Brazilian citrus waste

    Zuin, V. G., Ramin, L. Z., Segatto, M. L., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K., Forim, M. R., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F. & Fernandes, J. B., 01.01.2021, In: Pure and Applied Chemistry. 93, 1, p. 13-27 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Key competencies in sustainability in higher education - toward an agreed-upon reference framework

    Brundiers, K., Barth, M., Cebrián, G., Cohen, M., Diaz, L., Doucette-Remington, S., Harré, N., Jarchow, M., Losch, K., Michel, J., Zint, M., Mochizuki, Y., Rieckmann, M., Parnell, R. & Walker, P., 01.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 1, p. 13-29 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Priority effects and ecological restoration

    Weidlich, E. W. A., Nelson, C., Maron, J. L., Callaway, R. M., Delory, B. & Temperton, V. M., 01.2021, In: Restoration Ecology. 29, 1, 11 p., e13317.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    Sol-gel technology for greener and more sustainable antimicrobial textiles that use silica matrices with C, and Ag and ZnO as biocides

    Igal, K., Zanotti, K., Zuin, V. G. & Vazquez, P., 01.2021, In: Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 4, 11 p., 100177.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Toward “hardened” accountability? Analyzing the European Union's hybrid transnational governance in timber and biofuel supply chains

    Moser, C. & Leipold, S., 01.2021, In: Regulation & Governance. 15, 1, p. 115-132 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Towards a relational paradigm in sustainability research, practice, and education

    Walsh, Z., Böhme, J. & Wamsler, C., 01.2021, In: Ambio. 50, 1, p. 74-84 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    8. Workshop Umweltinformatik zwischen Nachhaltigkeit und Wandel (UINW 2020)

    Naumann, S., Voigt, K., Kern, E., Wohlgemuth, V. & Behrens, G., 2021, 50. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft fur Informatik: Back to the Futures, INFORMATIK 2020. Reussner, R. H., Koziolek, A. & Heinrich, R. (eds.). Bonn: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., p. 221-223 3 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. P-307).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherTransfer

  17. Published

    A Fictional Risk Narrative and Its Potential for Social Resonance: Reception of Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior in Reviews and Reading Groups

    Fücker, S., Auguscik, A., Kirchhofer, A. & Schimank, U., 2021, Under the Literary Microscope: Science and Society in the Contemporary Novel . Farzin, S., Gaines, S. & Haynes, R. (eds.). University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, p. 218-248 31 p. 10. (AnthropoScene: The SLSA Book Series; vol. 7).

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

  18. Published

    Analysis of life cycle datasets for the material gold

    Fritz, B. & Schmidt, M., 2021, Progress in Life Cycle Assessment 2019 . Albrecht, S., Fischer, M., Leistner, P. & Schebek, L. (eds.). Cham: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 99-112 14 p. (Sustainable Production, Life Cycle Engineering and Management).

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

  19. Published

    Arable vegetation of calcareous soils (Caucalidion) Plant community of the year 2022: Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2022

    Bergmeier, E., Meyer, S., Pape, F., Dierschke, H., Härdtle, W., Heinken, T., Hoelzel, N., Remy, D., Schwabe, A., Tischew, S. & Schneider, S., 2021, In: Tuexenia. 41, p. 299-350 52 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    ATEM 3-9 Adaptiver Test des Emotionswissens: Manual

    Voltmer, K. & Salisch, M., 2021, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. 68 p. (SpringerTests)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Biokunststoffe = umweltfreundlich? Ein Nachhaltigkeitsprojekt von Lernenden, Lehrenden, Wissenschaftlern und Wissenschaftlerinnen

    Abels, S., Pleissner, D. & Reichelt, A., 2021, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 32, 183, p. 40-44 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  22. Published

    Community Energy in Germany: From Technology Pioneers to Professionalisation under Uncertainty

    Holstenkamp, L., 2021, Renewable Energy Communities and the Low Carbon Energy Transition in Europe. Coenen, F. H. J. M. & Hoppe, T. (eds.). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 119-152 34 p.

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

  23. Published

    Der Beitrag nachhaltiger Raumentwicklung zur großen Transformation: Impulse für neue Strategien

    Warner, B., Malburg-Graf, B., Hofmeister, S., Kanning, H. & Kufeld, W., 2021, Hannover: ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, 18 p. (Positionspapier aus der ARL; no. 121).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  24. Published

    Die Feststellung der energiepolitischen und energiewirtschaftlichen Notwendigkeit des Tagebaus Garzweiler II nach § 48 Kohleverstromungsbeendigungsgesetz (KVBG) – rechtspolitisch verfehlt und verfassungswidrig?

    Schomerus, T., 2021, Kohleausstiegsgesetz: Inhalt und Folgen. Frenz, W. & Preuße, A. (eds.). Clausthal-Zellerfeld: GDMB Gesellschaft der Metallurgen und Bergleute e.V., Vol. 149. p. 109-127 19 p. (Schriftenreihe der GDMB Gesellschaft der Metallurgen und Bergleute e.V.; vol. 149).

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

  25. Published

    Die Krise feministischer Positionen in Zeiten der Pandemie: Zwischen Sorgen für das ‚gute Leben’ und Herrschen gegen die ‚Natur’

    Hofmeister, S. & Mölders, T., 2021, In: Journal Netzwerk Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung NRW . 49, p. 48-53 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Digitale Medien als Mittler im Spannungsfeld zwischen naturwissenschaftlichem Unterricht und inklusiver Pädagogik

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2021, Naturwissenschaftsdidaktik und Inklusion. Hundermark, S., Sun, X., Abels, S., Nehring, A., Schildknecht, R., Seremet, V. & Lindmeier, C. (eds.). Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag, p. 161-175 15 p. (Sonderpädagogische Förderung heute, Beiheft; vol. 4).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  27. Published
  28. Published

    Effectiveness of a Guided Internet- and Mobile-Based Intervention for Patients with Chronic Back Pain and Depression (WARD-BP): A Multicenter, Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

    Baumeister, H., Paganini, S., Sander, L. B., Lin, J., Schlicker, S., Terhorst, Y., Moshagen, M., Bengel, J., Lehr, D. & Ebert, D. D., 2021, In: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 90, 4, p. 255-268 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Eine Experimentelle Unterrichtseinheit zum Treibhauseffekt: Experimente mit der Wärmebildkamera & Co

    Stinken-Rösner, L., 2021, In: PLUS LUCIS. 2021, 3, p. 20-25 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  30. Published

    Engineered Societies

    Flack, J. C. & Laubichler, M. D., 2021, Worlds Hidden in Plain Sight: Thirty Years of Complexity Thinking at the Santa Fe Institute 1984-2019. Krakauer, D. C. (ed.). The Santa FE Institute Presse (SFI), p. 257-264 8 p.

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

  31. Published
  32. Published

    Forest Ecosystems: A functional and biodiversity perspective

    Fichtner, A. & Härdtle, W., 2021, Perspectives for Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Hobohm, C. (ed.). Cham: Springer, p. 383-405 23 p. 16. (Environmental Challenges and Solutions).

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

  33. Published

    Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen

    Salisch, M. (Editor), Hormann, O. (Editor), Cloos, P. (Editor), Koch, K. (Editor) & Mähler, C. (Editor), 2021, Münster: Waxmann Verlag. 195 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  34. Published

    Für Natur sorgen? Dilemmata feministischer Positionierungen zwischen Sorge- und Herrschaftsverhältnissen

    Hofmeister, S. (Editor) & Mölders, T. (Editor), 2021, 1 ed. Opladen: Verlag Babara Budrich. 236 p. ( L'AGENda; vol. 7)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  35. Published

    Hinweise und Empfehlungen zu Vermeidungsmaßnahmen bei Erdkabelvorhaben: Ergebnisse des gleichnamigen F+E-Vorhabens (FKZ 3518 86 0700)

    Runge, K., Schomerus, T., Gronowski, L., Müller, A. & Rickert, C., 2021, Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, 208 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 606).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  36. Published

    Implementation digitaler Medien in die naturwissenschaftliche Lehramtsausbildung

    Stinken-Rösner, L., 2021, Fachliche Bildung und digitale Transformation - Fachdidaktische Forschung und Diskurse: Fachtagung der Gesellschaft für Fachdidaktik 2020. Maurer, C., Rincke, K. & Hemmer, M. (eds.). Regensburg: Universität Regensburg, p. 181-184 4 p.

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

  37. Published

    Inklusion als Phänomen in Chemie- und Physikdidaktik – Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede

    Abels, S. & Stinken-Rösner, L., 2021, Schulische Inklusion als Phänomen – Phänomene schulischer Inklusion: Fachdidaktische Spezifika und Eigenlogiken schulischer Inklusion. Braksiek, M., Golus, K., Gröben, B., Heinrich, M., Schildhauer, P. & Streblow, L. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 273-292 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  38. Published

    Inklusion und Naturwissenschaften systematisch verknüpfen

    Stinken-Rösner, L., Abels, S., Hundertmark, S., Menthe, J., Nehring, A. & Rott, L., 2021, Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht und Lehrerbildung im Umbruch?: Online Jahrestagung 2020 der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik. Habig, S. (ed.). Duisburg: Universität Duisburg-Essen, p. 169-172 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik (GDCP); vol. 41).

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

  39. Published

    Inklusive Begabungsförderung im Chemieunterricht

    Abels, S. & Brauns, S., 2021, Inklusive Begabungsförderung in den Fachdidaktiken: Diskurse, Forschungslinien und Praxisbeispiele. Kiso, C. J. & Fränkel, S. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 111-123 13 p.

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

  40. Published

    Introduction: Perspectives on Resilience Research

    Halberstadt, J. & Faasch, H., 2021, Resilience, Entrepreneurship and ICT: Latest Research from Germany, South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. Halberstadt, J., Gomez, J. M., Greyling, J., Kaunapawa Mufeti, T. & Faasch, H. (eds.). Cham: Springer, p. xiii-xxix 17 p. (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics and Governance).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  41. Published

    Land use change and the future of biodiversity

    Hobohm, C., Beierkuhnlein, C., Börtitz, C., Clark, V. R., El Balti, N., Fichtner, A., Franklin, S., Gaens, T., Härdtle, W., Hansen, A. S., Janišová, M., Jansen, J., Lindner, M., Moro-Richter, M., Müller-Benedict, V., Ott, K., Reinmuth, K. C., van Rooijen, N. M., Sandberg, M., Schaminée, J. H. J., Tang, C. Q., Vahle, H.-C. & Vanderplank, S. E., 2021, Perspectives for Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Hobohm, C. (ed.). Cham: Springer, p. 451-483 33 p. (Environmental Challenges and Solutions).

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

  42. Published

    Living Labs for Product Circularity: Learnings from the ‘Innovation Network aiming at Sustainable Smartphones’

    Revellio, F., Hansen, E. & Schaltegger, S., 2021, PLATE – Product lifetimes and the environment: 3rd PLATE Conference, September 18–20, 2019 Berlin, Germany. Nissen, N. F. & Jaeger-Erben, M. (eds.). Berlin: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, p. 669-676 8 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Los activos intangibles de la agricultura familiar en los sistemas agroalimentarios: Marco conceptual y consideraciones metodológicas

    Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Rodríguez Fazzone, M., Dueñas, J. D., Hernández, F. & Hernández, C., 2021, Bogotá: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Kolumbien. 64 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  44. Published

    Low-Profit im Kontext der UN-Nachhaltigkeitsziele

    Fahrbach, C. & Weiser, A., 2021, Wirtschaft neu lehren: Erfahrungen aus der pluralen, sozioökonomischen Hochschulbildung. Urban, J., Schröder, L.-M., Hantke, H. & Bäuerle, L. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 107-124 18 p. (Sozioökonomische Bildung und Wissenschaft).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  45. Published

    Nachhaltige Raumentwicklung für die große Transformation – Herausforderungen, Barrieren und Perspektiven für Raumwissenschaften und Raumplanung

    Hofmeister, S. (Editor), Warner, B. (Editor) & Ott, Z. (Editor), 2021, Hannover: Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung (ARL). 233 p. (Forschungsberichte der ARL; vol. 15)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  46. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit im Wirtschaftsrecht - von der Verantwortung der Wirtschaftsjuristen

    Schomerus, T., 2021, in principio erat codex - Am Anfang waren das Buch und das Gesetz: Eine zeitgenösische wirtschaftsjuristische Erkundung. Festschrift anlässlich des 60- + 70jährigen Geburtstages von Prof. em. Dr. iur. Klaus W. Slapnicar. Liepod, R. & Slapnicar, K. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Wissenschaftsverlag für Innovationen + Rechtstatsachen, p. 273-278 6 p.

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

  47. Published

    NachhaltigZeit: Ein Bildungsangebot zur Förderung von Zeitgestaltungskompetenz

    Grauer, C., Fischer, D. & Frank, P., 2021, Hamar, Norwegen: Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. 34 p. (Images and Objects - Active Methodology Toolkit #12; vol. 12)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesEducation

  48. Published

    Partizipative Hochschulentwicklung für den digitalen Wandel – Leitlinien des studierendenzentrierten Change Management

    Denker, F., Röwert, R. & Böckel, A., 2021, Digitalisierung in Studium und Lehre gemeinsam gestalten: Innovative Formate, Strategien und Netzwerke. Wiesbaden: Springer Vieweg, p. 233-247 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  49. Published

    Proxy-Repräsentation: Die institutionelle politische Repräsentation der Stimmlosen am Beispiel zukünftiger Generationen

    Rose, M., 2021, Im Namen des Volkes: Zur Kritik politischer Repräsentation. Neubauer, M., Stange, M., Reske, C. & Doktor, F. (eds.). Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck GmbH and Co. KG, p. 275-302 28 p. (POLITIKA; vol. 21).

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

  50. Published

    Purpose durch Nachhaltigkeit: Zukunftsfähige Zweckbestimmung für Unternehmen und Controlling

    Petersen, H., Schaltegger, S. & Nuzum, A.-K., 2021, In: Controlling. 33, S, p. 26-30 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Rebound Effects in Methods of Artificial Intelligence

    Willenbacher, M., Hornauer, T. & Wohlgemuth, V., 2021, Advances and New Trends in Environmental Informatics: A Bogeyman or Saviour for the UN Sustainability Goals?. Wohlgemuth, V., Naumann, S., Behrens, G. & Arndt, H.-K. (eds.). Cham: Springer Schweiz, p. 73-85 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter