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. 2020
  2. Published

    A typology of actors and their strategies in multi-scale governance of wind turbine conflict within forests

    Jürges, N., Leahy, J. & Newig, J., 07.2020, In: Land Use Policy. 96, p. 1-9 9 p., 104691.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Ethik

    Oermann, N. O., 07.2020, In: Theologische Literaturzeitung. 2020, 7, p. 716-717 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsTransfer

  4. Published

    Fehler beim schätzen: (Un)realistische Ergebnisse anhand von Größenvorstellungen ­erkennen

    Stinken-Rösner, L., 07.2020, In: Unterricht Physik. 31, 177/178, p. 64-67 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  5. Published

    Schulbasierte Achtsamkeitsprogramme mit Kindern und Jugendlichen

    Engel, N., Schiemann, S. & von Salisch, M., 07.2020, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 69, 4, p. 289-304 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving – The ‘First Fuel’

    Schomerus, T., 26.06.2020, Research Handbook on EU Environmental Law. Peeters, M. & Eliantonio, M. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 458-473 16 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  7. Published
  8. Published

    Abiotic and biotic degradation of five aromatic organosilicon compounds in aqueous media: Structure degradability relationships

    Grabitz, E., Olsson, O., Amsel, A.-K., Rummel, B., Mitzel, N. W. & Kümmerer, K., 15.06.2020, In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. 392, 15 p., 122429.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Studentische Perspektiven auf die digitale Transformation der Hochschulen: Strukturen, Vernetzung und Partizipation

    Böckel, A., 08.06.2020, Zukunft Lernwelt Hochschule: Perspektiven und Optionen für eine Neuausrichtung. Stang, R. & Becker, A. (eds.). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Saur, p. 140-146 7 p. (Lernwelten ).

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

  10. Published

    Thinking Inclusive Science Education from two Perspectives: Inclusive Pedagogy and Science Education

    Stinken-Rösner, L., Rott, L., Hundertmark, S., Baumann, T., Menthe, J., Hoffmann, T., Nehring, A. & Abels, S., 05.06.2020, In: RISTAL. 3, p. 30-45 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Advancing understanding of natural resource governance: a post-Ostrom research agenda

    Cumming, G. S., Epstein, G., Anderies, J. M., Apetrei, C.-I., Baggio, J. A., Bodin, Ö., Chawla, S., Clements, H. S., Cox, M. E., Egli, L., Gurney, G. G., Lubell, M. N., Magliocca, N. R., Morrison, T. H., Müller, B., Seppelt, R., Schlüter, M., Unnikrishnan, H., Villamayor-Tomas, S. & Weible, C. M., 01.06.2020, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 44, p. 26-34 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Between Ostrom and Nordhaus: The research landscape of sustainability economics

    Drupp, M. A., Baumgärtner, S., Meyer, M., Quaas, M. F. & von Wehrden, H., 01.06.2020, In: Ecological Economics. 172, 17 p., 106620.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Building capacity for the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services: Activities, fellows, outcomes, and neglected capacity building needs

    Gustafsson, K. M., Díaz-Reviriego, I. & Turnhout, E., 01.06.2020, In: Earth System Governance. 4, 10 p., 100050.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Chances and challenges of the biologization of the economy of rural areas

    Pleissner, D., 01.06.2020, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 23, p. 46-49 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Digitale Behandlungsangebote für Insomnie – eine Übersichtsarbeit

    Spiegelhalder, K., Acker, J., Baumeister, H., Büttner-Teleaga, A., Danker-Hopfe, H., Ebert, D. D., Fietze, I., Frase, L., Klein, S., Lehr, D., Maun, A., Mertel, I., Richter, K., Riemann, D., Sauter, C., Schilling, C., Schlarb, A. A., Specht, M., Steinmetz, L., Weeß, H. G. & Crönlein, T., 01.06.2020, In: Somnologie. 24, 2, p. 106-114 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Erratum zu: Digitale Behandlungsangebote für Insomnie – eine Übersichtsarbeit (Somnologie, (2020), 24, 2, (106-114), 10.1007/s11818-020-00238-9)

    Spiegelhalder, K., Acker, J., Baumeister, H., Büttner-Teleaga, A., Danker-Hopfe, H., Ebert, D. D., Fietze, I., Frase, L., Klein, S., Lehr, D., Maun, A., Mertel, I., Richter, K., Riemann, D., Sauter, C., Schilling, C., Schlarb, A. A., Specht, M., Steinmetz, L., Weeß, H. G. & Crönlein, T., 01.06.2020, In: Somnologie. 24, 2, p. 115-115 1 p.

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

  17. Published

    Multinational Enterprise Strategies for Addressing Sustainability: the Need for Consolidation

    Burritt, R. L., Christ, K. L., Rammal, H. G. & Schaltegger, S., 01.06.2020, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 164, 2, p. 389-410 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Non-sterile fermentation of food waste with indigenous consortium and yeast – Effects on microbial community and product spectrum

    Peinemann, J., Rhee, C., Shin, S. G. & Pleißner, D., 01.06.2020, In: Bioresource Technology. 306, 123175.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    What goes around, comes around? Access and allocation problems in Global North-South waste trade

    Cotta, B., 01.06.2020, In: International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics. 20, 2, p. 255-269 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Das Eiablageverhalten des Großen Feuerfalters (Lycaena dispar rutilus) in der Kulturlandschaft Siebenbürgens, Rumänien

    Höppner, O. & Loos, J., 06.2020, In: Oedippus. 37, p. 5-13 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published
  22. Published

    Der schnelle Anstieg des Grundwassers nach Starkregen

    Wittenberg, H., Aksoy, H. & Miegel, K., 06.2020, In: Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung. 64, 2, p. 66-74 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Impulsierung einer nachhaltigeren Ernährungsweise: Abschlussbericht

    Schaltegger, S., Wüst, S. & Petersen, H., 15.05.2020, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 114 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  24. Published

    Scaling the impact of sustainability initiatives: a typology of amplification processes

    Lam, D. P. M., Martín-López, B., Wiek, A., Bennett, E. M., Frantzeskaki, N., Horcea-Milcu, A. I. & Lang, D. J., 14.05.2020, In: Urban Transformations. 2, 1, 24 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Diurnal raptors of West Africa woodland-farmland mosaics: Data from walking-transects in eastern Guinea-Bissau

    Rodrigues, P., Mirinha, M. & Palma, L., 01.05.2020, In: Avian Biology Research. 13, 1-2, p. 18-23 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Drivers of above-ground understorey biomass and nutrient stocks in temperate deciduous forests

    Landuyt, D., Maes, S. L., Depauw, L., Ampoorter, E., Blondeel, H., Perring, M. P., Brūmelis, G., Brunet, J., Decocq, G., den Ouden, J., Härdtle, W., Hédl, R., Heinken, T., Heinrichs, S., Jaroszewicz, B., Kirby, K. J., Kopecký, M., Máliš, F., Wulf, M. & Verheyen, K., 01.05.2020, In: Journal of Ecology. 108, 3, p. 982-997 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation: a review on interventions in food and energy systems

    Dorninger, C., Abson, D. J., Apetrei, C. I., Derwort, P., Ives, C. D., Klaniecki, K., Lam, D., Langsenlehner, M., Riechers, M., Spittler, N. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2020, In: Ecological Economics. 171, 9 p., 106570.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  28. Published

    Neighbourhood diversity mitigates drought impacts on tree growth

    Fichtner, A., Schnabel, F., Bruelheide, H., Kunz, M., Mausolf, K., Schuldt, A., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 01.05.2020, In: Journal of Ecology. 108, 3, p. 865-875 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Plant functional trait response to environmental drivers across European temperate forest understorey communities

    Maes, S. L., Perring, M. P., Depauw, L., Bernhardt-Römermann, M., Blondeel, H., Brūmelis, G., Brunet, J., Decocq, G., den Ouden, J., Govaert, S., Härdtle, W., Hédl, R., Heinken, T., Heinrichs, S., Hertzog, L., Jaroszewicz, B., Kirby, K., Kopecký, M., Landuyt, D., Máliš, F., Vanneste, T., Wulf, M. & Verheyen, K., 01.05.2020, In: Plant Biology. 22, 3, p. 410-424 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Professionalisierung von Lehramtsstudierenden für inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Egger, D., Brauns, S., Sellin, K., Barth, M. & Abels, S., 01.05.2020, In: Journal für Psychologie. 27, 2, p. 50-70 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Climate and land use affect genetic structure of Stipa glareosa P. A. Smirn. in Mongolia

    Oyundelger, K., Ritz, C. M., Munkhzul, O., Lang, B., Ahlborn, J., Oyuntsetseg, B., Römermann, C. & Wesche, K., 05.2020, In: Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 266, 151572.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Freundschaft als Resilienzfaktor

    Salisch, M., 05.2020, Was Kinder stärkt.: Erziehung zwischen Risiko und Resilienz. Fingerle, M., Opp, G. & Suess, G. (eds.). 4. Auflage ed. München: Ernst Reinhardt Verlag, p. 194-201 8 p.

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

  33. Published

    Discursos economicistas de la sostenibilidad: Los momentos determinantes y la pregunta por alternativas

    Meyer, E. & Vilsmaier, U., 30.04.2020, In: Sustentabilidade em Debate. 11, 1, p. 98-110 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published
  35. Published

    A web- And mobile-based intervention for comorbid, recurrent depression in patients with chronic back pain on sick leave (get.back): Pilot randomized controlled trial on feasibility, user satisfaction, and effectiveness

    Schlicker, S., Baumeister, H., Buntrock, C., Sander, L., Paganini, S., Lin, J., Berking, M., Lehr, D. & Ebert, D. D., 15.04.2020, In: JMIR Mental Health. 7, 4, 21 p., e16398.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Assessing Collaborative Conservation: A Case Survey of Output, Outcome, and Impact Measures Used in the Empirical Literature

    Koontz, T. M., Jager, N. W. & Newig, J., 02.04.2020, In: Society and Natural Resources. 33, 4, p. 442-461 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published
  38. Published

    Constellations of Transdisciplinary Practices: A Map and Research Agenda for the Responsible Management Learning Field

    Laasch, O., Moosmayer, D., Antonacopoulou, E. & Schaltegger, S., 01.04.2020, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 162, 4, p. 735-757 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Impacts of Multiple Environmental Change Drivers on Growth of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Forest History Matters

    Mausolf, K., Härdtle, W., Hertel, D., Leuschner, C. & Fichtner, A., 01.04.2020, In: Ecosystems. 23, 3, p. 529-540 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Safeguarding the rare woodland species Gagea spathacea: Understanding habitat requirements is not sufficient

    Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W., Matthies, D., Arnold, V., Erfmeier, A., Hemke, T., Jansen, D., Lütt, S., Schmidt, M., Sturm, K., von Oheimb, G. & Ohse, B., 01.04.2020, In: Plant Species Biology. 35, 2, p. 120-129 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    ¿Cómo pueden contribuir los estudios feministas y poscoloniales de la ciencia a la coproducción de conocimientos? Reflexiones sobre IPBES

    Iniesta-Arandia, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., García-Nieto, A. P., Hevia, V., Díaz-Reviriego, I., García-Llorente, M., Oteros-Rozas, E., Ravera, F., Piñeiro, C. & Mingorría, S., 04.2020, In: Ecosistemas. 29, 1, 11 p., 1936.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Die tropischen Zyklone Idai und Fani im Jahr 2019 Naturgewalten im Indischen Ozean

    Samimi, C., Ghosh, A. & Fickert, T., 04.2020, In: Geographische Rundschau. 72, 4, p. 34-37 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Rapid Rise in the Groundwater after Heavy Rain

    Wittenberg, H., 04.2020, In: Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung. 64, 2, p. 64-65 2 p.

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

  44. Published

    Special issue on Responsible Management Learning: Change and Innovation for Sustainability, Responsibility, Ethics

    Laasch, O. (Editor), Moosmayer, D. C. (Editor), Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Antonacopoulou, E. (Editor), 04.2020, Dordrecht: Springer. (Journal of Business Ethics; vol. 162, no. 4)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  45. Published

    The effect of organic acids and alcohols on precipitation of phosphate using calcined seashell powder

    Pleissner, D., Zaman, T. & Peinemann, J., 04.2020, In: Chemical Papers. 74, 4, p. 1211-1217 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Call for Participation: Collaborative Benchmarking of Functional-Structural Root Architecture Models. The Case of Root Water Uptake

    Schnepf, A., Black, C. K., Couvreur, V., Delory, B. M., Doussan, C., Koch, A., Koch, T., Javaux, M., Landl, M., Leitner, D., Lobet, G., Mai, T. H., Meunier, F., Petrich, L., Postma, J. A., Priesack, E., Schmidt, V., Vanderborght, J., Vereecken, H. & Weber, M., 31.03.2020, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 11, 21 p., 316.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Storytelling for sustainability: A definition and its implications for education and communication

    Fischer, D., Selm, H., Sundermann, A. & Storksdieck, M., 25.03.2020, Storytelling for Sustainability in Higher Education: An Educator's Handbook. Moltan-Hill, P., Luna, H., Wall, T., Puntha, H. & Baden, D. (eds.). 1 ed. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 38-51 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  48. Published

    The WTO's Crisis: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

    Bäumler, J., 20.03.2020, Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin, 34 p. (KFG Working Paper Series; no. 42).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  49. Published

    Experimental and in silico assessment of fate and effects of the UV filter 2-phenylbenzimidazole 5-sulfonic acid and its phototransformation products in aquatic solutions

    Westphal, J., Kümmerer, K. & Olsson, O., 15.03.2020, In: Water Research. 171, 10 p., 115393.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Rethinking megafauna

    Moleón, M., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Donázar, J. A., Revilla, E., Martín-López, B., Gutiérrez-Cánovas, C., Getz, W. M., Morales-Reyes, Z., Campos-Arceiz, A., Crowder, L. B., Galetti, M., González-Suárez, M., He, F., Jordano, P., Lewison, R., Naidoo, R., Owen-Smith, N., Selva, N., Svenning, J. C., Tella, J. L., Zarfl, C., Jähnig, S. C., Hayward, M. W., Faurby, S., García, N., Barnosky, A. D. & Tockner, K., 11.03.2020, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 287, 1922, 10 p., 20192643.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  51. Published

    A highly endangered species on the edge: distribution, habitat use and outlook for Colias myrmidone in newly established Natura 2000 areas in Romania

    Loos, J., Vizauer, T.-C., Kastal, A., Davies, M., Hedrich, H. & Dolek, M., 01.03.2020, In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. 22, 3, p. 2399-2414 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review