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

    Alternative discourses around the governance of food security: A case study from Ethiopia

    Jiren, T. S., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Schultner, J., Bergsten, A., Manlosa, A., Jager, N., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 01.03.2020, In: Global Food Security. 24, 11 p., 100338.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    A mobile application for panic disorder and agoraphobia: Insights from a multi-methods feasibility study

    Ebenfeld, L., Kleine Stegemann, S., Lehr, D., Ebert, D. D., Funk, B., Riper, H. & Berking, M., 01.03.2020, In: Internet Interventions. 19, 10 p., 100296 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Cognitive dissonance in sustainability scientists regarding air travel for academic purposes: A qualitative study

    Schrems, I. & Upham, P., 01.03.2020, In: Sustainability. 12, 5, 14 p., 1837.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Conflicting demands of chemistry and inclusive teaching—a video‐based case study

    Abels, S., Koliander, B. & Plotz, T., 01.03.2020, In: Education Sciences. 10, 3, 13 p., 50.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Corporate and entrepreneurial contributions to sustainability transitions

    Schaltegger, S., Hörisch, J. & Loorbach, D., 01.03.2020, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 29, 3, p. 1617-1618 2 p.

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

  8. Published

    Do environmental preferences in wealthy nations persist in times of crisis? The European environmental attitudes (2008-2017)

    Cotta, B. & Vincenzo, M., 01.03.2020, In: Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica. 50, 1, p. 1-16 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Exploring acceptance of decentralised energy storage at household and neighbourhood scales: A UK survey

    Ambrosio-Albala, P., Upham, P., Bale, C. S. E. & Taylor, P. G., 01.03.2020, In: Energy Policy. 138, 13 p., 111194.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Mediterranean marine protected areas have higher biodiversity via increased evenness, not abundance

    Blowes, S. A., Chase, J. M., Di Franco, A., Frid, O., Gotelli, N. J., Guidetti, P., Knight, T. M., May, F., McGlinn, D. J., Micheli, F., Sala, E. & Belmaker, J., 01.03.2020, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 57, 3, p. 578-589 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Perceived contributions of multifunctional landscapes to human well-being: Evidence from 13 European sites

    Fagerholm, N., Martín-López, B., Torralba, M., Oteros-Rozas, E., Lechner, A. M., Bieling, C., Stahl Olafsson, A., Albert, C., Raymond, C. M., Garcia-Martin, M., Gulsrud, N. & Plieninger, T., 01.03.2020, In: People and Nature. 2, 1, p. 217-234 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Principles for knowledge co-production in sustainability research

    Norström, A. V., Cvitanovic, C., Löf, M. F., West, S., Wyborn, C., Balvanera, P., Bednarek, A. T., Bennett, E. M., Biggs, R., de Bremond, A., Campbell, B. M., Canadell, J. G., Carpenter, S. R., Folke, C., Fulton, E. A., Gaffney, O., Gelcich, S., Jouffray, J. B., Leach, M., Le Tissier, M., Martín-López, B., Louder, E., Loutre, M. F., Meadow, A. M., Nagendra, H., Payne, D., Peterson, G. D., Reyers, B., Scholes, R., Speranza, C. I., Spierenburg, M., Stafford-Smith, M., Tengö, M., van der Hel, S., van Putten, I. & Österblom, H., 01.03.2020, In: Nature Sustainability. 3, 3, p. 182-190 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Quantifying interregional flows of multiple ecosystem services – A case study for Germany

    Kleemann, J., Schröter, M., Bagstad, K. J., Kuhlicke, C., Kastner, T., Fridman, D., Schulp, C. J. E., Wolff, S., Martínez-López, J., Koellner, T., Arnhold, S., Martín-López, B., Marques, A., Lopez-Hoffman, L., Liu, J., Kissinger, M., Guerra, C. A. & Bonn, A., 01.03.2020, In: Global Environmental Change. 61, 26 p., 102051.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Tracking Sustainability Targets with Quantitative Indicator Systems for Performance Measurement of Industrial Symbiosis in Industrial Parks

    Lütje, A. & Wohlgemuth, V., 01.03.2020, In: Administrative Sciences. 10, 1, 15 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Indigenous and local knowledge in sustainability transformations research: a literature review

    Lam, D., Hinz, E., Lang, D. J., Tengö, M., Wehrden, H. V. & Martín-López, B., 03.2020, In: Ecology and Society. 25, 1, 25 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Requirements engineering for an industrial symbiosis tool for industrial parks covering system analysis, transformation simulation and goal setting

    Lütje, A. & Wohlgemuth, V., 03.2020, In: Administrative Sciences. 10, 1, 24 p., 10.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Research pathways to foster transformation: linking sustainability science and social-ecological systems research

    Horcea-Milcu, A.-I., Martín-López, B., Lam, D. & Lang, D. J., 03.2020, In: Ecology and Society. 25, 1, 29 p., 13.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Solvable problems or problematic solvability? Problem conceptualization in transdisciplinary sustainability research and a possible epistemological contribution

    Meyer, E., 03.2020, In: GAIA. 29, 1, p. 34-39 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Thinking about individual actor-level perspectives in sociotechnical transitions: A comment on the transitions research agenda

    Upham, P., Bögel, P. & Dütschke, E., 03.2020, In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 34, p. 341-343 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Scientific priorities and shepherds' perceptions of ungulate's contributions to people in rewilding landscapes

    Pascual-Rico, R., Martín-López, B., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A. & Morales-Reyes, Z., 25.02.2020, In: Science of the Total Environment. 705, 11 p., 135876.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Use your power for good: plural valuation of nature – the Oaxaca statement

    Jacobs, S., Zafra-Calvo, N., Gonzalez-Jimenez, D., Guibrunet, L., Benessaiah, K., Berghöfer, A., Chaves-Chaparro, J., Díaz, S., Gomez-Baggethun, E., Lele, S., Martín-López, B., Masterson, V. A., Merçon, J., Moersberger, H., Muraca, B., Norström, A., O'Farrell, P., Ordonez, J. C., Prieur-Richard, A.-H., Rincón-Ruiz, A., Sitas, N., Subramanian, S. M., Tadesse, W., van Noordwijk, M., Pascual, U. & Balvanera, P., 21.02.2020, In: Global Sustainability. 3, 7 p., e8.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Developing sufficiency-oriented offerings for clothing users: Business approaches to support consumption reduction

    Freudenreich, B. & Schaltegger, S., 20.02.2020, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 247, 10 p., 119589.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Growth of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria Gallionella ferruginea and Leptothrix cholodnii in Oligotrophic Environments: Ca, Mg, and C as Limiting Factors and G. ferruginea Necromass as C-Source

    Eggerichs, T., Wiegand, M., Neumann, K., Opel, O., Thronicker, O. & Szewzyk, U., 07.02.2020, In: Geomicrobiology Journal. 37, 2, p. 190-199 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    A tale of scale: Plot but not neighbourhood tree diversity increases leaf litter ant diversity

    Skarbek, C. J., Noack, M., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W., Oheimb, G., Scholten, T., Seitz, S. & Staab, M., 01.02.2020, In: Journal of Animal Ecology. 89, 2, p. 299-308 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Climate – grazing interactions in Mongolian rangelands: Effects of grazing change along a large-scale environmental gradient

    Ahlborn, J., von Wehrden, H., Lang, B., Römermann, C., Oyunbileg, M., Oyuntsetseg, B. & Wesche, K., 01.02.2020, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 173, 10 p., 104043.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Editorial overview: Selected articles from green and sustainable chemistry conference

    Kümmerer, K. & Liu, Z., 01.02.2020, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 21, p. A4-A5 2 p.

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

  27. Published

    Estimation of the economy of heterotrophic microalgae- and insect-based food waste utilization processes

    Pleissner, D. & Smetana, S., 01.02.2020, In: Waste Management. 102, p. 198-203 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    German forest management stakeholders at the science-society interface: Their views on problem definition, knowledge production and research utilization

    Juerges, N. & Jahn, S., 01.02.2020, In: Forest Policy and Economics. 111, 10 p., 102076.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Integrating the underlying structure of stochasticity into community ecology

    Shoemaker, L. G., Sullivan, L. L., Donohue, I., Cabral, J. S., Williams, R. J., Mayfield, M. M., Chase, J. M., Chu, C., Harpole, W. S., Huth, A., HilleRisLambers, J., James, A. R. M., Kraft, N. J. B., May, F., Muthukrishnan, R., Satterlee, S., Taubert, F., Wang, X., Wiegand, T., Yang, Q. & Abbott, K. C., 01.02.2020, In: Ecology. 101, 2, 17 p., e02922.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Linking large-scale and small-scale distribution patterns of steppe plant species—An example using fourth-corner analysis

    Treiber, J., von Wehrden, H., Zimmermann, H., Welk, E., Jäger, E. J., Ronnenberg, K. & Wesche, K., 01.02.2020, In: Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 263, 8 p., 151553.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Phosphorus uptake from struvite is modulated by the nitrogen form applied

    Robles-Aguilar, A. A., Schrey, S. D., Postma, J. A., Temperton, V. M. & Jablonowski, N. D., 01.02.2020, In: Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 183, 1, p. 80-90 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    The Challenges of Using Organic Municipal Solid Waste as Source of Secondary Raw Materials

    Pleißner, D. & Peinemann, J. C., 01.02.2020, In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 11, 2, p. 435-446 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    The influence of feedback and awareness of consequences on the development of corporate sustainability action over time

    Hörisch, J., Wulfsberg, I. M. & Schaltegger, S., 01.02.2020, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 29, 2, p. 638 - 650 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Alpha and beta diversity across coastal marine social-ecological systems: Implications for conservation

    Lazzari, N., Martín-López, B., Sanabria-Fernandez, J. A. & Becerro, M. A., 02.2020, In: Ecological Indicators. 109, 8 p., 105786.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Applying the energy cultures framework to understand energy systems in the context of rural sustainability transformation

    Klaniecki, K., Duse, I. A., Lutz, L. M., Leventon, J. & Abson, D. J., 02.2020, In: Energy Policy. 137, 12 p., 111092.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Inter-individual nectar chemistry changes of field scabious, Knautia arvensis

    Venjakob, C., Leonhardt, S. & Klein, A. M., 02.2020, In: Insects. 11, 2, 15 p., 75.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    International Trends in Research on Environmental and Sustainability Education in Teacher Education

    King, J., Rieckmann, M., Fischer, D., Barth, M., Büssing, A. G., Hemmer, I. & Lindau-Bank, D., 02.2020, Encyclopedia of Teacher Education. Peters, M. A. (ed.). Singapore: Springer Singapore, p. 1-6 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  38. Published

    Rethinking Chemistry for a circular economy

    Kümmerer, K., Clark, J. & Zuin, V. G., 23.01.2020, In: Science. 367, 6476, p. 369 - 370 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  39. Published

    Business model patterns of sustainability pioneers - Analyzing cases across the smartphone life cycle

    Zufall, J., Norris, S., Schaltegger, S., Revellio, F. & Hansen, E. G., 20.01.2020, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 244, 15 p., 118651.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Expertise in research integration and implementation for tackling complex problems: when is it needed, where can it be found and how can it be strengthened?

    Bammer, G., O’Rourke, M., O’Connell, D., Neuhauser, L., Midgley, G., Klein, J. T., Grigg, N. J., Gadlin, H., Elsum, I. R., Bursztyn, M., Fulton, E. A., Pohl, C., Smithson, M., Vilsmaier, U., Bergmann, M., Jaeger, J., Merkx, F., Vienni Baptista, B., Burgman, M. A., Walker, D. H., Young, J., Bradbury, H., Crawford, L., Haryanto, B., Pachanee, C. A., Polk, M. & Richardson, G. P., 13.01.2020, In: Humanities & social sciences communications. 6, 1, 16 p., 5.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Indicators for relational values of nature’s contributions to good quality of life: the IPBES approach for Europe and Central Asia

    Schröter, M., Başak, E., Christie, M., Church, A., Keune, H., Osipova, E., Oteros-Rozas, E., Sievers-Glotzbach, S., van Oudenhoven, A. P. E., Balvanera, P., González, D., Jacobs, S., Molnár, Z., Pascual, U. & Martín-López, B., 10.01.2020, In: Ecosystems and People. 16, 1, p. 50-69 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  42. Published

    Arzneimittelrückstände in Trinkwasser und Gewässern: Endbericht zum TA-Projekt

    Klauer, B., Aicher , C., Bratan, T., Eberle, U., Hillenbrand , T., Kümmerer, K., Reuter , W., Schiller, J., Schulte-Römer , N., Schramm, E., Tettenborn, F., Völker, C. & Walz , A., 09.01.2020, Köln: Bundesanzeiger Verlag, 146 p. (TAB-Arbeitsbericht ; no. 183)(Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen; no. 19/16430).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  43. Published

    Embracing conflicts for interpersonal competence development in project-based sustainability courses

    Konrad, T., Wiek, A. & Barth, M., 09.01.2020, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 21, 1, p. 76-96 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Sustainability in African higher education institutions (HEIs): Shifting the focus from researching the gaps to existing activities

    Ulmer, N. & Wydra, K., 09.01.2020, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 21, 1, p. 18-33 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Hydrological tracers for assessing transport and dissipation processes of pesticides in a model constructed wetland system

    Fernández-Pascual, E., Bork, M., Hensen, B. & Lange, J., 08.01.2020, In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 24, 1, p. 41-60 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Discrete-Point Analysis of the Energy Demand of Primary versus Secondary Metal Production

    Schäfer, P. & Schmidt, M., 07.01.2020, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 54, 1, p. 507-516 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Efficacy of a Self-Help Web-Based Recovery Training in Improving Sleep in Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial in the General Working Population

    Behrendt, D., Ebert, D. D., Spiegelhalder, K. & Lehr, D., 07.01.2020, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 22, 1, 18 p., e13346.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    The hidden power of language: How “value creation accounting” influences decisions on expenditures, cost reductions and staff costs

    Hummel, P. & Hörisch, J., 06.01.2020, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 11, 1, p. 187-206 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Co-Creation of Social Entrepreneurial Opportunities with Refugees

    Harima, A. & Freudenberg, J., 02.01.2020, In: Journal of Social Entrepreneurship. 11, 1, p. 40-64 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Harmonising biodiversity conservation and food security in southwestern Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Rodrigues, P., Shumi, G., Hylander, K., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Jiren, T. S., Mausbach, M., Abson, D., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 02.01.2020, 1 ed. Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd. 166 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  51. Published

    Contributions of place-based social-ecological research to address global sustainability challenges

    Martín-López, B., Balvanera, P., Manson, R., Mwampamba, T. H. & Norström, A., 01.01.2020, In: Global Sustainability. 3, 4 p., e21.

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