School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- Published
Green Extraction and NMR Analysis of Bioactives from Orange Juice Waste
Penteado, P. S., Leal, M. C. B. D. M., Carosio, M. G. A., dos Santos, A., Segatto, M. L., Pavarini, D. P., da Silva, D. F., Amaral, J. C., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F., Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Ferreira, A. G., 14.02.2025, In: Foods. 14, 4, 14 p., 642.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Social perceptions of carnivores across the globe – a literature review
Newsom, A., Lozano, J. & Martín-López, B., 09.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 24 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Datenschutz als Werkzeug zur Antidiskriminierung
Bartmann, E. & Godau, L.-T., 06.02.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.Research output: other publications › Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Research › peer-review
- Published
Eco-pharma dilemma: Navigating environmental sustainability trade-offs within the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals – A comment
Moermond, C. T. A., Puhlmann, N., Pieters, L., Matharu, A., Boone, L., Dobbelaere, M., Proquin, H., Kümmerer, K., Ragas, A. M. J., Vidaurre, R., Venhuis, B. & De Smedt, D., 01.02.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 43, 10 p., 101893.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Framing resilience: Post-disaster communication in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Buelow, F., Brower, A. & Cradock-Henry, N., 01.02.2025, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 117, 13 p., 105167.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Political embedding of climate assemblies. How effective strategies for policy impact depend on context
Pfeffer, J. & Newig, J., 01.02.2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 164, 11 p., 103993.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Dichotomy or continuum? A global review of the interaction between autonomous and planned adaptations
Maskell, G., Shukla, R., Jagannathan, K., Browne, K., Ulibarri, N., Campbell, D., Franz, C. P., Grady, C., Joe, E. T., Kirchhoff, C. J., Madhavan, M., Michaud, L., Sharma, S., Singh, C., Orlove, B., Alverio, G. N., Ajibade, I., Bowen, K. J., Chauhan, N., Galappaththi, E. K., Hudson, A. J., Mach, K. J., Musah-Surugu, J. I., Petzold, J., Reckien, D., Schauberger, B., Segnon, A. C., van Bavel, B. & Gornott, C., 02.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 39 p., 18.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ecosystem service supply and (in)equality archetypes
Benra, F., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Fischer, J., 02.2025, In: Ecosystem Services. 71, 11 p., 101683.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities
Author Collaboration of "Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities", Hähn, G. J. A., Damasceno, G., Alvarez-Davila, E., Aubin, I., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E. & Haider, S., 02.2025, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 9, 2, p. 237-248 12 p., e12976.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Mental contrasting and conflict management in satisfied and unsatisfied romantic relationships
Jöhnk, H., Sevincer, A. T. & Oettingen, G., 02.2025, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 42, 2, p. 367-391 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Transformation towards the sustainable management of peatlands: A characterisation of farmers in the Teufelsmoor, Germany
Hünnebeck-Wells, A., Loos, J., Abel, S. & Nordt, A., 02.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 2, p. 346-359 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Detjen, L., Schröder, S., Schwenck, M., Summa, J., Schreiber, J. & von Wehrden, H., 20.01.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Cybermobbing, Hatespeech, Sexting und Cybergrooming. Online-Interaktionsrisiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen aus psychologischer Sicht
Paschel, F., Schultz, M., Salisch, M. & Pfetsch, J., 16.01.2025, Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 212 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
Fruit Detection and Yield Mass Estimation from a UAV Based RGB Dense Cloud for an Apple Orchard
Hobart, M., Pflanz, M., Tsoulias, N., Weltzien, C., Kopetzky, M. & Schirrmann, M., 16.01.2025, In: Drones. 9, 1, 19 p., 60.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Inventing a secure future: material stewardship as chemistry's mission for sustainability
Matlin, S. A., Cornell, S. E., Kümmerer, K., Mahaffy, P. G. & Mehta, G., 14.01.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 2, p. 804-821 18 p., d4su00576g.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
The use of functional traits in assessing productivity in natural ecosystems
Bordin, K. M., Morales, D. D. C., Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Kramer, J. M. F., Müller, S. C., Thomas, P. A. & Rosenfield, M. F., 01.01.2025, Plant Functional Traits: Linking Climate and Ecosystem Functioning. Kumar, M., Bussmann, R. W. & Swenson, N. G. (eds.). Elsevier, p. 111-133 23 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Toward Sustainable Water Governance? Taking Stock of Paradigms, Practices, and Sustainability Outcomes
Bilalova, S., Newig, J. & Villamayor-Tomas, S., 01.01.2025, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water. 12, 1, 12 p., e1762.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
A cultural comparison of children’s emotion knowledge: Data from two cultures
Schapira, R., von Salisch, M. & Voltmer, K., 01.2025, In: International Journal of Behavioral Development. 49, 1, p. 38-48 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Development of environmentally biodegradable drugs: what are the key challenges?
Bertram, M. G., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Jörg, M., 01.2025, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery. 20, 1, p. 1-4 4 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Die unionsrechtliche Regulierung von Hafenauffangeinrichtungen für Schiffsabfälle durch die PRF-Richtlinie
Schatz, V. & Wanner, L., 01.2025, In: Natur und Recht. 47, 1, p. 13-19 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Interplays between relational and instrumental values: insights from research experiences on human–nature relations
Riechers, M., Pearson, J., Diaz-Cruz, N., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S. & Topp, E., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 287-298 12 p., 104232.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Orientation-driven photosynthesized carbon belowground mediates intercropped peanut microbiota changes for pathogen resistance
Lu, J., Shen, Y., He, G., Li, S., Kumar, A., Sun, B. & Chen, Y., 01.2025, In: Plant and Soil. 506, 1, p. 209-226 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Revisiting the sustainability science research agenda
Sahle, M., Lahoti, S. A., Lee, S. Y., Brundiers, K., van Riper, C. J., Pohl, C., Chien, H., Bohnet, I. C., Aguilar-Rivera, N., Edwards, P., Pradhan, P., Plieninger, T., Boonstra, W. J., Flor, A. G., Di Fabio, A., Scheidel, A., Gordon, C., Abson, D. J., Andersson, E., Demaria, F., Kenter, J. O., Brooks, J., Kauffman, J., Hamann, M., Graziano, M., Nagabhatla, N., Mimura, N., Fagerholm, N., O’Farrell, P., Saito, O. & Takeuchi, K., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 1-19 19 p., e0261190.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Water-related problématiques: five archetypical contexts of water governance
Bilalova, S., Villamayor-Tomas, S. & Newig, J., 01.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 40 p., 10.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Alles nur ein Kampf? Schüler:innenvorstellungen zu Aspekten der Immunreaktion
Sowinski, R., Abels, S. & Hofer, E., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für Didaktik der Biologie (ZDB) - Biologie Lehren und Lernen. 30, 1, p. 25-48Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
A metacoupling lens on the co-production of nature’s contributions to people: Insights for sustainability
Mayer, A., Martín-López, B., Locatelli, B., Rabeschini, G., Liu, J., Loos, J., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Riechers, M. & Isaac, R., 2025, Ecological Horizons: From Nature to People. Dumbrell, A. J. (ed.). Academic Press Inc., p. 91-115 27 p. (Advances in Ecological Research; vol. 72, no. 1).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long-term trends, and data gaps
Author collaboration of "Biological invasions: a global assessment of geographic distributions, long-term trends, and data gaps", 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Biological Reviews.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Blueprint of a smokescreen: Introducing the validated climate disinformation corpus for behavioural research on combating climate disinformation
Spampatti, T., Brosch, T., Mumenthaler, C. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Psychology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Conceptualizing transformative climate action: insights from sufficiency research
Richard, B., Nathan, B., Andreas, N. & Ernest, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Climate Policy. 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Accepted/In press
Digitale Gesundheitskompetenz an Schulen. Entwicklung eines Selbstbewertungsinstruments zur Erfassung organisationaler Bedingungen
Hartmann, A., Fischer, L., Rangnow, P., Stauch, L., Renninger, D., Okan, O. & Dadaczynski, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Pravention und Gesundheitsforderung.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Empowering Change: A Self-Control Perspective on How Choice Architecture Interventions Can Promote Sustainable Behavior Change
Engel, L., Kukowski, C. A. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Motivation Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Entanglements of knowledge and action in sustainability science: reclaiming reflexivity to embrace the uncomfortable
Hakkarainen, V. & Lazurko, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Sustainability Science. 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Implementation of Vocational Education and Training for Sustainable Development Through Cooperation Between Research and Practice
Hantsch, R. & Hantke, H., 2025, Education for Sustainable Development: The Contribution of Universities. Leal Filho, W., Trevisan, L. V., Pace, P. J. & Mifsud, M. (eds.). Cham: Springer Nature, p. 161-175Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Impuls – Wandel kritisch-konstruktiv gestalten lernen: Das neue Modul „Transformation“ im Leuphana Semester
Picht-Wiggering, L., Bürgener, L., Fischer, D. & Nigro, R., 2025, Interdisziplinäre Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (I-BNE): Beiträge zur zweiten Fachkonferenz 2024 an der Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. Humburg, D., Dernbach, B. & Klages, M. (eds.). p. 5-14 10 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Education
- Accepted/In press
Inclusive transdisciplinarity: Embracing diverse ways of being and knowing through inner work
Manuel-Navarrete, D., Grauer, C., Brundiers, K., Chilisa, B., Bin Zanusi, Z. A., Seidel, T., Tolksdorf, F. & Lang, D. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Ecology and Society.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Inner Development Goals zur Erreichung der Sustainable Development Goals – Ein Self-Assessment als Reflexionsanlass zum Einsatz in transformativen Lernprozessen
Hantke, H. & Lorch, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Klimawandel und Bildung – Interdisziplinäre Grundlagen und didaktische Impulse. Pijetlovic, D. & von Au, J. (eds.). MünchenResearch output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschungsprojekte als Ansatz für eine transformative Hochschulbildung
Bürgener, L. & Meyer, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Didaktik der Interdisziplinären Hochschullehre. Braßler, M., Lerch, S. & Brandstädter, S. (eds.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Submitted
Inter- und Transdisziplinarität
Weiser, A., Bürgener, L., Steinbrügge, F. & Lang, D. J., 2025, (Submitted) Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Kollaboratives Forschen und Lernen im Prozess bildungsbezogener Arbeit
Hantke, H. & Hantsch, R., 2025, In: berufsbildung - Zeitschrift für Theorie-Praxis-Dialog. 1/2025, 205Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Methodological and empirical insights from gender vulnerability and adaptation responses to climate change in South Asia–a systematic review
Choudhary, A., Ajgaonkar, H., Chauhan, N., Kaechele, H. & Joshi, P. K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Climate and Development.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Mostly harmless econometrics? Statistical paradigms in the ‘top five’ from 2000 to 2018
Engler, J. O., Beeck, J. J. & von Wehrden, H., 2025, In: Journal of Economic Methodology. 32, 1, p. 14-32 19 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Negotiating With Yourself and Winning: The Dual Commitment Model for Intrapersonal Sustainability Goal Conflicts
Sevincer, A. T., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Motivation Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
New draft law on environmental licensing is a major threat to the Brazilian ecosystems and can hinder ecological restoration efforts
Weidlich, E. W. A., de Morae, L. F. D. & Engel, V. L., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Restoration Ecology. 1 p., e70171.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
On-farm compost and parsley residues extract use on organic fennel crop to improve agronomic performance and environmental sustainability
Diacono, M., Fiore, A., Di Bene, C., Farina, R., Trinchera, A., Li, J., Geelen, D., Pleissner, D., Almendinger, M., Montemurro, F. & Persiani, A., 2025, In: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 49, 5, p. 615-640 26 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy
Pérez-Hämmerle, K. V., Moon, K., Raymond, C. M., Lucas, P., Hakkarainen, V. & Wood, P., 2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 20 p., 2529585.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Planting futures: School-based food forests and their contribution to holistic education for sustainable development
Gobs, J., 2025, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 34, 2, p. 97-105 9 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Proposing a social-ecological framework for successful grassland restoration in Germany—an overview and insights from the Grassworks project
Temperton, V. M., Pătru-Dușe, I. A., Twerski, A., Laeseke, P., Neudert, R., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., Romero, M. P., Bauer, M., Beckmann, V., Fischer, J., Gray, K., Härdtle, W., Kollmann, J., Kuhn, L., Laschke, C. J., Loos, J., Lutz, L., May, F., Meyer, M., Martin-Lopez, B., Riechers, M., Ptacek, M., Seifert, D., Schmidt, A., Sturm, L., Thiele, J., Tischew, S., Unseld, L., Venus, T., Wiesmeier, M. & Kirmer, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Restoration Ecology. 15 p., e70109.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Psychological intervention in individuals with subthreshold depression: individual participant data meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators
Author Collaboration of "Psychological intervention in individuals with subthreshold depression: individual participant data meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators", Harrer, M., Sprenger, A. A., Illing, S., Adriaanse, M. C., Albert, S. M., Allart, E. & Lehr, D., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Psychiatry.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Accepted/In press
Quantification of phototrophically grown Galdieria sulphuraria and other microalgae using diphenylamine
Hashe, L., Masudi, W. L., Chiyanzu, I., Schönfelder, S., Pleissner, D. & Cowan, A. K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Applied Phycology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Rechtsrahmen und Zuständigkeit für die Überwachung der Vorwäsche im Rahmen von Anlage II des MARPOL-Übereinkommens
Schatz, V. J. & Ipsen, J., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für das Recht der Transportwirtschaft. 2025, p. 202-208 6 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research