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

    Degradation and elimination of anticancer drugs by water and wastewater treatment - toxicity and biodegradability before and after the treatment

    Lutterbeck, C. A., Machado, Ê. L. & Kümmerer, K., 01.01.2020, Fate and Effects of Anticancer Drugs in the Environment. Heath, E., Isidori, M., Kosjek, T. & Filipic, M. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 139-168 30 p.

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

  3. Published

    Development perspectives for the application of autonomous, unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in wildlife conservation

    Fust, P. & Loos, J., 01.01.2020, In: Biological Conservation. 241, 4 p., 108380.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Evaluation of the OECD P OV and LRTP screening tool for estimating the long-range transport of organophosphate esters

    Sühring, R., Scheringer, M., Rodgers, T. F. M., Jantunen, L. M. & Diamond, M. L., 01.01.2020, In: Environmental Sciences: Processes & Impacts. 22, 1, p. 207-216 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Food waste and manure

    Lin, C. S. K., Ashokkumar, M., Kaur, G., Li, C., Li, X., Ong, K. L. & Pleissner, D., 01.01.2020, Handbook on Characterization of Biomass, Biowaste and Related By-products. Nzihou, A. (ed.). Cham: Springer Schweiz, p. 899-938 40 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  6. Published

    Grazing effects on intraspecific trait variability vary with changing precipitation patterns in Mongolian rangelands

    Lang, B., Ahlborn, J., Oyunbileg, M., Geiger, A., von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Oyuntsetseg, B. & Roemermann, C., 01.01.2020, In: Ecology and Evolution. 10, 2, p. 678-691 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Growth-trait relationships in subtropical forest are stronger at higher diversity

    Bongers, F. J., Schmid, B., Sun, Z., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Li, Y., Li, S., Staab, M., Ma, K. & Liu, X., 01.01.2020, In: Journal of Ecology. 108, 1, p. 256-266 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Habitat continuity matters: Ancient woodlands tend to have higher biomass and catching rate of dung beetles, mainly driven by one large species

    Hülsmann, M., Boutaud, E., Buse, J., Frank, K., Schuldt, A. & Assmann, T., 01.01.2020, In: Acta Oecologica. 102, 7 p., 103501.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Inside-out sustainability: The neglect of inner worlds

    Ives, C. D., Freeth, R. & Fischer, J., 01.01.2020, In: Ambio. 49, 1, p. 208-217 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published
  11. Published

    Learning to collaborate while collaborating: advancing interdisciplinary sustainability research

    Freeth, R. & Caniglia, G., 01.01.2020, In: Sustainability Science. 15, 1, p. 247-261 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Occurrence, distribution, and ecotoxicological risk assessment of selected pharmaceutical compounds in water from Lake Victoria, Uganda

    Nantaba, F., Wasswa, J., Kylin, H., Palm, W. U., Bouwman, H. & Kümmerer, K., 01.01.2020, In: Chemosphere. 239, 11 p., 124642.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Organic matter priming by invasive plants depends on dominant mycorrhizal association

    Kumar, A., Phillips, R. P., Scheibe, A., Klink, S. & Pausch, J., 01.01.2020, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 140, 4 p., 107645.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Pathways of Conflict: Lessons from the Cultivation of MON810 in Germany in 2005–2008 for Emerging Conflicts over New Breeding Techniques

    Friedrich, B., 01.01.2020, In: Sustainability. 12, 1, 17 p., 144.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2021: Hartholz-Auenwald (Ficario-Ulmetum)

    Härdtle, W., Bergmeier, E., Fichtner, A., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Remy, D., Schneider, S., Schwabe, A., Tischew, S. & Dierschke, H., 01.01.2020, In: Tuexenia. 40, p. 373-399 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published
  17. Published

    Continuous pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation of organic residues for the production of biochemicals

    Peinemann, J. C. & Pleißner, D., 01.2020, In: Bioresource Technology. 295, 8 p., 122256.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in der schulischen Praxis verankern

    Barth, M. & Bürgener, L., 2020, In: Weiterbildung. 2, p. 21-23 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung und ihre Potenziale für eine zukunftsfähige Grundschule

    Singer-Brodowski, M. & Kater-Wettstädt, L., 2020, Kinder lernen Zukunft: Über die Fächer hinaus: Prinzipien und Perspektiven. Hecker, U., Lassek, M. & Ramseger, J. (eds.). Frankfurt: Der Grundschulverband, p. 36 - 46 11 p. (Beiträge zur Reform der Grundschule; vol. 151).

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

  20. Published

    Biorefineries in Germany

    Alexandri, M., Demichelis, F., Fiore, S., Lübeck, M. & Pleißner, D., 2020, Waste Biorefinery: Integrating biorefineries for waste valorisation. Bhaskar, T., Rene, E. R., Pandey, A. & Tsang, D. C. W. (eds.). Amsterdam: Elsevier B.V., p. 601-629 29 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  21. Published

    "Brüche und Brücken": Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterrichts

    Offen, S. (Editor), Barth, M. (Editor), Franz, U. (Editor) & Michalik, K. (Editor), 2020, Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt. 192 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 30)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  22. Published
  23. Published

    „Digital GeSEHEN“: Partizipatives Experimentieren im Optikunterricht mit Hilfe von Simulationen

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2020, In: Computer + Unterricht. 30, 117, p. 19-22 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  24. In preparation

    Driesch und Uexküll

    Schmieg, G., 2020, (In preparation) Plessner Handbuch: Leben – Werk – Wirkung. Fischer, J. (ed.). J.B. Metzler, 6 p. Kap.II.8

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  25. Published

    Editorial

    Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K., 2020, "Brüche und Brücken" - Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 9-14 6 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 30).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  26. Published

    Educating Future Change Agents: Research instruments applied in case studies on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development

    Brandt, J.-O., Bürgener, L., Redman, A. & Barth, M., 2020, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 45 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  27. Published
  28. Published

    Facilitating collaborative processes in transdisciplinary research using design prototyping

    Peukert, D., Lam, D. P. M., Horcea-Milcu, A. I. & Lang, D. J., 2020, In: Journal of Design Research. 18, 5-6, p. 294-326 33 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Forschendes Lernen auf Hochschul- und Unterrichtsebene beforschen

    Brauns, S., Egger, D. & Abels, S., 2020, Forschendes Lernen. Eghtessad, A., Kosler, T. & Oberhauser, C. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 201-211 11 p. (Transfer Forschung ↔ Schule; vol. 6, no. 6).

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

  30. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Abels, S., Brauns, S. & Egger, D., 2020, In: IMST Newsletter. 17, 50, p. 10-14 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im Masterstudiengang Systems Engineering: Bausteine erhalten, Bausteine zusammensetzen, Ergebnisse reflektieren

    Bačić, I., Rodenhauser, A., Colombi Ciacchi, L. & Bernd, K., 2020, Forschendes Lernen als Studiengangsprofil: Zum Lehrprofil einer Universität. Thomas, H., Henning, K. & Peter, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 285-300 16 p.

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

  32. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht: Begrifflichkeiten, Ausprägungen, Zielsetzungen

    Hofer, E. & Puddu, S., 2020, transfer Forschung - Schule: Forschendes Lernen. Eghtessad, A., Kosler, T. & Oberhauser, C. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, Vol. 6. p. 57-71 15 p. (transfer Forschung ↔Schule; no. 6).

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

  33. Published

    Fragmentierung und lineare Lebensraumstrukturen - eine entomologische Perspektive

    Aßmann, T., Boutaud, E., Buse, J., Drees, C., Finck, P., Grabener, S., Härdtle, W., Riecken, U. & Ullrich, K., 2020, Wildnis im Dialog : Aktuelle Beiträge zur Wildnisentwicklung in Deutschland von den Tagungen „Neue Chancen für mehr Wildnis“ vom 26. - 29. November 2018 an der Internationalen Naturschutzakademie (INA), Vilmund „Wildnis verbinden“ vom 08. - 12. Juli 2019 in Dresden. Meißner, A., Niebrügge, A., Schweiger, M., Wilczek, M., Finck, P., Heisterkamp, S. & Riecken, U. (eds.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 49-66 18 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 557).

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

  34. Published

    Gase auf submikroskopischer Ebene untersuchen: Einbinden von Simulationen in den Chemieunterricht

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2020, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 31, 177, p. 47-51 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  35. E-pub ahead of print

    Governing Objects from a Distance: Blockchains as Organizers of Environmentality

    Leistert, O., 2020, (E-pub ahead of print) Explorations in Digital Cultures. Burkhardt, M., Shnayien, M. & Grashöfer, K. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 5-20 16 p.

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

  36. Published

    Green chemistry and its contribution to industrial biotechnology

    Pleissner, D. & Kümmerer, K., 2020, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment in Industrial Biotechnology. Fröhling, M. & Hiete, M. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 281-298 18 p. (Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology; vol. 173).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  37. Published

    Heinrich Egon Weber (1932-2020)

    Haerdtle, W., Matzke-Hajek, G. & Pallas, J., 2020, In: Tuexenia. 40, p. 585-604 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Inklusive Unterrichtsgestaltung – Brüche und Brücken zwischen Sach- und Fachunterricht

    Abels, S., 2020, „Brüche und Brücken“ – Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterrichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 17-26 10 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 30).

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

  39. Published

    Integration von Nachhaltigkeit in das Controlling: Praxisleitfaden für Unternehmen 2020

    Nuzum, A.-K., Petersen, H., Lühn, M., Wenzig, J. & Schaltegger, S., 2020, 19 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  40. Published

    Landschaft als Prozess – Prozess als Konflikt

    Mölders, T. & Hofmeister, S., 2020, Landschaft als Prozess. Duttmann, R., Kühne, O. & Weber, F. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 493-511 19 p. (RaumFragen: Stadt – Region – Landschaft).

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

  41. Published

    Merkmale gelungenen inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts in der Primar- und Sekundarstufe I: eine Interviewstudie mit Lehrkräften

    Sellin, K., Barth, M. & Abels, S., 2020, "Brüche und Brücken" - Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterrichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 27-34 8 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts ; vol. 30).

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

  42. Published

    Nachhaltige Arbeit: Eine Forschungsagenda zur sozial-ökologischen Transformation der Arbeitsgesellschaft

    Jochum, G., Barth, T., Brandl, S., Cárdenas Tomazic, A., Hofmeister, S., Littig, B., Matuschek, I., Ulrich, S. & Warsewa, G., 2020, In: Arbeit. 29, 3-4, p. 219-233 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften in globalen Lieferketten: Gesetzliche Sorgfaltspflichten von Unternehmen im Lichte des WTO-Rechts

    Bäumler, J., 2020, In: Archiv des Völkerrechts. 58, 4, p. 464-501 38 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  44. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit als Treiber des Unternehmenserfolgs: Ein mehrperspektivischer Controllingansatz

    Schaltegger, S., 2020, In: REthinking: Finance. 2, 2, p. 34-39 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  45. Published

    POR UMA ESCOLA PLURAL, INTEGRADA E COM PARTIDOS

    Gomes, C. & Zuin, V., 2020, In: Revista da FAEEBA - Educação e Contemporaneidade. 29, 58, p. 78-90 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Radverkehrsförderung 3.0: Barrierefrei, netztransparent, digital - Teil 2; Radverkehr, Verkehrsmittelwahl, Stadtverkehr, Verkehrsplanung

    Pez, P. & Seidel, A., 2020, In: Internationales Verkehrswesen. 72, 4, p. 16-20 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Rätselhafte Röhren in der Landschaft

    Walmsley, D., 2020, In: Naturschutz und Naturparke. 248, p. 12-15 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  49. Published

    Responsible Management Learning and Education in Need of Inter- and Transdisciplinarity

    Beckmann, M. & Schaltegger, S., 2020, The SAGE Handbook of Responsible Management Learning and Education. Moosmeyer, D. C., Laasch, O., Parkes, C. & Brown, K. G. (eds.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Inc., p. 561-577 17 p.

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

  50. Published

    Scaffolding im Rahmen von Inquiry-based Learning. Unterstützung der Lernenden auf ihrem Weg zur Erkenntnisgewinnung.

    Hofer, E., 2020, In: IMST Newsletter. 17, 50, p. 15-18 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Seven Building Blocks for an Intergenerationally Just Democracy

    Rose, M. & Hoffmann, J. M., 2020, Stuttgart: Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations, 29 p. (FREG Position Paper)(SSRN eLibrary).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers