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. 2019
  2. Published

    When history matters: The overlooked role of priority effects in grassland overyielding

    Delory, B., Weidlich, E. W. A., von Gillhaussen, P. & Temperton, V. M., 12.2019, In: Functional Ecology. 33, 12, p. 2369-2380 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Handbook on Maritime Hybrid Threats — 10 Scenarios and Legal Scans

    Savolainen, J., Gill, T., Schatz, V. J., Ojala, L., Jakstas, T. & Kleemola-Juntunen, P., 22.11.2019, Helsinki: The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, 54 p. (Hybrid CoE Working Papers; vol. 5).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  4. Published

    Promoting and prolonging the beneficial effects of a vacation with the help of a smartphone-based intervention

    Virtanen, A., de Bloom, J., Reins, J. A., Syrek, C., Lehr, D. & Kinnunen, U., 12.11.2019, In: Gedrag en Organisatie. 32, 4, p. 250-278 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Capital asset substitution as a coping strategy: Practices and implications for food security and resilience in southwestern Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I. & Fischer, J., 01.11.2019, In: Geoforum. 106, p. 13-23 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Cross-Fertilizing Qualitative Perspectives on Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention: An Empirical Comparison of Four Methodical Approaches

    Frank, P., Stanszus, L., Fischer, D., Kehnel, K. & Grossman, P., 01.11.2019, In: Mindfulness. 10, 11, p. 2452–2467 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Evaluating social learning in participatory mapping of ecosystem services

    García-Nieto, A. P., Huland, E., Quintas-Soriano, C., Iniesta-Arandia, I., García-Llorente, M., Palomo, I. & Martín-López, B., 01.11.2019, In: Ecosystems and People. 15, 1, p. 257-268 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Linking modes of research to their scientific and societal outcomes. Evidence from 81 sustainability-oriented research projects

    Newig, J., Jahn, S. V., Lang, D. J., Kahle, J. & Bergmann, M., 01.11.2019, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 101, p. 147-155 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Livestock grazing and rainfall manipulation alter the patterning of CO2 fluxes and biomass development of the herbaceous community in a humid savanna

    Okach, D. O., Ondier, J. O., Kumar, A., Rambold, G., Tenhunen, J., Huwe, B. & Otieno, D., 01.11.2019, In: Plant Ecology. 220, 11, p. 1085-1100 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Multiple components of plant diversity loss determine herbivore phylogenetic diversity in a subtropical forest experiment

    Wang, M.-Q., Li, Y., Chesters, D., Anttonen, P., Bruelheide, H., Chen, J.-T., Durka, W., Guo, P.-F., Haerdtle, W., Ma, K., Michalski, S. G., Schmid, B., von Oheimb, G., Wu, C.-S., Zhang, N.-L., Zhou, Q.-S., Schuldt, A. & Zhu, C.-D., 01.11.2019, In: Journal of Ecology. 107, 6, p. 2697-2712 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Natural formation of chloro- and bromoacetone in salt lakes of Western Australia

    Sattler, T., Sörgel, M., Wittmer, J., Bourtsoukidis, E., Krause, T., Atlas, E., Benk, S., Bleicher, S., Kamilli, K., Ofner, J., Kopetzky, R., Held, A., Palm, W. U., Williams, J., Zetzsch, C. & Schöler, H. F., 01.11.2019, In: Atmosphere. 10, 11, 21 p., 663.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    The exotic species Senecio inaequidens pays the price for arriving late in temperate European grassland communities

    Delory, B. M., Weidlich, E. W. A., Kunz, M., Neitzel, J. & Temperton, V. M., 01.11.2019, In: Oecologia. 191, 3, p. 657-671 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    The framing of power in climate change adaptation research

    Woroniecki, S., Krüger, R., Rau, A. L., Preuss, M. S., Baumgartner, N., Raggers, S., Niessen, L., Holländer, L., Beyers, F., Rathgens, J., Wagner, K. C., Habigt, L., Krause, T., Wamsler, C., von Wehrden, H. & Abson, D., 01.11.2019, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change. 10, 6, 21 p., e617.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Towards more effective and transferable transition experiments: learning through stratification

    Engler, J.-O., Zimmermann, H., Lang, D. J., Feller, R. & Wehrden, H., 01.11.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 6, p. 1503-1514 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Conflicts over GMOs and their Contribution to Food Democracy

    Friedrich, B., Hackfort, S. K., Boyer, M. & Gottschlich, D., 28.10.2019, In: Politics and Governance. 7, 4, p. 165-177 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Food policy councils as loci for practising food democracy? Insights from the case of Oldenburg, Germany

    Sieveking, A., 28.10.2019, In: Politics and Governance. 7, 4, p. 48-58 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Comment on "The global tree restoration potential"

    Veldman, J. W., Aleman, J. C., Alvarado, S. T., Anderson, T. M., Archibald, S., Bond, W. J., Boutton, T. W., Buchmann, N., Buisson, E., Canadell, J. G., de Sá Dechoum, M., Diaz-Toribio, M. H., Durigan, G., Ewel, J. J., Fernandes, G. W., Fidelis, A., Fleischman, F., Good, S. P., Griffith, D. M., Hermann, J.-M., Hoffmann, W. A., Le Stradic, S., Lehmann, C. E. R., Mahy, G., Nerlekar, A. N., Nippert, J. B., Noss, R. F., Osborne, C. P., Overbeck, G. E., Parr, C. L., Pausas, J. G., Pennington, R. T., Perring, M. P., Putz, F. E., Ratnam, J., Sankaran, M., Schmidt, I. B., Schmitt, C. B., Silveira, F. A. O., Staver, A. C., Stevens, N., Still, C. J., Strömberg, C. A. E., Temperton, V. M., Varner, J. M. & Zaloumis, N. P., 18.10.2019, In: Science. 366, 6463, 4 p., 7976.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  19. Published

    Fridays for Future aus nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftlicher Perspektive

    von Wehrden, H., Kater-Wettstaedt, L. & Schneidewind, U., 18.10.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 3, p. 307-309 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Social Synergies, Tradeoffs, and Equity in Marine Conservation Impacts

    Gill, D. A., Cheng, S. H., Glew, L., Aigner, E., Bennett, N. J. & Mascia, M. B., 17.10.2019, In: Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 44, p. 347-372 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  21. Published

    Woody plant use and management in relation to property rights: a social-ecological case study from southwestern Ethiopia

    Shumi, G., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J., Hylander, K., Senbeta, F., Hanspach, J., Ango, T. G. & Fischer, J., 14.10.2019, In: Ecosystems and People. 15, 1, p. 303-316 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    How mindfulness training cultivates introspection and competence development for sustainable consumption

    Frank, P., Sundermann, A. & Fischer, D., 04.10.2019, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 20, 6, p. 1002-1021 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Effects of elevated growth temperature and enhanced atmospheric vapour pressure deficit on needle and root terpenoid contents of two Douglas fir provenances

    Duan, Q., Kleiber, A., Jansen, K., Junker, L. V., Kammerer, B., Han, G., Zimmer, I., Rennenberg, H., Schnitzler, J. P., Ensminger, I., Gessler, A. & Kreuzwieser, J. F., 01.10.2019, In: Environmental and Experimental Botany. 166, 103819.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Genetic toxicology in silico protocol

    Hasselgren, C., Ahlberg, E., Akahori, Y., Amberg, A., Anger, L. T., Atienzar, F., Auerbach, S., Beilke, L., Bellion, P., Benigni, R., Bercu, J., Booth, E. D., Bower, D., Brigo, A., Cammerer, Z., Cronin, M. T. D., Crooks, I., Cross, K. P., Custer, L., Dobo, K., Doktorova, T., Faulkner, D., Ford, K. A., Fortin, M. C., Frericks, M., Gad-McDonald, S. E., Gellatly, N., Gerets, H., Gervais, V., Glowienke, S., Van Gompel, J., Harvey, J. S., Hillegass, J., Honma, M., Hsieh, J. H., Hsu, C. W., Barton-Maclaren, T. S., Johnson, C., Jolly, R., Jones, D., Kemper, R., Kenyon, M. O., Kruhlak, N. L., Kulkarni, S. A., Kümmerer, K., Leavitt, P., Masten, S., Miller, S., Moudgal, C., Muster, W., Paulino, A., Lo Piparo, E., Powley, M., Quigley, D. P., Reddy, M. V., Richarz, A. N., Schilter, B., Snyder, R. D., Stavitskaya, L., Stidl, R., Szabo, D. T., Teasdale, A., Tice, R. R., Trejo-Martin, A., Vuorinen, A., Wall, B. A., Watts, P., White, A. T., Wichard, J., Witt, K. L., Woolley, A., Woolley, D., Zwickl, C. & Myatt, G. J., 01.10.2019, In: Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 107, 104403, 21 p., 104403.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Healthy eating and sustainable nutrition through mindfulness? Mixed method results of a controlled intervention study

    Stanszus, L. S., Frank, P. & Geiger, S. M., 01.10.2019, In: Appetite. 141, 104325.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    How does sustainability become professionally relevant? Exploring the role of sustainability conceptions in first year students

    Sundermann, A. & Fischer, D., 01.10.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 19, 22 p., 5155.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Reversible formation of alcohol solvates and their potential use for heat storage

    Korhammer, K., Mihály, J., Bálint, S., Trif, L., Vass, Á., Tompos, A. & Tálas, E., 01.10.2019, In: Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 138, 1, p. 11-33 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Substrate preference determines macrofungal biogeography in the greater Mekong Sub-Region

    Ye, L., Li, H., Mortimer, P. E., Xu, J., Gui, H., Karunarathna, S. C., Kumar, A., Hyde, K. D. & Shi, L., 01.10.2019, In: Forests. 10, 10, 14 p., 824.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Techno-economic assessment of non-sterile batch and continuous production of lactic acid from food waste

    Peinemann, J., Demichelis, F., Fiore, S. & Pleissner, D., 01.10.2019, In: Bioresource Technology. 289, 121631.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    The German Version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10): Evaluation of Dimensionality, Validity, and Measurement Invariance With Exploratory and Confirmatory Bifactor Modeling

    Reis, D., Lehr, D., Heber, E. & Ebert, D. D., 01.10.2019, In: Assessment (ASM). 26, 7, p. 1246-1259 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    The role of business models for sustainable consumption: A pattern approach

    Lüdeke-Freund, F., Froese, T. & Schaltegger, S., 01.10.2019, A Research Agenda for Sustainable Consumption Governance. Mont, O. (ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 86-104 19 p. (Elgar research agendas).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  32. Published

    Tree-species interactions increase light absorption and growth in Chinese subtropical mixed-species plantations

    Forrester, D. I., Rodenfels, P., Haase, J., Härdtle, W., Leppert, K. N., Niklaus, P. A., Oheimb, G., Scherer-Lorenzen, M. & Bauhus, J., 01.10.2019, In: Oecologia. 191, 2, p. 421-432 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Unlocking knowledge-policy action gaps in disaster-recovery-risk governance cycle: A governmentality approach

    Ghosh, A. & Boyd, E., 01.10.2019, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 39, 101236.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Differences in isoprenoid-mediated energy dissipation pathways between coastal and interior Douglas-fir seedlings in response to drought

    Junker-Frohn, L. V., Kleiber, A., Jansen, K., Gessler, A., Kreuzwieser, J. & Ensminger, I., 10.2019, In: Tree Physiology. 39, 10, p. 1750-1766 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Guidance for assessing interregional ecosystem service flows

    Koellner, T., Bonn, A., Arnhold, S., Bagstad, K. J., Fridman, D., Guerra, C. A., Kastner, T., Kissinger, M., Kleemann, J., Kuhlicke, C., Liu, J., López-Hoffman, L., Marques, A., Martín-López, B., Schulp, C. J. E., Wolff, S. & Schröter, M., 10.2019, In: Ecological Indicators. 105, p. 92-106 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Vermeidung von Biozideinträgen aus Gebäudeauswaschungen in urbane Oberflächengewässer und Grundwasser

    Olsson, O., Lange, J. & Kümmerer, K., 10.2019, In: KA - Korrespondenz Abwasser, Abfall. 66, 10, p. 812-819 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  37. Published

    Artful and sensory sustainability science: Exploring novel methodological perspectives

    Heinrichs, H. & Kagan, S., 30.09.2019, In: Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability. 8, 3, p. 431-442 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Seeing polycentrically: Examining governance situations using a polycentricity lens

    Blomquist, W. A. & Schröder, N. J. S., 30.09.2019, Governing Complexity: Analyzing and Applying Polycentricity. Thiel, A., Blomquist, W. A. & Garrick, D. E. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, p. 45-64 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  39. Published

    Learning from Indigenous Populations and Local Communities

    Molnár, Z., Doormann, L., Reyes-García, V., Martín-López, B., Berkes, F. & Bodin, Ö., 20.09.2019, In: One Earth. 1, 1, p. 16-17 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  40. Published

    Linking socio-technical transition studies and organisational change management: Steps towards an integrative, multi-scale heuristic

    Bögel, P., Pereverza, K., Upham, P. & Kordas, O., 20.09.2019, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 232, p. 359-368 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Guest editorial: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Vol. 10 No. 4

    Crutzen, N. (Editor), Van Bockhaven, J. (Editor), Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Giffinger, R. (Editor), 18.09.2019, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 10, 4, p. 646-653 8 p.

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

  42. Published

    ‚Natur’ im Konzept Vorsorgenden Wirtschaftens: Feministisch ökologische Perspektiven auf gesellschaftliche Natur- und Geschlechterverhältnisse

    Hofmeister, S., Kanning, H. & Mölders, T., 18.09.2019, Ökonomie des Versorgens: Feministisch-kritische Wirtschaftstheorien im deutschsprachigen Raum. Knobloch, U. (ed.). 1 ed. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag, p. 222-249 28 p. (Arbeitsgesellschaft im Wandel).

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

  43. Published

    Foundational Aspects of Polycentric Governance: Overarching Rules, Social-Problem Characteristics, and Heterogeneity

    Thiel, A. & Moser, C., 13.09.2019, Governing Complexity: Analyzing and Applying Polycentricity. Thiel, A., Blomquist, W. A. & Garrick, D. E. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 65-90 26 p. 3. (Cambridge studies in economics, choice, and society).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  44. Published

    Einträge von Bioziden und Transformationsprodukten aus Fassadenauswaschungen in urbane Oberflächengewässer und Grundwasser

    Olsson, O., 10.09.2019, Emissionsminderung von Punktquellen im ländlichen Raum: 12. Rostocker Abwassertagung. Tränckner, J. (ed.). Rostock: Universität Rostock, Vol. 88. p. 152-158 7 p. (Schriftenreihe Umweltingenieurwesen ; vol. 88).

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

  45. Published

    Loving the mess: navigating diversity and conflict in social values for sustainability

    Kenter, J. O., Raymond, C. M., van Riper, C. J., Azzopardi, E., Brear, M. R., Calcagni, F., Christie, I., Christie, M., Fordham, A., Gould, R. K., Ives, C. D., Hejnowicz, A. P., Gunton, R., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Kendal, D., Kronenberg, J., Massenberg, J. R., O’Connor, S., Ravenscroft, N., Rawluk, A., Raymond, I. J., Rodríguez-Morales, J. & Thankappan, S., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1439-1461 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Understanding the diversity of values of “Nature’s contributions to people”: insights from the IPBES Assessment of Europe and Central Asia

    Christie, M., Martín-López, B., Church, A., Siwicka, E., Szymonczyk, P. & Mena Sauterel, J., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1267–1282 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  48. Published

    Values in transformational sustainability science: four perspectives for change

    Horcea-Milcu, A.-I., Abson, D. J., Apetrei, C. I., Duse, I. A., Freeth, R., Riechers, M., Lam, D. P. M., Dorninger, C. & Lang, D. J., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1425-1437 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Computational history of knowledge: Challenges and opportunities

    Laubichler, M. D., Maienschein, J. & Renn, J., 01.09.2019, In: Isis. 110, 3, p. 502-512 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Focus: Computational history and philosophy of science: Introduction

    Gibson, A., Laubichler, M. D. & Maienschein, J., 01.09.2019, In: Isis. 110, 3, p. 497-501 5 p.

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

  51. Published

    Green technology innovation: Anatomy of exploration processes from a learning perspective

    Wicki, S. & Hansen, E. G., 01.09.2019, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 28, 6, p. 970-988 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review