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

    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

  3. Published

    Rätselhafte Röhren in der Landschaft

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

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Published

    Simulationen im Nawi-Unterricht: Erhebung des Status Quo

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2020, Naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenzen in der Gesellschaft von morgen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik Jahrestagung in Wien 2019. Habig, S. (ed.). Duisburg-Essen: Universität Duisburg-Essen, p. 736-739 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; vol. 40).

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

  8. Published

    Sustainability management from a responsible management perspective

    Beckmann, M., Schaltegger, S. & Landrum, N. E., 2020, Research handbook of responsible management. Laasch, O., Suddaby, R., Freeman, R. E. & Jamali, D. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 122-137 16 p. (Research Handbooks in Business and Management series).

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

  9. Published

    Vergebung: Zu einer Soziologie der Nachsicht

    Fücker, S., 2020, Frankfurt: Campus Verlag. 377 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Videobasierte Kompetenzforschung im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht.

    Brauns, S., Egger, D., Sellin, K. & Abels, S., 2020, Naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenzen in der Gesellschaft von morgen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik Jahrestagung in Wien 2019. Habig , S. (ed.). Duisburg-Essen: Universität Duisburg-Essen, p. 724-727 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik (GDCP) ; vol. 40).

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

  11. Published
  12. Published

    Wie man sich vor UV-Strahlung schützt. Eine fachliche Aufbereitung eines Alltagsthemas.

    Plotz, T. & Hofer, E., 2020, In: PLUS LUCIS. 2/2020, p. 20-24 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  13. Published

    Wie partizipativ sind Bottom-up-Transformationen?

    David, M., Schönborn, S. & Bleicher, A., 2020, Dezentral, partizipativ und kommunikativ: Zukunft der Energiewende. Kamlage, J.-H. & Engler, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Nordhausen: Verlag Traugott Bautz, p. 177-203 26 p.

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

  14. Published

    Zahlen statt nur Worte: Was nachhaltiges Controlling bewirken kann

    Schaltegger, S. & Michalski, A. M., 2020, In: IM+io. 02, p. 70-73 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  15. Published
  16. 2019
  17. Published
  18. Published

    Reflecting trends in the academic landscape of sustainable energy using probabilistic topic modeling

    Bickel, M. W., 20.12.2019, In: Energy, Sustainability and Society. 9, 1, 23 p., 49.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published
  20. Published

    Skills and knowledge management in higher education: how service learning can contribute to social entrepreneurial competence development

    Halberstadt, J., Timm, J.-M., Kraus, S. & Gundolf, K., 11.12.2019, In: Journal of Knowledge Management. 23, 10, p. 1925-1948 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published
  22. Published

    "Doing" Sustainability Assessment in Different Consumption and Production Contexts-Lessons from Case Study Comparison

    Engelmann, T., Fischer, D., Lörchner, M., Bowry, J. & Rohn, H., 09.12.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 24, 25 p., 7041.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Human-carnivore relations: Conflicts, tolerance and coexistence in the American West

    Expósito-Granados, M., Castro, A. J., Lozano, J., Aznar-Sanchez, J. A., Carter, N. H., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Malo, A. F., Olszańska, A., Morales-Reyes, Z., Moleón, M., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., Fischer, J. & Martín-López, B., 06.12.2019, In: Environmental Research Letters. 14, 12, 14 p., 123005.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  24. Published

    Democratic innovation and environmental governance

    Newig, J., Challies, E. & Jager, N. W., 05.12.2019, Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance. Elstub, S. & Escobar, O. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 324-338 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  25. Published

    A process-oriented framework of competencies for sustainability entrepreneurship

    Foucrier, T. & Wiek, A., 02.12.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 24, 18 p., 7250.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Cultural adaptation of internet interventions for refugees: Results from a user experience study in Germany

    Spanhel, K., Schweizer, J. S., Wirsching, D., Lehr, D., Baumeister, H., Bengel, J. & Sander, L., 01.12.2019, In: Internet Interventions. 18, 13 p., 100252.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Drivers of productivity and its temporal stability in a tropical tree diversity experiment

    Schnabel, F., Schwarz, J. A., Danescu, A., Fichtner, A., Nock, C., Bauhus, J. & Potvin, C., 01.12.2019, In: Global Change Biology. 25, 12, p. 4257-4272 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Dynamic norms drive sustainable consumption: Norm-based nudging helps café customers to avoid disposable to-go-cups

    Loschelder, D. D., Siepelmeyer, H., Fischer, D. & Rubel, J. A., 01.12.2019, In: Journal of Economic Psychology. 75, Part A, 102146.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Es geht auch anders! Nachhaltigkeitspioniere krempeln die Smartphone-Branche um

    Revellio, F. & Norris, S., 01.12.2019, In: Forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften. 4, p. 102-104 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  30. Published

    FragSAD: A database of diversity and species abundance distributions from habitat fragments

    Chase, J. M., Liebergesell, M., Sagouis, A., May, F., Blowes, S. A., Berg, Å., Bernard, E., Brosi, B. J., Cadotte, M. W., Cayuela, L., Chiarello, A. G., Cosson, J.-F., Cresswell, W., Dami, F. D., Dauber, J., Dickman, C. R., Didham, R. K., Edwards, D. P., Farneda, F. Z., Gavish, Y., Gonçalves-Souza, T., Guadagnin, D. L., Henry, M., López-Baucells, A., Kappes, H., Mac Nally, R., Manu, S., Martensen, A. C., McCollin, D., Meyer, C. F. J., Neckel-Oliveira, S., Nogueira, A., Pons, J.-M., Raheem, D. C., Ramos, F. N., Rocha, R., Sam, K., Slade, E., Stireman III, J. O., Struebig, M. J., Vasconcelos, H. & Ziv, Y., 01.12.2019, In: Ecology. 100, 12, 1 p., e02861.

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

  31. Published

    Key knowledge gaps to achieve global sustainability goals

    Mastrángelo, M. E., Pérez-Harguindeguy, N., Enrico, L., Bennett, E., Lavorel, S., Cumming, G. S., Abeygunawardane, D., Amarilla, L. D., Burkhard, B., Egoh, B. N., Frishkoff, L., Galetto, L., Huber, S., Karp, D. S., Ke, A., Kowaljow, E., Kronenburg-García, A., Locatelli, B., Martín-López, B., Meyfroidt, P., Mwampamba, T. H., Nel, J., Nicholas, K. A., Nicholson, C., Oteros-Rozas, E., Rahlao, S. J., Raudsepp-Hearne, C., Ricketts, T., Shrestha, U. B., Torres, C., Winkler, K. J. & Zoeller, K., 01.12.2019, In: Nature Sustainability. 2, 12, p. 1115-1121 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Multiple plant diversity components drive consumer communities across ecosystems

    Schuldt, A., Ebeling, A., Kunz, M., Staab, M., Guimarães-Steinicke, C., Bachmann, D., Buchmann, N., Durka, W., Fichtner, A., Fornoff, F., Härdtle, W., Hertzog, L., Klein, A.-M., Roscher, C., Schaller, J., von Oheimb, G., Weigelt, A., Weisser, W. W., Wirth, C., Zhang, J., Bruelheide, H. & Eisenhauer, N., 01.12.2019, In: Nature Communications. 10, 1, 11 p., 1460.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

    Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W., Raumonen, P., Bruelheide, H. & von Oheimb, G., 01.12.2019, In: Ecology Letters. 22, 12, p. 2130-2140 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Phosphorus status, use and recycling in a Chinese peri-urban region with intensive animal husbandry and cropping systems: Results from case study in a Sino-German applied research collaboration project

    Roelcke, M., Heimann, L., Hou, Y., Guo, J., Xue, Q., Jia, W., Ostermann, A., Huaitalla, R. M., Engbers, M., Olbrich, C., Scholz, R. W., Clemens, J., Schuchardt, F., Nieder, R., Liu, X. & Zhang, F., 01.12.2019, In: Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering. 6, 4, p. 388-402 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    Purchasing unpackaged food products: An empirical analysis of personal norms and contextual barriers

    Marken, G. H. & Hörisch, J., 01.12.2019, In: NachhaltigkeitsManagementForum. 27, 3-4, p. 165-175 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Root trait plasticity and plant nutrient acquisition in phosphorus limited soil

    Kumar, A., Shahbaz, M., Koirala, M., Blagodatskaya, E., Seidel, S. J., Kuzyakov, Y. & Pausch, J., 01.12.2019, In: Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 182, 6, p. 945-952 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    The impacts of social-ecological system change on human-nature connectedness: A case study from Transylvania, Romania

    Balázsi, Á., Riechers, M., Hartel, T., Leventon, J. & Fischer, J., 01.12.2019, In: Land Use Policy. 89, 104232.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    The Role of Linked Social-Ecological Systems in a Mobile Agent-Based Ecosystem Service from Giant Honey Bees (Apis dorsata) in an Indigenous Community Forest in Palawan, Philippines

    Matias, D. M. S., Borgemeister, C., Sémah, A. M. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2019, In: Human Ecology. 47, 6, p. 905-915 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Tomato plants rather than fertilizers drive microbial community structure in horticultural growing media

    Grunert, O., Robles Aguilar, A. A., Hernandez-Sanabria, E., Schrey, S., Reheul, D., Van Labeke, M.-C., Vlaeminck, S. E., Vandekerckhove, T. G. L., Mysara, M., Monsieurs, P., Temperton, V., Boon, N. & Jablonowski, N., 01.12.2019, In: Scientific Reports. 9, 1, 15 p., 9561 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Urban areas and urban-rural contrasts under climate change: What does the EURO-CORDEX ensemble tell us?-Investigating near surface humidity in berlin and its surroundings

    Langendijk, G. S., Rechid, D. & Jacob, D., 01.12.2019, In: Atmosphere. 10, 12, 22 p., 730.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    'Where is everybody?' An empirical appraisal of occurrence, prevalence and sustainability of technological species in the Universe

    Engler, J. O. & Von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2019, In: International Journal of Astrobiology. 18, 6, p. 495-501 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Das Reallabor als Forschungsprozess und -infrastruktur für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Konzepte, Herausforderungen und Empfehlungen

    Rose, M., Wanner, M. & Hilger, A., 12.2019, 2 ed., Wuppertal: Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie, 32 p. (Wuppertal Paper; no. 196).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  43. Published

    Occupational e-Mental Health – eine Übersicht zu Ansätzen, Evidenz und Implementierung

    Lehr, D. & Boß, L., 12.2019, Fehlzeiten-Report 2019: Digitalisierung - gesundes Arbeiten ermöglichen. Badura, B., Ducki, A., Schröder, H., Klose, J. & Meyer, M. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Nature, p. 155-178 24 p.

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

  44. Published

    Recent trends in green and sustainable chemistry: rethinking textile waste in a circular economy

    To, M. H., Uisan, K., Ok, Y. S., Pleißner, D. & Lin, C., 12.2019, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 20, p. 1-10 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Rettet die Bienen! Eine differenzierte Perspektive auf das Bienensterben

    Kater-Wettstädt, L. & Barth, M., 12.2019, Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung im Sachunterricht: Grundlagen und Praxisbeispiele. Wulfmeyer, M. (ed.). Baltmannsweiler: Schneider Verlag Hohengehren, Vol. 43. p. 77-92 16 p. (Basiswissen Grundschule; vol. 43).

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

  46. Published

    To which gender's disadvantage are school grades biased - girls or boys?

    Schuster, C., 12.2019, In: The In-Mind. 42: Gender Special Issue

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  47. 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

  48. 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

  49. 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

  50. Published
  51. 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

  52. 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