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

    Comparison of eco-effectiveness and eco-efficiency based criteria for the construction of single-family homes

    Lindner, S., Braungart, M. & Essig, N., 25.02.2019, In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 225, 1, 9 p., 012041.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Reducing aquatic micropollutants – Increasing the focus on input prevention and integrated emission management

    Kümmerer, K., Dionysiou, D. D., Olsson, O. & Fatta-Kassinos, D., 20.02.2019, In: Science of the Total Environment. 652, p. 836-850 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Company reputation and its influence on consumer trust in response to ongoing CSR communication

    Bögel, P. M., 17.02.2019, In: Journal of Marketing Communications. 25, 2, p. 115-136 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Perspectives on comprehensive sustainability-orientation in municipalities: Structuring existing approaches

    Kirst, E. & Lang, D. J., 16.02.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 4, 21 p., 1040.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    A flexible semi-empirical model for estimating ammonia volatilization from field-applied slurry

    Hafner, S. D., Pacholski, A., Bittman, S., Carozzi, M., Chantigny, M., Génermont, S., Häni, C., Hansen, M. N., Huijsmans, J., Kupper, T., Misselbrook, T., Neftel, A., Nyord, T. & Sommer, S. G., 15.02.2019, In: Atmospheric Environment. 199, p. 474-484 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Litter quality, land-use history, and nitrogen deposition effects on topsoil conditions across European temperate deciduous forests

    Maes, S. L., Blondeel, H., Perring, M. P., Depauw, L., Brūmelis, G., Brunet, J., Decocq, G., den Ouden, J., Härdtle, W., Hédl, R., Heinken, T., Heinrichs, S., Jaroszewicz, B., Kirby, K., Kopecký, M., Máliš, F., Wulf, M. & Verheyen, K., 15.02.2019, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 433, p. 405-418 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Livelihood strategies, capital assets, and food security in rural Southwest Ethiopia

    Manlosa, A. O., Hanspach, J., Schultner, J., Dorresteijn, I. & Fischer, J., 15.02.2019, In: Food Security. 11, 1, p. 167-181 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    A clue on bee glue: New insight into the sources and factors driving resin intake in honeybees (Apis mellifera)

    Drescher, N., Klein, A. M., Schmitt, T. & Leonhardt, S. D., 06.02.2019, In: PLoS ONE. 14, 2, 20 p., e0210594.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Three ways forward to improve regional information for extreme events: An early career perspective

    Langendijk, G. S., Aubry-Wake, C., Osman, M., Gulizia, C., Attig-Bahar, F., Behrens, E., Bertoncini, A., Hart, N., Indasi, V. S., Innocenti, S., van der Linden, E. C., Mamnun, N., Rasouli, K., Reed, K. A., Ridder, N., Rivera, J., Ruscica, R., Ukazu, B. U., Walawender, J. P., Walker, D. P., Woodhams, B. J. & Yilmaz, Y. A., 04.02.2019, In: Frontiers in Environmental Science. 7, FEB, 6.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Agriculturally productive yet biodiverse: human benefits and conservation values along a forest-agriculture gradient in Southern Ethiopia

    Baudron, F., Schultner, J., Duriaux, J. Y., Gergel, S. E. & Sunderland, T., 01.02.2019, In: Landscape Ecology. 34, 2, p. 341-356 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Determinants of farm size and stocking rate in Namibian commercial cattle farming

    Engler, J.-O., Wehrden, H. & Baumgärtner, S., 01.02.2019, In: Land Use Policy. 81, p. 232-246 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Purely ornamental? Public perceptions of distributed energy storage in the United Kingdom

    Ambrosio-Albalá, P., Upham, P. & Bale, C. S. E., 01.02.2019, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 48, p. 139-150 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Strengthening Sensory Sustainability Science - Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

    Heinrichs, H., 01.02.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 3, 16 p., 769.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published
  16. Published

    Editorial

    Salisch, M. & Resch, F., 02.2019, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 68, 2, p. 90-92 3 p.

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

  17. Published

    Editorial overview: Selected papers from the 3rd Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference 2018

    Kuemmerer, K. & Liu, Z., 02.2019, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 15, Special Issue, p. A4-A5 2 p.

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

  18. Published

    Framing sustainability and climate change: Interrogating discourses in vernacular and English-language media in Sundarbans, India

    Ghosh, A. & Boykoff, M., 02.2019, In: Geoforum. 99, p. 142-153 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Gebäude als Stoffquelle: Erkenntnisse aus dem BMBF-Projekt MUTReWa

    Olsson, O., Hensen, B., Lange, J. (Contributor), Jackisch, N. (Contributor) & Kümmerer, K., 02.2019, Stadt und Land im Fluss - Starke Kommunen!: Tagungsband Münster, 26. und 27. Februar 2019. Münster: Institut für Infrastruktur, Wasser, Ressourcen, Umwelt der Fachhochschule Münster, Vol. 6. p. 121-128 8 p.

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

  20. Published

    Nitrogen fixation and carbon assimilation of the desert legume Tephrosia apollinea under PEG-induced osmotic stress

    Hussain, M. I., El-Keblawy, A., Aljabi, A. E., Aljabi, D. E., Hafez, M., Al Jasmi, A., Schampoel, T. & Temperton, V. M., 02.2019, In: Flora. 251, p. 105-113 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Spatial characterization of coastal marine social-ecological systems: Insights for integrated management

    Lazzari, N., Becerro, M. A., Sanabria-Fernandez, J. A. & Martín-López, B., 02.2019, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 92, p. 56-65 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published
  23. Published

    The 3 rd green & sustainable chemistry conference successfully brings together scientists and innovators from all over the world to discuss sustainable chemistry

    Elschami, M. & Bazzanella, A., 02.2019, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 15, p. 115-117 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Zukunftsfähige Bildung. Unterricht als Bewältigung von Herausforderungen im Sinne einer Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Kater-Wettstädt, L., 02.2019, Jahrbuch für Allgemeine Didaktik 2018.: Unterrichten wir das "Richtige"? Die Frage nach zeitgemäßen Inhalten in der Schule. Zierer, K. (ed.). Baltmannsweiler: Schneider Verlag Hohengehren, p. 65-74 9 p.

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

  25. Published

    Building a Coalition with Depoliticized Sustainability Discourse: The Case of a Transdisciplinary Transition Management Arena in Peru

    Noboa, E., Upham, P. J. & Heinrichs, H., 31.01.2019, In: Journal of Sustainable Development. 12, 1, p. 84-107 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green change along an urban-periurban gradient

    Riechers, M., Strack, M., Barkmann, J. & Tscharntke, T., 26.01.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 3, 10 p., 645.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Web-Based Stress Management Program for University Students in Indonesia: Systematic Cultural Adaptation and Protocol for a Feasibility Study.

    Juniar, D., van Ballegooijen, W., Karyotaki, E., van Schaik, A., Passchier, J., Heber, E., Lehr, D., Supardi Sadarjoen, S. & Riper, H., 25.01.2019, In: JMIR Research Protocols. 8, 1, 11 p., e11493.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Nachhaltige Verwaltung

    Heinrichs, H. & Schuster, F., 11.01.2019, Handbuch zur Verwaltungsreform. Veit, S., Reichard, C. & Wewer, G. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer, p. 1-11 11 p. (Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften)(Springer Reference Live).

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

  29. Published

    Enabling the identification of industrial symbiosis (IS) through information communication technology (ICT)

    Lütje, A., Willenbacher, M., Möller, A. & Wohlgemuth, V., 08.01.2019, Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2019. Bui, T. X. (ed.). IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., p. 709-719 11 p. (Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences; vol. 2019-January).

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

  30. Published

    Biotechnological production of organic acids from renewable resources

    Pleissner, D., Dietz, D., Duuren, J., Wittmann, C., Yang, X., Lin, C. S. K. & Venus, J., 01.01.2019, Biorefineries. Wagemann, K. & Tippkötter, N. (eds.). CHAM: Springer, Vol. 166. p. 373-410 38 p. (Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology; vol. 166).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  31. Published

    Business, the Natural Environment, and Sustainability: A Stakeholder Theory Perspective

    Hörisch, J. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2019, The Cambridge Handbook of Stakeholder Theory. Harrison, J. S., Barney, J. B., Freeman, R. E. & Phillips, R. A. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 132-144 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  32. Published

    Collaborative governance towards cities sustainability transition

    Conti, D. D. M., de Hoyos Guevara, A. J., Heinrichs, H., da Silva, L. F., Quaresma, C. C. & Bete, T. D. S., 01.01.2019, In: URBE - Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana. 11, 19 p., e20190046.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Die Forschungsbohrung Garding-2 – ein neues wichtiges Klima- und Paläoumwelt-Archiv an der Westküste Schleswig-Holsteins

    Grube, A., Frechen, M., Hesse, K., Proborukmi, M. S., Urban, B., Wonik, T. & Zhang, J., 01.01.2019, In: Natur- und Landeskunde Zeitschrift für Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Mecklenburg. 126, 1-3, p. 1-15 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Disentangling ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘nature’s contributions to people’

    Kadykalo, A. N., López-Rodriguez, M. D., Ainscough, J., Droste, N., Ryu, H., Ávila-Flores, G., Le Clec’h, S., Muñoz, M. C., Nilsson, L., Rana, S., Sarkar, P., Sevecke, K. J. & Harmáčková, Z. V., 01.01.2019, In: Ecosystems and People. 15, 1, p. 269-287 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    Ecosystems and People – an inclusive, interdisciplinary journal

    Martín-López, B., van Oudenhoven, A. P. E., Balvanera, P., Crossman, N. D., Parrotta, J., Rusch, G. M., Schröter, M. & Smith-Hall, C., 01.01.2019, In: Ecosystems and People. 15, 1, p. 1-2 2 p.

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

  36. Published

    Identifying governance gaps among interlinked sustainability challenges

    Bergsten, A., Jiren, T. S., Leventon, J., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J. & Fischer, J., 01.01.2019, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 91, p. 27-38 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Leverage points 2019: A transdisciplinary conference, inspiring change

    Leventon, J., Zimmermann, H., Von Wehrden, H. & Becker, S., 01.01.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 1, p. 55-57 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Preparing Pre-service Teachers for Inclusive Education: Analyzing the Status Quo and Comparing the Effect of Different Types of Subject-Specific Learning Opportunities

    Troll, B., Besser, M., Abels, S., Ahlers, M., Greve, S., Leiß, D. & Süßenbach, J., 01.01.2019, Inclusive Mathematics Education: State-of-the-Art Research from Brazil and Germany. Kollosche, D., Marcone, R., Knigge, M., Penteado, M. G. & Skovsmose, O. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 537-559 23 p.

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

  39. Published

    Rethinking gender: feminist perspectives on Sustainable Development Goals in the light of (re)productivity

    Mölders, T., 01.01.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 2, p. 95-99 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  40. Published

    Shepherds’ local knowledge and scientific data on the scavenging ecosystem service: Insights for conservation

    Morales-Reyes, Z., Martín-López, B., Moleón, M., Mateo-Tomás, P., Olea, P. P., Arrondo, E., Donázar, J. A. & Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., 01.01.2019, In: Ambio. 48, 1, p. 48-60 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Transferring biodiversity-ecosystem function research to the management of ‘real-world’ ecosystems

    Manning, P., Loos, J., Barnes, A. D., Batáry, P., Bianchi, F. J. J. A., Buchmann, N., De Deyn, G. B., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Fischer, M., Fründ, J., Grass, I., Isselstein, J., Jochum, M., Klein, A. M., Klingenberg, E. O. F., Landis, D. A., Lepš, J., Lindborg, R., Meyer, S. T., Temperton, V. M., Westphal, C. & Tscharntke, T., 01.01.2019, Mechanisms underlying the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function. Eisenhauer, N., Bohan, D. A. & Dumbrell, A. J. (eds.). London: Academic Press Inc., p. 323-356 34 p. (Advances in Ecological Research; vol. 61).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  42. Published

    Environmental drivers interactively affect individual tree growth across temperate European forests

    Maes, S. L., Perring, M. P., Vanhellemont, M., Depauw, L., Van den Bulcke, J., Brūmelis, G., Brunet, J., Decocq, G., den Ouden, J., Härdtle, W., Hédl, R., Heinken, T., Heinrichs, S., Jaroszewicz, B., Kopecký, M., Máliš, F., Wulf, M. & Verheyen, K., 01.2019, In: Global Change Biology. 25, 1, p. 201-217 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Forschendes Lernen an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg: Das Leuphana Semester

    Weiser, A., Hill, M. B., Picht, L., Prien-Ribcke, S., Lübcke, E. & Heudorfer, A., 01.2019, Forschendes Lernen in der Studieneingangsphase: Empirische Befunde, Fallbeispiele und individuelle Perspektiven. Reinmann, G., Lübcke, E. & Heudorfer, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 193-207 15 p.

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

  44. Published

    Intra-Individual Value Change in Adulthood: A Systematic Literature Review of Longitudinal Studies Assessing Schwartz’s Value Orientations

    Schuster, C., Pinkowski, L. & Fischer, D., 01.2019, In: Zeitschrift für Psychologie. 227, 1, p. 42-52 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Kommunalspezifische Nachhaltigkeitssteuerung: Erfahrungen und Empfehlungen

    Kirst, E., Lang, D. J., Heinrichs, H. & Plawitzki, J., 01.2019, In: GAIA. 28, 2, p. 151-159 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  46. Published

    A Computational Research System for the History of Science

    Damerow, J., Peirson, E. & Laubichler, M. D., 2019, Culture and Cognition: Essays in Honor of Peter Damerow. Renn, J. & Schemmel, M. (eds.). Berlin: Edition Open Access, Vol. 11. p. 245-255 11 p.

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

  47. Published

    AGIL – Arbeit und Gesundheit im Lehrerberuf: Das persönliche Arbeitsbuch

    Hillert, A., Lehr, D., Koch, S., Bracht, M. M., Ueing, S., Sosnowsky-Waschek, N. & Lüdtke, K., 2019, 1 ed. Stuttgart: Schattauer Verlag. 213 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesTransfer

  48. Published

    A new vision of sustainable management in mining and post-mining landscapes

    Apaéstegui Campos, J., Barbosa, P. M., Brandão, L., de Azevedo, A. C., Casanova, M., Cord, A., Gerner, N., Giese, E. C., Händel, F., Jager, N. W., Jessen, G. L., Lepenies, R., Marchezini, V., Pujoni, D., Salma, A., Sánchez, A. S., Schierz, A., Stemke, M., Ussath, M., Val, P., Whaley-Martin, K., Yamamoto, F. Y. & Zorzal-Almeida, S., 2019, Halle: Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina e.V., 28 p. (Science policy report).

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  49. Published

    Arbitrating the Oceans: The Future of Inter-State Arbitration in the International Law of the Sea

    Schatz, V. J., 2019, Rowan Planterose & John Tackaberry (Hrsg.), A Brand New World: The Evolution and Future of Arbitration . London, p. 269-278

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  50. Published

    A two-step approach for the prediction of mood levels based on diary data

    Bremer, V., Becker, D., Genz, T., Funk, B. & Lehr, D., 2019, Machine Learning and Knowledge Discovery in Databases - European Conference, ECML PKDD 2018, Proceedings: European Conference, ECML PKDD 2018, Dublin, Ireland. Brefeld, U., Curry, E., Daly, E., MacNamee, B., Marascu, A., Pinelli, F., Berlingerio, M. & Hurley, N. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, p. 626-629 4 p. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics); vol. 11053 LNAI).

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

  51. Published

    „Beziehungsweise“ werden oder das sozialisatorische Potential von Freundschaften unter Jugendlichen

    Salisch, M., 2019, Zukunft der Freundschaft: Freundschaft zwischen Idealisierung und Auflösung. Stiehler, S. (ed.). Berlin: Frank & Timme, p. 105-122 17 p. (Transposition – Ostschweizer Beiträge zu Lehre, Forschung und Entwicklung in der Sozialen Arbeit; vol. 7).

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