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. 2018
  2. Published

    Legacy effects of land-use modulate tree growth responses to climate extremes

    Mausolf, K., Härdtle, W., Jansen, K., Delory, B., Hertel, D., Leuschner, C., Temperton, V. M., von Oheimb, G. & Fichtner, A., 01.07.2018, In: Oecologia. 187, 3, p. 825-837 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Photochemistry of 9-acridinecarboxaldehyde in aqueous media

    Palm, W. U., 01.07.2018, In: Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences. 17, 7, p. 964-974 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Sustainability Balanced Scorecards and their Architectures: Irrelevant or Misunderstood?

    Hansen, E. G. & Schaltegger, S., 01.07.2018, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 150, 4, p. 937-952 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    The lens of polycentricity: Identifying polycentric governance systems illustrated through examples from the field of water governance

    Schröder, N. J. S., 01.07.2018, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 28, 4, p. 236-251 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    The role of attitudes in technology acceptance management: Reflections on the case of hydrogen fuel cells in Europe

    Bögel, P., Oltra, C., Sala, R., Lores, M., Upham, P., Dütschke, E., Schneider, U. & Wiemann, P., 01.07.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 188, p. 125-135 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    A high-resolution approach for the spatiotemporal analysis of forest canopy space using terrestrial laser scanning data

    Hess, C., Härdtle, W., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A. & von Oheimb, G., 07.2018, In: Ecology and Evolution. 8, 13, p. 6800-6811 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    The Science and Practice of Landscape Stewardship, Claudia Bieling, Tobias Plieninger. Cambridge University Press (2017)

    Loos, J., 07.2018, In: Biological Conservation. 223, p. 181-183 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  9. Published

    Droege, Peter; Knieling, Jörg (Hrsg.) (2017): Regenerative Räume. Leitbilder und Praktiken nachhaltiger Raumentwicklung

    Heilmann, S., 30.06.2018, In: Raumforschung und Raumordnung. 76, 3, p. 271-273 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  10. Published

    Interaction between the barley allelochemical compounds gramine and hordenine and artificial lipid bilayers mimicking the plant plasma membrane

    Lebecque, S., Crowet, J. M., Lins, L., Delory, B. M., Du Jardin, P., Fauconnier, M. L. & Deleu, M., 28.06.2018, In: Scientific Reports. 8, 1, 13 p., 9784.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Severely burdened individuals do not need to be excluded from internet-based and mobile-based stress management: Effect modifiers of treatment outcomes from three randomized controlled trials

    Weisel, K. K., Lehr, D., Heber, E., Zarski, A. C., Berking, M., Riper, H. & Ebert, D. D., 19.06.2018, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 20, 6, e211.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Second comment on 'The climate mitigation gap: education and government recommendations miss the most effective individual actions'

    Pedersen, R. L. & Lam, D. P. M., 13.06.2018, In: Environmental Research Letters. 13, 6, 5 p., 068001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  13. Published

    Home range size and resource use of breeding and non-breeding white storks along a land use gradient

    Zurell, D., von Wehrden, H., Rotics, S., Kaatz, M., Groß, H., Schlag, L., Schäfer, M., Sapir, N., Turjeman, S., Wikelski, M., Nathan, R. & Jeltsch, F., 12.06.2018, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 6, JUN, 11 p., 79.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Bioavailability of Antibiotics at Soil-Water Interfaces: A Comparison of Measured Activities and Equilibrium Partitioning Estimates

    Menz, J., Müller, J., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 05.06.2018, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 52, 11, p. 6555-6564 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Bird Diversity and the Resilience of Southwestern Ethiopian Forests

    Rodrigues, P. & Fischer, J., 05.06.2018, In: Tropical Conservation Science. 11, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  16. Published

    Mindset-Oriented Negotiation Training (MONT): Teaching more than skills and knowledge

    Ade, V., Schuster, C., Harinck, F. & Trötschel, R., 05.06.2018, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 9, JUN, 13 p., 907.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Sustainability Transitions and the Spatial Interface: Developing Conceptual Perspectives

    Levin-Keitel, M., Mölders, T., Othengrafen, F. & Ibendorf, J., 05.06.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 6, 15 p., 1880.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Crop variety and prey richness affect spatial patterns of human-wildlife conflicts in Iran's Hyrcanian forests

    Meinecke, L., Soofi, M., Riechers, M., Khorozyan, I., Hosseini, H., Schwarze, S. & Waltert, M., 01.06.2018, In: Journal for Nature Conservation. 43, p. 165-172 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Culture in sustainable urban development: Practices and policies for spaces of possibility and institutional innovations

    Kagan, S., Hauerwaas, A., Holz, V. & Wedler, P., 01.06.2018, In: City, Culture, and Society. 13, p. 32-45 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Interregional flows of ecosystem services: Concepts, typology and four cases

    Schröter, M., Koellner, T., Alkemade, R., Arnhold, S., Bagstad, K. J., Erb, K. H., Frank, K., Kastner, T., Kissinger, M., Liu, J., López-Hoffman, L., Maes, J., Marques, A., Martín-López, B., Meyer, C., Schulp, C. J. E., Thober, J., Wolff, S. & Bonn, A., 01.06.2018, In: Ecosystem Services. 31, Part B, p. 231-241 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Patients' experiences in a guided Internet- and App-based stress intervention for college students: A qualitative study

    Fleischmann, R. J., Harrer, M., Zarski, A. C., Baumeister, H., Lehr, D. & Ebert, D. D., 01.06.2018, In: Internet Interventions. 12, p. 130-140 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Ten essentials for action-oriented and second order energy transitions, transformations and climate change research

    Fazey, I., Schäpke, N., Caniglia, G., Patterson, J., Hultman, J., van Mierlo, B., Säwe, F., Wiek, A., Wittmayer, J., Aldunce, P., Al Waer, H., Battacharya, N., Bradbury, H., Carmen, E., Colvin, J., Cvitanovic, C., D'Souza, M., Gopel, M., Goldstein, B., Hämäläinen, T., Harper, G., Henfry, T., Hodgson, A., Howden, M. S., Kerr, A., Klaes, M., Lyon, C., Midgley, G., Moser, S., Mukherjee, N., Müller, K., O'Brien, K., O'Connell, D. A., Olsson, P., Page, G., Reed, M. S., Searle, B., Silvestri, G., Spaiser, V., Strasser, T., Tschakert, P., Uribe-Calvo, N., Waddell, S., Rao-Williams, J., Wise, R., Wolstenholme, R., Woods, M. & Wyborn, C., 01.06.2018, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 40, June 2018, p. 54-70 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  23. Published

    What can conservation strategies learn from the ecosystem services approach? Insights from ecosystem assessments in two Spanish protected areas

    García-Llorente, M., Harrison, P. A., Berry, P., Palomo, I., Gómez-Baggethun, E., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Montes, C., García Del Amo, D. & Martín-López, B., 01.06.2018, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 27, 7, p. 1575-1597 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Facing the heat: A systematic literature review exploring the transferability of solutions to cope with urban heat waves

    Hintz, M. J., Lüderitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2018, In: Urban Climate. 24, p. 714-727 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

    Schrickel, I., 06.2018, Den Kalten Krieg vermessen: Über Reichweite und Alternativen einer binären Ordnungsvorstellung. Reichherzer, F., Droit, E. & Hansen, J. (eds.). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Oldenbourg , p. 199-214 16 p.

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

  26. Published

    Large mammal diversity matters for wildlife tourism in Southern African Protected Areas: Insights for management

    Arbieu, U., Grünewald, C., Martín-López, B., Schleuning, M. & Böhning-Gaese, K., 06.2018, In: Ecosystem Services. 31, p. 481-490 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Multi-trophic guilds respond differently to changing elevation in a subtropical forest

    Binkenstein, J., Klein, A. M., Assmann, T., Buscot, F., Erfmeier, A., Ma, K., Pietsch, K. A., Schmidt, K., Scholten, T., Wubet, T., Bruelheide, H., Schuldt, A. & Staab, M., 06.2018, In: Ecography. 41, 6, p. 1013-1023 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published
  29. Published

    The Role of Trust in Natural Resource Management Conflicts: A Forestry Case Study from Germany

    Juerges, N., Viedma, A., Leahy, J. & Newig, J., 06.2018, In: Forest Science. 64, 3, p. 330-339 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Action research in science education: an analytical review of the literature

    Laudonia, I., Mamlok-Naaman, R., Abels, S. & Eilks, I., 27.05.2018, In: Educational Action Research. 26, 3, p. 480-495 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  31. Published

    Is Peru prepared for large-scale sustainable rural electrification?

    Feron, S. & Cordero, R. R., 22.05.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 5, 20 p., 1683.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Preventing household food waste via nudging: an exploration of consumer perceptions

    von Kameke, C. & Fischer, D., 20.05.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 184, 2018, p. 32-40 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Inter- and intraspecific consumer trait variations determine consumer diversity effects in multispecies predator−prey systems

    Flöder, S., Bromann, L. & Moorthi, S., 16.05.2018, In: Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 81, 3, p. 243-256 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published
  35. Published

    Applying Place-Based Social-Ecological Research to Address Water Scarcity: Insights for Future Research

    Castro, A. J., Quintas-Soriano, C., Brandt, J., Atkinson, C. L., Baxter, C. V., Burnham, M., Egoh, B. N., Garcia-Llorente, M., Julian, J. P., Martin-López, B., Liao, F. H., Running, K., Vaughn, C. C. & Norström, A. V., 10.05.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 5, 13 p., 1516.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Beyond Biodiversity Conservation: Land Sharing Constitutes Sustainable Agriculture in European Cultural Landscapes

    Loos, J. & Wehrden, H., 02.05.2018, In: Sustainability. 10, 5, 11 p., 1395.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Innovative Höchstspannungsfreileitungssysteme - technische, landschaftsbildliche, ökologische und rechtliche Aspekte

    Lutz, L. M., Reutter, L., Butzeck, C., Runge, K. & Schomerus, C.-T., 01.05.2018, In: Natur und Landschaft. 93, 5, p. 201-207 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Modeling normativity in sustainability: a comparison of the sustainable development goals, the Paris agreement, and the papal encyclical

    Schmieg, G., Meyer, E., Schrickel, I., Herberg, J., Caniglia, G., Vilsmaier, U., Laubichler, M., Hörl, E. & Lang, D., 01.05.2018, In: Sustainability Science. 13, 3, p. 785-796 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Regional variations of organophosphorus flame retardants: Fingerprint of large river basin estuaries/deltas in Europe compared with China

    Wolschke, H., Sühring, R., Massei, R., Tang, J. & Ebinghaus, R., 01.05.2018, In: Environmental Pollution. 236, May 2018, p. 391-395 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    The governance of land use strategies: Institutional and social dimensions of land sparing and land sharing

    Jiren, T. S., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J. & Fischer, J., 01.05.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 3, 8 p., e12429.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    From lignin to nylon: Cascaded chemical and biochemical conversion using metabolically engineered Pseudomonas putida

    Kohlstedt, M., Starck, S., Barton, N., Stotzenberger, J., Selzer, M., Mehlmann, K., Schneider, R., Pleißner, D., Rinkel, J., Dickschat, J. S., Venus, J., van Duuren, J. N. J. H. & Wittmann, C., 05.2018, In: Metabolic Engineering. 47, May 2018, p. 279-293 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    The environmental performance of participatory and collaborative governance: A framework of causal mechanisms

    Newig, J., Challies, E., Jager, N. W., Kochskämper, E. & Adzersen, A., 05.2018, In: Policy Studies Journal. 46, 2, p. 269-297 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Taxonomic revision of the Graphipterus serrator (Forskål) group (Coleoptera, Carabidae): an increase from five to 15 valid species

    Renan, I., Assmann, T. & Freidberg, A., 26.04.2018, In: ZooKeys. 2018, 753, p. 23-82 60 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Effectiveness of an Internet- and App-Based Intervention for College Students With Elevated Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Harrer, M., Adam, S. H., Fleischmann, R. J., Baumeister, H., Auerbach, R., Bruffaerts, R., Cuijpers, P., Kessler, R. C., Berking, M., Lehr, D. & Ebert, D. D., 23.04.2018, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 20, 4, 16 p., e136.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Farmer Perceptions of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Scavengers: What, Who, and to Whom

    Morales-Reyes, Z., Martín-López, B., Moleón, M., Mateo-Tomás, P., Botella, F., Margalida, A., Donázar, J. A., Blanco, G., Pérez, I. & Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., 15.04.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 2, 11 p., e12392.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Die Formatfrage stellen. Das alternative Medienzentrum FC⚡MC zum G20-Gipfel

    Leistert, O., Bergermann, U., Grimm, M. & Keil, S., 12.04.2018, In: Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft. 10, 18-1, p. 111-129 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  47. Published

    Storytelling: Ein Ansatz zum Umgang mit Komplexität in der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation?

    Fischer, D. & Storksdieck, M., 05.04.2018, Zwischen Ohnmacht und Zuversicht?: Vom Umgang mit Komplexität in der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation. München: Oekom Verlag, p. 161-176 16 p. (DBU-Umweltkommunikation; vol. 10).

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

  48. Published

    Towards a Cyclical Concept of Real-World Laboratories: A Transdisciplinary Research Practice for Sustainability Transitions

    Wanner, M., Hilger, A., Westerkowski, J., Rose, M., Stelzer, F. & Schäpke, N., 03.04.2018, In: DISP. 54, 2, p. 94-114 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Transformation in a changing climate: a research agenda

    Fazey, I., Moug, P., Allen, S., Beckmann, K., Blackwood, D., Bonaventura, M., Burnett, K., Danson, M., Falconer, R., Gagnon, A. S., Harkness, R., Hodgson, A., Holm, L., Irvine, K. N., Low, R., Lyon, C., Moss, A., Moran, C., Naylor, L., O'Brien, K., Russell, S., Skerratt, S., Rao-Williams, J. & Wolstenholme, R., 03.04.2018, In: Climate and Development. 10, 3, p. 197-217 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  50. Published

    A theory of participation: what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work?

    Reed, M. S., Vella, S., Challies, E., de Vente, J., Frewer, L., Hohenwallner-Ries, D., Huber, T., Neumann, R. K., Oughton, E. A., Sidoli del Ceno, J. & van Delden, H., 01.04.2018, In: Restoration Ecology. 26, S1, p. S7-S17 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  51. Published

    Fluorescent tracers to evaluate pesticide dissipation and transformation in agricultural soils

    Lange, J., Olsson, O., Sweeny, B., Herbstritt, B., Reich, M., Alvarez-Zaldivar, P., Payraudeau, S. & Imfeld, G., 01.04.2018, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 619 - 620, p. 1682-1689 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review