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. 2017
  2. Published

    Nachhaltige Chemie - das künftige Leitbild

    Kümmerer, K., 12.2017, In: Angewandte Chemie. 129, 52, p. 16640-16641 2 p.

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

  3. Published

    Sustainability conflicts in Coastal India: Hazards, changing climate and development discourse in Indian Sundarbans

    Ghosh, A., 12.2017, 1 ed. Germany: Springer Verlag. 245 p. (Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  4. Published

    Toward a methodical framework for comprehensively assessing forest multifunctionality

    Trogisch, S., Schuldt, A., Bauhus, J., Blum, J. A., Both, S., Buscot, F., Castro-Izaguierre, N., Chesters, D., Durka, W., Eichenberg, D., Erfmeier, A., Fischer, M., Geißler, C., Germany, M., Goebes, P., Gutknecht, J., Hahn, C. Z., Haider, S., Härdtle, W., He, J.-S., Hector, A., Hönig, L., Huang, Y., Klein, A.-M., Kühn, P., Kunz, M., Leppert, K. N., Li, Y., Liu, X., Niklaus, P. A., Pei, Z., Pietsch, K., Prinz, R., Proß, T., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Schmidt, K., Scholten, T., Seitz, S., Song, Z., Staab, M., von Oheimb, G., Weißbecker, C., Welk, E., Wirth, C., Wubet, T., Yang, B., Yang, X., Zhu, C.-D., Schmid, B., Ma, K. & Bruelheide, H., 12.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 24, p. 10652-10674 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Upsides and downsides of the sharing economy: Collaborative consumption business models’ stakeholder value impacts and their relationship to context

    Dreyer, B., Lüdeke-Freund, F., Hamann, R. & Faccer, K., 12.2017, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 125, p. 87-104 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Online-scheduling using past and real-time data: An assessment by discrete event simulation using exponential smoothing

    Heger, J., Grundstein, S. & Freitag, M., 19.11.2017, In: CIRP - Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology. 19, p. 158-163 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Democratising platform governance in the sharing economy: An analytical framework and initial empirical insights

    Martin, C. J., Upham, P. & Klapper, R., 10.11.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 166, p. 1395-1406 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Scale in environmental governance: moving from concepts and cases to consolidation

    Newig, J. & Moss, T., 06.11.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning. 19, 5, p. 473-479 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Bridging divides in sustainability science

    Lang, D. J., Wiek, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.11.2017, In: Sustainability Science. 12, 6, p. 875 - 879 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  10. Published

    Disaggregating ecosystem services and disservices in the cultural landscapes of southwestern Ethiopia: a study of rural perceptions

    Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J., Collier, N. F., Hylander, K., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 01.11.2017, In: Landscape Ecology. 32, 11, p. 2151-2165 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Early-Career Researchers’ Perceptions of the Prevalence of Questionable Research Practices, Potential Causes, and Open Science

    Stürmer, S., Oeberst, A., Trötschel, R. & Decker, O., 01.11.2017, In: Social Psychology. 48, 6, p. 365-371 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Mapping Complexity in Environmental Governance: A comparative analysis of 37 priority issues in German water management

    Kirschke, S., Borchardt, D. & Newig, J., 01.11.2017, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 27, 6, p. 534 - 559 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Middle Pleistocene interglacial peat deposits from Northern Germany investigated by 230Th/U and palynology: Case studies from Wedel and Schöningen

    Sierralta, M., Urban, B., Linke, G. & Frechen, M., 01.11.2017, In: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften. 168 , 3, p. 373 - 387 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published
  15. Published

    Accuracy and bias of methods used for root length measurements in functional root research

    Delory, B., Weidlich, E. W. A., Meder, L., Lütje, A., Duijnen, R. V., Weidlich, R. & Temperton, V. M., 11.2017, In: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 8, 11, p. 1594-1606 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning relations in European forests depend on environmental context.

    Ratcliffe, S., Wirth, C., Jucker, T., van der Plas, F., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Verheyen, K., Allan, E., Benavides, R., Bruelheide, H., Ohse, B., Paquette, A., Ampoorter, E., Bastias, C. C., Bauhus, J., Bonal, D., Bouriaud, O., Bussotti, F., Carnol, M., Castagneyrol, B., Checko, E., Dawud, S. M., de Wandeler, H., Domisch, T., Finér, L., Fischer, M., Fotelli, M., Gessler, A., Granier, A., Grossiord, C., Guyot, V., Haase, J., Hättenschwiler, S., Jactel, H., Jaroszewicz, B., Joly, F.-X., Kambach, S., Kolb, S., Koricheva, J., Liebergesell, M., Milligan, H., Müller, S., Muys, B., Nguyen, D., Nock, C., Pollastrini, M., Purschke, O., Radoglou, K., Rauland-Rasmussen, K., Roger, F., Ruiz-Benito, P., Seidl, R., Selvi, F., Seiferling, I., Stenlid, J., Valladares, F., Vesterdal, L. & Baeten, L., 11.2017, In: Ecology Letters. 20, 11, p. 1414-1426 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Der gestaltende Staat im Kontext gesellschaftlichen Wandels: Herausforderungen und Gestaltungsansätze für Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien und -politiken

    Heinrichs, H., 11.2017, Dessau: Umweltbundesamt, 58 p. (Texte; no. 107/2017)(Für Mensch & Umwelt).

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  18. Published

    Editorial: Psychische gesundheit von chronisch kranken und/oder behinderten kindern und jugendlichen und Ihren familien

    Hampel, P. & Salisch, M., 11.2017, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 66, 9, p. 652–655 4 p.

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

  19. Published

    From trade-offs to synergies in food security and biodiversity conservation

    Hanspach, J., Abson, D. J., Collier, N., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J. & Fischer, J., 11.2017, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 15, 9, p. 489 - 494 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Participation for Effective Environmental Governance: Evidence from European Water Framework Directive Implementation

    Kochskämper, E. (Editor), Challies, E. (Editor), Jager, N. W. (Editor) & Newig, J. (Editor), 16.10.2017, London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 180 p. (Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  21. Published

    Schreibwerkstatt MINT: Wissenschaftliches Schreiben in den Fachbereichen 1 bis 5 fördern und unterstützen

    Rodenhauser, A., 16.10.2017, Bremen : Universität Bremen.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsEducation

  22. Published

    Social entrepreneurship orientation: development of a measurement scale

    Kraus, S., Niemand, T., Halberstadt, J., Shaw, E. & Syrjä, P., 16.10.2017, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. 23, 6, p. 977-997 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    The reciprocal iso-inhibition volume concept: A procedure for the evaluation in effect-directed analysis with thin-layer chromatography - using the thin-layer chromatography-luminescent bacteria assay as an example

    Schulz, W., Weiss, S. C., Weber, W. H. & Winzenbacher, R., 13.10.2017, In: Journal of Chromatography A. 1519, p. 121-130 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Rural electrification efforts based on off-grid photovoltaic systems in the Andean Region: Comparative assessment of their sustainability

    Feron, S., Cordero, R. R. & Labbe, F., 11.10.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 10, 24 p., 1825.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Mapping giant honey bee nests in Palawan, Philippines through a transdisciplinary approach

    Matias, D. M. S., Stellmacher, T., Borgemeister, C., Cayron, J. G. & von Wehrden, H., 03.10.2017, In: Development in Practice: stimulating thought for action. 27, 7, p. 903-912 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Evolution of game-play in the Australian Football League from 2001 to 2015

    Woods, C. T., Robertson, S. & Collier, N., 02.10.2017, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 35, 19, p. 1879-1887 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Grazing, exploring and networking for sustainability-oriented innovations in learning-action networks: an SME perspective

    Klewitz, J., 02.10.2017, In: Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research. 30, 4, p. 476 - 503 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    In Search of the Dominant Rationale in Sustainability Management: Legitimacy- or Profit-Seeking?

    Schaltegger, S. & Hörisch, J., 01.10.2017, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 145, 2, p. 259-276 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Interdisciplinary Review of Medium-deep Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in North Germany

    Holstenkamp, L., Meisel, M., Neidig, P., Opel, O., Steffahn, J., Strodel, N., Lauer, J. J., Vogel, M., Degenhart, H., Michalzik, D., Schomerus, C.-T., Schönebeck, J. & Növig, T., 01.10.2017, In: Energy Procedia. 135, p. 327-336 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Investigation of food waste valorization through sequential lactic acid fermentative production and anaerobic digestion of fermentation residues

    Demichelis, F., Pleissner, D., Mariano, S., Fiore, S., Navarro Gutiérrez, I. M., Schneider, R. & Venus, J., 01.10.2017, In: Bioresource Technology. 241, p. 508-516 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    La aceptación pública de las aplicaciones de las Pilas de Combustible de Hidrógeno en Europa

    Oltra, C., Dütschke, E., Sala, R., Schneider, U. & Upham, P., 01.10.2017, In: Revista Internacional de Sociologia. 75, 4, 15 p., e076.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Oxygen dependence in the photoreaction of the pesticide metamitron

    Palm, W.-U., 01.10.2017, In: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. 347, p. 138-145 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Kommentar zur .,Stellungnahme zur Lage des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Psychologie" von Rentzsch et al.

    Stürmer, S., Oeberst, A., Trötschel, R. & Decker, O., 10.2017, In: Psychologische Rundschau. 68, 4, p. 270-272 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  34. Published

    Local food sovereignty for global food security? Highlighting interplay challenges

    Leventon, J. & Laudan, J., 10.2017, In: Geoforum. 85, p. 23-26 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    Methane yield of biomass from extensive grassland is affected by compositional changes induced by order of arrival

    Popp, D., von Gillhaussen, P., Weidlich, E. W. A., Sträuber, H., Harms, H. & Temperton, V. M., 10.2017, In: Global Change Biology : Bioenergy. 9, 10, p. 1555 - 1562 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Three Meta-Analyses of Children’s Emotion Knowledge and Their School Success

    Voltmer, K. & Salisch, M., 10.2017, In: Learning and Individual Differences. 59, p. 107 - 118 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient Measurement by a Simple 1H NMR Method

    Cumming, H. & Rücker, C., 30.09.2017, In: ACS Omega. 2, 9, p. 6244-6249 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Policy implementation through multi-level governance: analysing practical implementation of EU air quality directives in Germany

    Gollata, J. A. M. & Newig, J., 24.09.2017, In: Journal of European Public Policy. 24, 9, p. 1308-1327 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Acknowledging temporal diversity in sustainability transformations at the nexus of interconnected systems

    Weiser, A., Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 273-285 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Clean energy storage technology in the making: An innovation systems perspective on flywheel energy storage

    Wicki, S. & Hansen, E., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 1118-1134 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Mindfulness and Sustainable Consumption: A Systematic Literature Review of Research Approaches and Findings

    Fischer, D., Stanszus, L., Geiger, S., Grossman, P. & Schrader, U., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 544-558 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  42. Published

    Die Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie: Wegweiser für eine Politik der Nachhaltigkeit

    Michelsen, G. (Editor), 14.09.2017, 2 ed. Wiesbaden: Hessische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung. 176 p. (forum hlz)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  43. Published

    Managing and Measuring the Business Case for Sustainability: Capturing the Relationship between Sustainability Performance, Business Competitiveness and Economic Performance

    Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M., 08.09.2017, Managing the Business Case for Sustainability: The Integration of Social, Environmental and Economic Performance. Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M. (eds.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 1-27 27 p.

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

  44. Published

    Mapping the Links of Corporate Sustainability: Sustainability Balanced Scorecards as a Tool for Sustainability Performance Measurement and Management

    Wagner, M. & Schaltegger, S., 08.09.2017, Managing the Business Case for Sustainability: The Integration of Social, Environmental and Economic Performance. Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M. (eds.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 108-126 21 p.

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

  45. Published

    Modelling age-related changes in motor competence and physical fitness in high-level youth soccer players: implications for talent identification and development

    Fransen, J., Bennett, K. J. M., Woods, C. T., French-Collier, N., Deprez, D., Vaeyens, R. & Lenoir, M., 02.09.2017, In: Science and Medicine in Football. 1, 3, p. 203-208 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Quantitative and qualitative insights into consumers’ sustainable purchasing behaviour: A segmentation approach based on motives and heuristic cues

    Eberhart, A. K. & Naderer, G., 02.09.2017, In: Journal of Marketing Management. 33, 13-14, p. 1149-1169 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Facilitating regional energy transition strategies: Toward a typology of regions

    Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Wehrden, H., 01.09.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 9, 17 p., 1560.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Feedstocks and analysis: General discussion

    Aldous, L., Argyropoulos, D., Budarin, V., Cabrera-Rodríguez, C. I., Clark, J., Coma, M., Constable, D., Fan, J., Gschwend, F., Hayes, D., Hu, C., Huber, G., Hughes, T., Hunt, A., Lapkin, A., Lye, G., Mascal, M., Matharu, A., Mu, X., Pant, D., Papaioannou, E., Rinaldi, R., Rothenberg, G., Samec, J., Sarkanen, S., Stankiewicz, A., Stevens, C., Titirici, M., Waldron, K., Wilson, K., Zhenova, A., Zhou, L. & Zuin, V., 01.09.2017, In: Faraday Discussions. 202, p. 497-519 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  49. Published

    Functional traits drive ground beetle community structures in Central European forests: Implications for conservation

    Nolte, D., Schuldt, A., Gossner, M. M., Ulrich, W. & Assmann, T., 01.09.2017, In: Biological Conservation. 213, Part A, p. 5-12 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Income inequality and willingness to pay for environmental public goods

    Baumgärtner, S., Drupp, M. A., Meya, J. N., Munz, J. M. & Quaas, M. F., 01.09.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 85, p. 35-61 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Sustainability as a Fundamental Challenge for Management Accountants

    Schaltegger, S., 01.09.2017, The Role of the Management Accountant: Local Variations and Global Influences. Goretzki, L. & Strauss, E. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 274-291 18 p. (Routledge studies in accounting; vol. 26).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review