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

    Inside honeybee hives: Impact of natural propolis on the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and viruses

    Drescher, N., Klein, A. M., Neumann, P., Yañez, O. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.03.2017, In: Insects. 8, 1, 18 p., 15.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Separation of lactic acid and recovery of salt-ions from fermentation broth

    Pleissner, D., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Koch, T., 01.03.2017, In: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 92, 3, p. 504-511 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Is subjective knowledge the key to fostering sustainable behavior? Mixed evidence from an education intervention in Mexico

    Redman, A. & Redman, E., 03.2017, In: Education Sciences. 7, 1, 38 p., 4.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Late pliocene–pleistocene record of the garding-2 research drill core, Northwest Germany

    Proborukmi, M. S., Urban, B., Frechen, M., Grube, A. & Rolf, C., 03.2017, In: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften. 168, 1, p. 141-167 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Reallabore im Kontext Transformativer Forschung: Ansatzpunkte zur Konzeption und Einbettung in den internationalen Forschungsstand

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Bergmann, M., Singer-Brodowski, M., Wanner, M., Caniglia, G. & Lang, D. J., 25.02.2017, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 62 p. (IETSR Discussion papers in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research ; no. 1/2017).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  9. Published

    Two new Lebistina Motschulsky, 1864 species from Kenya and Tanzania (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

    Assmann, T., Boutaud, E., Drees, C., Marcus, T., Nolte, D., Starke, W., Terlutter, H., Völler, E. & Zumstein, P., 21.02.2017, In: African Invertebrates. 58, 1, p. 9-21 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Verhandeln

    Trötschel, R., Höhne, B., Majer, J. M., Loschelder, D. D., Deller, J. & Frey, D., 20.02.2017, Kommunikation, Interaktion und soziale Gruppenprozesse. Bierhoff, H.-W. & Frey, D. (eds.). 1 ed. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag, p. 803-846 44 p. (Enzyklopädie der Psychologie; vol. 6, no. 3).

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

  11. Published

    Does sustainable intensification offer a pathway to improved food security for aquatic agricultural system-dependent communities?

    Attwood, S. J., Park, S., Loos, J., Philipps, M., Mills, D. & McDougall, C., 17.02.2017, Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture: An integrated systems research approach. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 71-87 17 p. (Earthscan food and agriculture series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  12. Published

    The Benefit of Web- and Computer-Based Interventions for Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    Heber, E., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Nobis, S. & Riper, H., 17.02.2017, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 19, 2, 17 p., e32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    The use of player physical and technical skill match activity profiles to predict position in the Australian Football League draft

    Woods, C. T., Veale, J. P., Collier, N. & Robertson, S., 16.02.2017, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 35, 4, p. 325-330 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    An integrative research framework for enabling transformative adaptation

    Colloff, M. J., Martín-López, B., Lavorel, S., Locatelli, B., Gorddard, R., Longaretti, P. Y., Walters, G., van Kerkhoff, L., Wyborn, C., Coreau, A., Wise, R. M., Dunlop, M., Degeorges, P., Grantham, H., Overton, I. C., Williams, R. D., Doherty, M. D., Capon, T., Sanderson, T. & Murphy, H. T., 01.02.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 68, p. 87-96 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Beta diversity of plant species in human-transformed landscapes: Control of community assembly by regional productivity and historical connectivity

    Conradi, T., Temperton, V. M. & Kollmann, J., 01.02.2017, In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 24, p. 1-10 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Crown and leaf traits as predictors of subtropical tree sapling growth rates

    Li, Y., Kröber, W., Bruehlheide, H., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 136-145 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Direct production of lactic acid based on simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of mixed restaurant food waste

    Pleissner, D., Demichelis, F., Mariano, S., Fiore, S., Navarro Gutiérrez, I. M., Schneider, R. & Venus, J., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 143, p. 615-623 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Foraging wireworms are attracted to root-produced volatile aldehydes

    Barsics, F., Delory, B. M., Delaplace, P., Francis, F., Fauconnier, M. L., Haubruge, É. & Verheggen, F. J., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Pest Science. 90, 1, p. 69-76 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Hazard screening of photo-transformation products from pharmaceuticals: Application to selective β1-blockers atenolol and metoprolol

    Toolaram, A. P., Menz, J., Rastogi, T., Leder, C., Kümmerer, K. & Schneider, M., 01.02.2017, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 579, p. 1769-1780 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Impact of tree diversity and environmental conditions on the survival of shrub species in a forest biodiversity experiment in subtropical China

    Yang, B., Li, Y., Ding, B.-Y., Both, S., Erfmeier, A., Härdtle, W., Ma, K., Schmid, B., Scholten, T., Seidler, G., von Oheimb, G., Yang, X. & Bruehlheide, H., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 179-189 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Interspecific and intraspecific variation in specific root length drives aboveground biodiversity effects in young experimental forest stands

    Bu, W., Schmid, B., Liu, X., Li, Y., Härdtle, W., Von Oheimb, G., Liang, Y., Sun, Z., Huang, Y., Bruelheide, H. & Ma, K., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 158-169 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Legacy effects of past land use on current biodiversity in a low-intensity farming landscape in Transylvania (Romania)

    Culbert, P. D., Dorresteijn, I., Loos, J., Clayton, M. K., Fischer, J. & Kuemmerle, T., 01.02.2017, In: Landscape Ecology. 32, 2, p. 429-444 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation

    Abson, D. J., Fischer, J., Leventon, J., Newig, J., Schomerus, T., Vilsmaier, U., von Wehrden, H., Abernethy, P., Ives, C. D., Jager, N. W. & Lang, D. J., 01.02.2017, In: Ambio. 46, 1, p. 30-39 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    On the combined effect of soil fertility and topography on tree growth in subtropical forest ecosystems - a study from SE China

    Scholten, T., Goebes, P., Kühn, P., Seitz, S., Aßmann, T., Bauhus, J., Bruelheide, H., Buscot, F., Erfmeier, A., Fischer, M., Härdtle, W., He, J.-S., Ma, K., Niklaus, P. A., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Schmid, B., Shi, X., Song, Z., von Oheimb, G., Wirth, C., Wubet, T. & Schmidt, K., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 111-127 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Salivary cues: simulated roe deer browsing induces systemic changes in phytohormones and defence chemistry in wild‐grown maple and beech saplings

    Ohse, B., Hammerbacher, A., Seele, C., Meldau, S., Reichelt, M., Ortmann, S. & Wirth, C., 01.02.2017, In: Functional Ecology. 31, 2, p. 340-349 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Sustainability and management control. Exploring and theorizing control patterns in large European firms

    Crutzen, N., Zvezdov, D. & Schaltegger, S., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 143, p. 1291-1301 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Trait-based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

    Hevia, V., Martín-López, B., Palomo, S., García-Llorente, M., de Bello, F. & González, J. A., 01.02.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 3, p. 831-844 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  28. Published

    Tree diversity increases levels of herbivore damage in a subtropical forest canopy: evidence for dietary mixing by arthropods?

    Brezzi, M., Schmid, B., Niklaus, P. A. & Schuldt, A., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 13-27 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Tree diversity promotes generalist herbivore community patterns in a young subtropical forest experiment

    Zhang, J., Bruelheide, H., Chen, X., Eichenberg, D., Kröber, W., Xu, X., Xu, L. & Schuldt, A., 01.02.2017, In: Oecologia. 183, 2, p. 455-467 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    “We cannot let this happen again”: reversing UK flood policy in response to the Somerset Levels floods, 2014

    Smith, A., Porter, J. J. & Upham, P., 01.02.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 60, 2, p. 351-369 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Die Natur des Ländlichen: zur Konzeption gesellschaftlicher Natur- und Geschlechterverhältnisse in ländlichen Räumen

    Mölders, T., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 119-138 20 p.

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

  32. Published

    Die paradoxen Hybride: ein graphisches Essay über die Praxis der Unterscheidung zwischen Natur und Gesellschaft

    Sulmowski, J. A., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 45-61 17 p.

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

  33. Published

    Die verschwiegenen politischen Momente in der Agro-Gentechnik-Debatte in Polen

    Sulmowski, J. A., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 171-192 22 p.

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

  34. Published

    Einführung in das Politikfeld Agro-Gentechnik: Zwischen Bürokratisierung, Ökonomisierung von Governance und Politisierung

    Friedrich, B., Gottschlich, D. & Sulmowski, J. A., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 147-152 6 p.

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

  35. Published

    Einführung in das Politikfeld Ländliche Entwicklung: zwischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit

    Mölders, T., Burandt, A. & Szumelda, A. U., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 65-69 5 p.

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

  36. Published

    Einleitung: Eine sozial-ökologische Forschungsperspektive

    Mölders, T. & Gottschlich, D., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 21-30 10 p. (Research).

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

  37. Published

    Fazit zum Politikfeld Agro-Gentechnik: Umkämpfte Naturgestaltung, umkämpfte Politikgestaltung

    Gottschlich, D., Sulmowski, J. A. & Friedrich, B., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 217-224 8 p.

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

  38. Published

    Fazit zum Politikfeld Ländliche Entwicklung: der Wandel ländlicher Räume als Wandel gesellschaftlicher Naturverhältnisse

    Mölders, T., Burandt, A. & Szumelda, A. U., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 139-144 6 p.

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

  39. Published

    Landwirtschaft und Lebenswirklichkeiten in kleinen landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben in Ost- und Südostpolen: Beispiele aus den Landkreisen Lubartów und Krosno

    Szumelda, A. U., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 93-118 26 p.

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

  40. Published

    Lokale und regionale Konflikte um Agro-Gentechnik

    Friedrich, B., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 153-170 18 p.

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

  41. Published

    Normative Orientierungen: Ein kritisch-emanzipatorisches Nachhaltigkeitsverständnis

    Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 31-43 13 p. (Research).

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

  42. Published

    Politiken der Naturgestaltung: Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision

    Gottschlich, D. (Editor) & Mölders, T. (Editor), 02.2017, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 324 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  43. Published

    Politiken der Naturgestaltung als Denk- und Handlungsräume für Anpassung, Kooperation, Widerstand und Alternativen

    Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung: Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 227-242 15 p.

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

  44. Published

    PoNa als inter- und transdisziplinäres Experiment in der Sozial-ökologischen Forschung

    Bergmann, M., Gottschlich, D., Mölders, T. & Schramm, E., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 243-263 21 p.

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

  45. Published

    Querschnittsstudie Erfolgsfaktoren für mitteltiefe Aquiferwärmespeicher in Norddeutschland

    Holstenkamp, L., Lauer, J. J., Neidig, P., Opel, O., Steffahn, J., Strodel, N., Vogel, M., Degenhart, H., Michalzik, D., Schomerus, C.-T., Schönebeck, J. & Növig, T., 02.2017, In: Geothermische Energie. 26, 86, p. 26-27 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  46. Published

    Tree diversity and nectar composition affect arthropod visitors on extrafloral nectaries in a diversity experiment

    Staab, M., Methorst, J., Peters, J., Blöthgen, N. & Klein, A. M., 02.2017, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 10, 1, p. 201-212 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Von Liebhaberei und wirtschaftlichem Nutzen: Wie in der Flusslandschaft Elbe Agrobiodiversität erhalten wird

    Burandt, A., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung: Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 71-92 22 p.

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

  48. Published

    Developing sustainable business experimentation capability – A case study

    Weissbrod, I. & Bocken, N. M. P., 20.01.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 142, 4, p. 2663-2676 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Investigations for the detection of genotoxic substances on TLC plates

    Egetenmeyer, N. & Weiss, S. C., 20.01.2017, In: Journal of Liquid Chromatography and Related Technologies. 40, 2, p. 69-74 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Knowledge acquisition and development in sustainability-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises: Exploring the practices, capabilities and cooperation

    Johnson, M., 20.01.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 142, 4, p. 3769-3781 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Utilization of food waste in continuous flow cultures of the heterotrophic microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa for saturated and unsaturated fatty acids production

    Pleissner, D., Lau, K. Y. & Ki Lin, C. S., 20.01.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 142, 4, p. 1417-1424 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review