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. 2025
  2. Published

    Germination changes can restructure communities through priority effects

    Temperton, V. M., 05.2025, In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 40, 5, p. 426-427 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  3. Published

    Heterogeneity of demands for nature’s contributions to people and nature’s values by farmers: insights from the Kilimanjaro social-ecological system

    Sanya, J., Gross, M., Mwampamba, T. H., Pearson, J., Sesabo, J. K., Riechers, M., Kinabo, N. R., Krail, V. & Martín-López, B., 05.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 2, 49 p., 25.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Intellectual humility links to metacognitive ability

    Fischer, H., Kause, A. & Huff, M., 05.2025, In: Personality and Individual Differences. 238, 7 p., 113028.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. E-pub ahead of print

    Structure and dynamics of secondary and mature rainforests: insights from South Asian long-term monitoring plots

    Murali, A., Kasinathan, S., Bhat, K., Ratnam, J., Sankaran, M., Mudappa, D., Raman, T. R. S. & Osuri, A. M., 30.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Plant Ecology and Diversity.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    How, when and why do negotiators use reference points? A qualitative interview study with negotiation practitioners

    Mann, M., Trötschel, R., Warsitzka, M. & Hüffmeier, J., 28.04.2025, In: International Journal of Conflict Management. 36, 3, p. 481-513 33 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. E-pub ahead of print

    The forest beyond the trees: A network perspective on governing co-production of nature’s contributions to people

    Isaac, R., Cumming, G. S., Felipe-Lucia, M. R. & Martín-López, B., 26.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Ambio. 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Feasibility of online group stress management training compared to web-based individual training for employees—a randomized pilot study

    Boß, L., Hannibal, S. & Lehr, D., 24.04.2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 12 p., 1524285.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. E-pub ahead of print

    The Impact of Sample Size on Reliability Metrics Stability in Isokinetic Strength Assessments: Does Size Matter?

    Warneke, K., Keiner, M., Wallot, S., Siegel, S. D., Günther, C., Wirth, K. & Puschkasch-Möck, S., 23.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. E-pub ahead of print

    Nonsterile Lactic Acid Production from Pulse Husks

    Krenz, L. M. M. & Pleissner, D., 22.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Waste and Biomass Valorization. 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. E-pub ahead of print

    Exploring biocultural diversity: A systematic analysis and refined classification to inform decisions on conservation and sustainability

    Otamendi-Urroz, I., Quintas-Soriano, C., Hanspach, J., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Lagies, A. S. & Castro, A. J., 10.2025, In: Ambio. 54, 10, p. 1581-1597 17 p., e517.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. E-pub ahead of print

    Management Responses to Climate Change: An Analysis of Scholarly Recommendations

    Imbrogiano, J. P., Schaltegger, S. & Boiral, O., 16.04.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Sustainable Development. 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  13. Published

    Assessing the Cultural Fit of a Digital Sleep Intervention for Refugees in Germany: Qualitative Study

    Blomenkamp, M., Kiesel, A., Baumeister, H., Lehr, D., Unterrainer, J., Sander, L. B. & Spanhel, K., 03.04.2025, In: JMIR Formative Research. 9, 15 p., e65412.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Biosphere Reserves as catalysts for sustainability transformations: five strategies to support place-based innovation

    Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 73, 6 p., 101508.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Diversity on a small scale: phylogeography of the locally endemic dwarf succulent genus Oophytum (Aizoaceae) in the Knersvlakte of South Africa

    Schmidt, S. A., Schmiedel, U., Carstens, F., Rau, A.-L. & Rudolph-Bartsch, B., 01.04.2025, In: Annals of Botany. 135, 4, p. 735-756 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Green chemistry and sustainable chemistry related to water challenges: Solutions and prospects in a changing climate

    Mahjoub, B., Fersi, C., Bouteffeha, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 52, 11 p., 101000.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published
  18. Published

    Characterising landscape homogenisation: a qualitative approach based on five case studies

    Cortés-Capano, G., Shumi, G., Raatikainen, K. J., Mahdavi-Nezhad, Z. & Loos, J., 04.2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 13 p., 2485282.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Exploring Management Control Systems for Biodiversity: Insights from Three Food Companies

    Hübel, C. & Wenzig, J., 04.2025, In: Social and Environmental Accountability Journal. 45, 1, p. 42-72 31 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Gene flow across large distances in the cavity-nesting wasp Deuteragenia subintermedia in a central European forest

    Ruppert, L. S., Staab, M., Rappa, N. J., Frey, J. & Segelbacher, G., 04.2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 4, 11 p., e71294.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Horizontal portability: A proposal for representing place-based relational values in research and policy

    Himes, A., Muraca, B., Allen, K., Chapman, M., Coelho-Junior, M. G., Cundill, G., Gould, R. K., Herrmann, T. M., Kenter, J. O., Nakachi, A. A., Nemogá, G. R., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Pearson, J., Rono, B., Saito, T., Tadaki, M. & Bonn, A., 04.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 4, p. 752-764 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch