School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- Published
Accelerating the industrial transition with safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD)
Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., Tickner, J. A., Dierckx, A., Kümmerer, K., Apel, C. & Strömberg, E., 17.02.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 5, p. 2185-2191 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Green Extraction and NMR Analysis of Bioactives from Orange Juice Waste
Penteado, P. S., Leal, M. C. B. D. M., Carosio, M. G. A., dos Santos, A., Segatto, M. L., Pavarini, D. P., da Silva, D. F., Amaral, J. C., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F., Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Ferreira, A. G., 14.02.2025, In: Foods. 14, 4, 14 p., 642.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Datenschutz als Werkzeug zur Antidiskriminierung
Bartmann, E. & Godau, L.-T., 06.02.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.Research output: other publications › Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Research › peer-review
- Published
Eco-pharma dilemma: Navigating environmental sustainability trade-offs within the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals – A comment
Moermond, C. T. A., Puhlmann, N., Pieters, L., Matharu, A., Boone, L., Dobbelaere, M., Proquin, H., Kümmerer, K., Ragas, A. M. J., Vidaurre, R., Venhuis, B. & De Smedt, D., 01.02.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 43, 10 p., 101893.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Framing resilience: Post-disaster communication in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Buelow, F., Brower, A. & Cradock-Henry, N., 01.02.2025, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 117, 13 p., 105167.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Political embedding of climate assemblies. How effective strategies for policy impact depend on context
Pfeffer, J. & Newig, J., 01.02.2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 164, 11 p., 103993.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Dichotomy or continuum? A global review of the interaction between autonomous and planned adaptations
Maskell, G., Shukla, R., Jagannathan, K., Browne, K., Ulibarri, N., Campbell, D., Franz, C. P., Grady, C., Joe, E. T., Kirchhoff, C. J., Madhavan, M., Michaud, L., Sharma, S., Singh, C., Orlove, B., Alverio, G. N., Ajibade, I., Bowen, K. J., Chauhan, N., Galappaththi, E. K., Hudson, A. J., Mach, K. J., Musah-Surugu, J. I., Petzold, J., Reckien, D., Schauberger, B., Segnon, A. C., van Bavel, B. & Gornott, C., 02.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 39 p., 18.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ecosystem service supply and (in)equality archetypes
Benra, F., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Fischer, J., 02.2025, In: Ecosystem Services. 71, 11 p., 101683.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities
Author Collaboration of "Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities", Hähn, G. J. A., Damasceno, G., Alvarez-Davila, E., Aubin, I., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E. & Haider, S., 02.2025, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 9, 2, p. 237-248 12 p., e12976.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Mental contrasting and conflict management in satisfied and unsatisfied romantic relationships
Jöhnk, H., Sevincer, A. T. & Oettingen, G., 02.2025, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 42, 2, p. 367-391 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Transformation towards the sustainable management of peatlands: A characterisation of farmers in the Teufelsmoor, Germany
Hünnebeck-Wells, A., Loos, J., Abel, S. & Nordt, A., 02.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 2, p. 346-359 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Cybermobbing, Hatespeech, Sexting und Cybergrooming. Online-Interaktionsrisiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen aus psychologischer Sicht
Paschel, F., Schultz, M., Salisch, M. & Pfetsch, J., 16.01.2025, Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 212 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
Fruit Detection and Yield Mass Estimation from a UAV Based RGB Dense Cloud for an Apple Orchard
Hobart, M., Pflanz, M., Tsoulias, N., Weltzien, C., Kopetzky, M. & Schirrmann, M., 16.01.2025, In: Drones. 9, 1, 19 p., 60.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Inventing a secure future: material stewardship as chemistry's mission for sustainability
Matlin, S. A., Cornell, S. E., Kümmerer, K., Mahaffy, P. G. & Mehta, G., 14.01.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 2, p. 804-821 18 p., d4su00576g.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Navigating Through the Fog of Negotiation: An Investigation of How Negotiators Use Reference Points
Mann, M., 01.01.2025, Springer Science + Business Media. 150 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
The Concept Benign by Design
Puhlmann, N. & Kümmerer, K., 01.01.2025, Encyclopedia of Green Chemistry, First Edition: Volume 1. Török, B. (ed.). First Edition ed. Oxford: Elsevier, Vol. 1. p. 17-29 13 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
The use of functional traits in assessing productivity in natural ecosystems
Bordin, K. M., Morales, D. D. C., Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Freitag Kramer, J. M., Müller, S. C., Thomas, P. A. & Rosenfield, M. F., 01.01.2025, Plant Functional Traits: Linking Climate and Ecosystem Functioning. Kumar, M., Bussmann, R. W. & Swenson, N. G. (eds.). Amsterdam: Elsevier Amsterdam, p. 111-133 23 p. (Plant Biology, Sustainability and Climate Change Series).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Toward Sustainable Water Governance? Taking Stock of Paradigms, Practices, and Sustainability Outcomes
Bilalova, S., Newig, J. & Villamayor-Tomas, S., 01.01.2025, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water. 12, 1, 12 p., e1762.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
A cultural comparison of children’s emotion knowledge: Data from two cultures
Schapira, R., von Salisch, M. & Voltmer, K., 01.2025, In: International Journal of Behavioral Development. 49, 1, p. 38-48 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Development of environmentally biodegradable drugs: what are the key challenges?
Bertram, M. G., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Jörg, M., 01.2025, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery. 20, 1, p. 1-4 4 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Die unionsrechtliche Regulierung von Hafenauffangeinrichtungen für Schiffsabfälle durch die PRF-Richtlinie
Schatz, V. & Wanner, L., 01.2025, In: Natur und Recht. 47, 1, p. 13-19 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Interplays between relational and instrumental values: insights from research experiences on human–nature relations
Riechers, M., Pearson, J., Diaz-Cruz, N., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S. & Topp, E., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 287-298 12 p., 104232.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Orientation-driven photosynthesized carbon belowground mediates intercropped peanut microbiota changes for pathogen resistance
Lu, J., Shen, Y., He, G., Li, S., Kumar, A., Sun, B. & Chen, Y., 01.2025, In: Plant and Soil. 506, 1, p. 209-226 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Revisiting the sustainability science research agenda
Sahle, M., Lahoti, S. A., Lee, S. Y., Brundiers, K., van Riper, C. J., Pohl, C., Chien, H., Bohnet, I. C., Aguilar-Rivera, N., Edwards, P., Pradhan, P., Plieninger, T., Boonstra, W. J., Flor, A. G., Di Fabio, A., Scheidel, A., Gordon, C., Abson, D. J., Andersson, E., Demaria, F., Kenter, J. O., Brooks, J., Kauffman, J., Hamann, M., Graziano, M., Nagabhatla, N., Mimura, N., Fagerholm, N., O’Farrell, P., Saito, O. & Takeuchi, K., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 1-19 19 p., e0261190.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Water-related problématiques: five archetypical contexts of water governance
Bilalova, S., Villamayor-Tomas, S. & Newig, J., 01.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 40 p., 10.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Alles nur ein Kampf? Schüler:innenvorstellungen zu Aspekten der Immunreaktion
Sowinski, R., Hofer, E. & Abels, S., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für Didaktik der Biologie (ZDB) - Biologie Lehren und Lernen. 30, 1, p. 25-48 24 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
A metacoupling lens on the co-production of nature’s contributions to people: Insights for sustainability
Mayer, A., Martín-López, B., Locatelli, B., Rabeschini, G., Liu, J., Loos, J., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Riechers, M. & Isaac, R., 2025, Ecological Horizons: From Nature to People. Dumbrell, A. J. (ed.). Academic Press Inc., p. 91-115 27 p. (Advances in Ecological Research; vol. 72, no. 1).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Application of analytical ultracentrifugation in gravitational sweep mode coupled with turbidity detection for analyzing polydisperse emulsions of aged biodiesel and alkanes
Türck, J., Schilling, K., Walter, J., Schmitt, F., Lichtinger, A., Türck, R., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 2025, In: RSC Advances. 15, 56, p. 47840-47849 10 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Attitude Without Action-What Really Hinders Ethical Consumption
Berberyan, Z., Jastram, S. M., Heuer, M., Schnittka, O. & Rosenkranz, J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Business Ethics.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Barriers and Enablers of Interdisciplinary Climate Education: Insights From Secondary Teachers
Castellazzi, E., Hakkarainen, V., Saari, M. & Raymond, C. M., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Australian Journal of Environmental Education.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Beyond Propensity: Thresholds, Costs, and Interventions in Negotiation Avoidance
Hunsaker, D. A., Zhang, H. & Lee, A. J., 2025, In: Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 18, 4, p. 37-56 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Blueprint of a smokescreen: Introducing the validated climate disinformation corpus for behavioural research on combating climate disinformation
Spampatti, T., Brosch, T., Mumenthaler, C. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Psychology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Conceptualizing transformative climate action: insights from sufficiency research
Richard, B., Nathan, B., Andreas, N. & Ernest, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Climate Policy. 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Critical Global Citizenship in Practice: Insights from adapting the Ethical Global Issues Pedagogy for German primary teachers
Grauer, C. & Walenziak, A., 2025Research output: other publications › Articles in scientific forums or blogs › Transfer
- Published
Demokratiebildung als Querschnittsaufgabe beruflicher Bildung
Hantke, H., Heitzhausen, S., Kaiser, F., Tafner, G., Wittau, F. & Zurstrassen, B., 2025, Jahrbuch der berufs- und wirtschaftspädagogische Forschung 2024. Kögler, K., Kremer, H.-H. & Herkner, V. (eds.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Designing at-source and end-of-pipe biotechnologies to tackle pharmaceutical pollution
Akhrimenko, V., Kümmerer, K., Malato, S., Lertxundi, U. & Orive, G., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Trends in Biotechnology. 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Accepted/In press
Digitale Gesundheitskompetenz an Schulen. Entwicklung eines Selbstbewertungsinstruments zur Erfassung organisationaler Bedingungen
Hartmann, A., Fischer, L., Rangnow, P., Stauch, L., Renninger, D., Okan, O. & Dadaczynski, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Pravention und Gesundheitsforderung.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Education for Sustainable Consumption
Schrader, U. & Fischer, D., 2025, Vocabulary for Sustainable Consumption and Lifestyles: A Language for Our Common Future. Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 257-260 4 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Empowering Change: A Self-Control Perspective on How Choice Architecture Interventions Can Promote Sustainable Behavior Change
Engel, L., Kukowski, C. A. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Motivation Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Enhancing public participation through social learning and local identity: the case of climate adaptation in small and medium sized municipalities
Reifenstahl, T., Augenstein, K. & Möller, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Gamification Design Patterns to Address Values-Based and Sustainability-Oriented Innovation Challenges
Breuer, H. & Ivanov, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Creativity and Innovation Management. 23 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ground beetle fauna of flower strips and forest edges in northern German lowlands’ conventional agricultural landscapes (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
Grabener, S., Boutaud, E., Drees, C., Gürlich, S., Härdtle, W., Husemann, L., Kubiak, M., Laschke, C. J., Remmers, S., Zumstein, P. & Assmann, T., 2025, In: Biodiversity Data Journal. 13, 22 p., e161282.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Grünland kann was! Und was können wir für Grünland tun? Erkenntnisse aus dem inter-und transdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt Grassworks
Meyer, V. M., Kirmer, A., Temperton, V. M., Twerski, A., Schmidt, A., Patru-Duse, I. A., Laschke, C. J., Gray, K., Sturm, L., Unseld, L., Kuhn, L., Neudert, R., Tischew, S., Beckmann, V. & Kollmann, J., 2025, In: Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung. 57, 11, p. 12-19 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Herausforderungen der Nachhaltigkeitstransformation mit Methoden der Gamification begegnen – Mobile Escape Rooms als Resonanzräume spielerisch-transformativen Lernens
Hantke, H., 2025, Innovative Ansätze für die Nachhaltigkeitslehre in der Hochschulbildung. Leal, W. (ed.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Published
How Do Negotiators Resolve Conflict Over Resources of Changing Value: The Role of Trust in Sequential Negotiations
Heydenbluth, C., Aaldering, H., Zhang, H., Majer, J. & Trötschel, R., 2025, In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Implementation of Vocational Education and Training for Sustainable Development Through Cooperation Between Research and Practice
Hantsch, R. & Hantke, H., 2025, Education for Sustainable Development: The Contribution of Universities. Leal Filho, W., Trevisan, L. V., Pace, P. J. & Mifsud, M. (eds.). Cham: Springer Nature, p. 161-175 15 p. (World Sustainability Series; vol. Part F819).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Impuls – Wandel kritisch-konstruktiv gestalten lernen: Das neue Modul „Transformation“ im Leuphana Semester
Picht-Wiggering, L., Bürgener, L., Fischer, D. & Nigro, R., 2025, Interdisziplinäre Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (I-BNE): Beiträge zur zweiten Fachkonferenz 2024 an der Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. Humburg, D., Dernbach, B. & Klages, M. (eds.). p. 5-14 10 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Education
- Published
Inner Development Goals zur Erreichung der Sustainable Development Goals – Ein Self-Assessment als Reflexionsanlass zum Einsatz in transformativen Lernprozessen
Hantke, H. & Lorch, A., 2025, Klimawandel und Bildung – Interdisziplinäre Grundlagen und didaktische Impulse. Pijetlovic, D. & von Au, J. (eds.). MünchenResearch output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Published
Inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschungsprojekte als Ansatz für eine transformative Hochschulbildung
Bürgener, L. & Meyer, S., 2025, Interdisziplinarität in Forschung und Lehre gestalten: Bedingungen, Teamarbeit, Räume, Methoden. Braßler, M., Lerch, S. & Brandstädter, S. (eds.). p. 193 208 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Submitted
Inter- und Transdisziplinarität
Weiser, A., Bürgener, L., Steinbrügge, F. & Lang, D. J., 2025, (Submitted) Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
