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. 2024
  2. Published

    The effect of neighbor species' phylogenetic and trait difference on tree growth in subtropical forests

    Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Bordin, K. M., Picolotto, R. C., Müller, S. C. & de Bello, F., 01.07.2024, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 35, 4, 11 p., e13296.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    A systematic review of peer-reviewed gender literature in sustainability science

    Frank, E., Mühlhaus, R., Mustelin, K. M., Trilken, E. L., Kreuz, N. K., Bowes, L. C., Backer, L. M. & von Wehrden, H., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1459-1480 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Die Institutionalisierung von Klimaräten durch Klimaschutzgesetzgebung

    Schatz, V., Newig, J. & Pfeffer, J., 07.2024, In: Natur und Recht. 46, 7, p. 433-442 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Embodying relationality through immersive sustainability solutions with Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon

    Polheim, A., Manuel-Navarrete, D., Goebel, J. & Loos, J., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1445-1457 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Evidence for regional-scale declines in carabid beetles in old lowland beech forests following a period of severe drought

    Weiss, F., Winter, S., Pflugmacher, D., Kolling, T. & Linde, A., 07.2024, In: Landscape Ecology. 39, 7, 19 p., 123.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Intrinsic, instrumental and relational values behind nature’s contributions to people preferences of nature visitors in Germany

    Kachler, J., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Isaac, R., Bonn, A. & Martín-López, B., 07.2024, In: Ecosystems and People. 20, 1, 17 p., 2342361.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Priority effects transcend scales and disciplines in biology

    Stroud, J. T., Delory, B. M., Barnes, E. M., Chase, J. M., De Meester, L., Dieskau, J., Grainger, T. N., Halliday, F. W., Kardol, P., Knight, T. M., Ladouceur, E., Little, C. J., Roscher, C., Sarneel, J. M., Temperton, V., van Steijn, T. L. H., Werner, C. M., Wood, C. W. & Fukami, T., 07.2024, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 39, 7, p. 677-688 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  9. Published

    Revisiting Renewable Energies: Liberating, Pacifying, and Democratizing

    Schaltegger, S., Linnenluecke, M. K., Dijkstra-Silva, S. & Christ, K. L., 07.2024, In: Business and Society. 63, 6, p. 1295-1301 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  10. Published

    Roadside disturbance promotes plant communities with arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in mountain regions worldwide

    Clavel, J., Lembrechts, J. J., Lenoir, J., Haider, S., McDougall, K., Nuñez, M. A., Alexander, J., Barros, A., Milbau, A., Seipel, T., Pauchard, A., Fuentes-Lillo, E., Ratier Backes, A., Dar, P., Reshi, Z. A., Aleksanyan, A., Zong, S., Arevalo Sierra, J. R., Aschero, V., Verbruggen, E. & Nijs, I., 07.2024, In: Ecography. 2024, 7, 14 p., e07051.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    The Interplay Between Supply Chain Transparency and NGO Pressure: A Quantitative Analysis in the Fashion Industry Context

    Schäfer, N., Petersen, L. & Hörisch, J., 07.2024, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 192, 4, p. 713-727 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Transformative pedagogy for sustainable entrepreneurship and technology innovation: The case of EIT climate KIC training

    Klapper, R. G., Upham, P. J. & Oberstrass, T., 07.2024, In: The International Journal of Management Education. 22, 2, 14 p., 100971.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Transformative research for sustainability: characteristics, tensions, and moving forward

    Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Dorresteijn, I., Leventon, J., Stojanovic, M., Lam, D. P. M., Lang, D. J., Moriggi, A., Raymond, C. M., Stålhammar, S., Weiser, A. & Zimmermann, S., 07.2024, In: Global Sustainability. 7, 16 p., e14.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  14. Published

    Who benefits from indirect prevention and treatment of depression using an online intervention for insomnia? Results from an individual-participant data meta-analysis

    Thielecke, J., Kuper, P., Lehr, D., Schuurmans, L., Harrer, M., Ebert, D. D., Cuijpers, P., Behrendt, D., Brückner, H. A., Horvath, H., Riper, H. & Buntrock, C., 07.2024, In: Psychological Medicine. 54, 10, p. 2389-2402 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Is it just conservation? A typology of Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ roles in conserving biodiversity

    Dawson, N. M., Coolsaet, B., Bhardwaj, A., Booker, F., Brown, D., Lliso, B., Loos, J., Martin, A., Oliva, M., Pascual, U., Sherpa, P. & Worsdell, T., 21.06.2024, In: One Earth. 7, 6, p. 1007-1021 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Biodiversität, Ökosystemfunktionen und Naturschutz

    Härdtle, W., 19.06.2024, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 911 p. (Life Science and Basic Disciplines)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  17. Published

    Thermo-oxidative aging of linear and branched alcohols as stability criterion for their use as e-fuels

    Lichtinger, A., Poller, M. J., Schröder, O., Türck, J., Garbe, T., Krahl, J., Jakob, M. & Albert, J., 19.06.2024, In: Sustainable Energy and Fuels. 8, 15, p. 3329-3340 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published
  19. Published

    Digitalization paving the ways for sustainable chemistry: switching on more green lights

    Zuin Zeidler, V., 14.06.2024, In: Science (New York, N.Y.). 384, 6701, adq3537.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  20. Published
  21. Published

    Adressierung von Mädchen an außerschulischen naturwissenschaftlichen Lernorten

    Groß, J. & Abels, S., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik - Jahrestagung in Hamburg 2023. van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 678 - 681 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearch

  22. Published

    Entwicklung eines virtuellen Lernraums zum digitalen Kompetenzerwerb

    Abels, S., Sowinski, R., Hofer, E., Rodenhauser, A. & Stinken-Rösner, L., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung 2023 . van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 938 - 941 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  23. Published

    Herausforderungen in der Planungsphase offenen Forschenden Lernens

    Fietkau, A., Hofer, E. & Abels, S., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung 2023 . van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 718 - 721 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  24. Published

    Metaphern mehrsprachiger Schüler*innen zu abstrakten Phänomenen

    Sowinski, R. & Abels, S., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung 2023 . van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 306 - 309 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  25. Published

    Perspektiven der Lernenden auf inklusiven NAWI-Unterricht

    Fuhrmann, T. & Abels, S., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung 2023 . van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 710 - 713 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  26. Published

    Schülerlabore als Ort der Lehrkräftefortbildung in der digitalen Welt

    Brusdeilins, M., Abels, S., Blumberg, E., Brückmann, M., Kiel, C., Meyer, D., Schwedler, S., Stinken-Rösner, L., Wenzel, A. & Ziegler, M., 10.06.2024, Frühe naturwissenschaftliche Bildung : Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, Jahrestagung 2023. van Vorst, H. (ed.). Essen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik, p. 902 - 905 4 p. (Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; no. 50)(Tagungsband; vol. 44).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  27. Published

    Atempause: Achtsamkeit in der Grundschule üben

    Salisch, M. (Editor), Hondrich, F. (Editor) & Voltmer, K. (Editor), 01.06.2024, Münster: Waxmann Verlag. 208 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  28. Published

    Bridging senses of place and mobilities scholarships to inform social-ecological systems governance: A research agenda

    Gottwald, S., Kołodyńska, I., Buchecker, M., Di Masso, A., Fagerholm, N., Frąckowiak, M., Hakkarainen, V., Kajdanek, K., Lau, U., Manzo, L. C., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Pearson, J., Quinn, T., Rogowski, Ł., Stedman, R., Stewart, W. P., Trąbka, A., Williams, D. R., von Wirth, T., Zawieska, J. & Raymond, C. M., 01.06.2024, In: Applied Geography. 167, 13 p., 103286.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Drawing blanks and winning: Quantifying global catastrophic risk associated with human ingenuity

    Engler, J. O. & Fischer, J. N., 01.06.2024, In: Sustainable Futures. 7, 9 p., 100165.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Exploring cultural landscape narratives to understand challenges for collaboration and their implications for governance

    Schaal-Lagodzinski, T., König, B., Riechers, M., Heitepriem, N. & Leventon, J., 01.06.2024, In: Ecosystems and People. 20, 1, 16 p., 2320886.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    First automatic size measurements for the separation of dwarf birch and tree birch pollen in MIS 6 to MIS 1 records from Northern Germany

    Theuerkauf, M., Nehring, E., Gillert, A., Bodien, P. M., Hein, M. & Urban, B., 01.06.2024, In: Ecology and Evolution. 14, 6, 17 p., e11510.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Five priorities to advance transformative transdisciplinary research

    Augenstein, K., Lam, D. P., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Bernert, P., Charli-Joseph, L., Cockburn, J., Kampfmann, T., Pereira, L. M. & Sellberg, M. M., 01.06.2024, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 68, 11 p., 101438.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Investigation of the carbon footprint of the cultivation of the heterotrophic microalga Galdieria sulphuraria on hydrolyzed straw and digestate

    Heidorn, J. R., Smetana, S. & Pleißner, D., 01.06.2024, In: Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment. 6, 7 p., 100087.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Legal and political arguments on aquatic ecosystem services and hydropower development – A case study on Kemi River basin, Finland

    Albrecht, E., Isaac, R. & Räsänen, A., 01.06.2024, In: Ecosystem Services. 67, 14 p., 101623.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Mixed farmers' perception of the ecological-economic performance of diversified farming

    Rosa-Schleich, J., Loos, J., Ferrante, M., Mußhoff, O. & Tscharntke, T., 01.06.2024, In: Ecological Economics. 220, 11 p., 108174.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Quantifying ecosystem services of rewetted peatlands − the MoorFutures methodologies

    Tanneberger, F., Berghöfer, A., Brust, K., Hammerich, J., Holsten, B., Joosten, H., Michaelis, D., Moritz, F., Reichelt, F., Schäfer, A., Scheid, A., Trepel, M., Wahren, A. & Couwenberg, J., 01.06.2024, In: Ecological Indicators. 163, 10 p., 112048.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    A framework for assessing social structure in community governance of sustainable urban drainage systems: insights from a literature review

    Muwafu, S. P., Rölfer, L., Scheffran, J. & Costa, M. M., 06.2024, In: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 29, 5, 19 p., 42.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Forest history from a single tree species perspective: natural occurrence, near extinction and reintroduction of European yew (Taxus baccata L.) on the Darss-Zingst peninsula, southern Baltic Sea coast

    Kaiser, K., Theuerkauf, M., van der Maaten, E., van der Maaten-Theunissen, M. & Beil, A., 06.2024, In: European Journal of Forest Research. 143, 3, p. 917-942 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Setting the agenda for climate assemblies. Trade-offs and guiding principles

    Pfeffer, J., 06.2024, In: Climate Policy. 24, 6, p. 843-858 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. E-pub ahead of print

    A theoretical framework to support green agripreneurship avoiding greenwashing

    Mendes, J. A. J., Oliveira, A. Y., Santos, L. S., Gerolamo, M. C. & Zeidler, V. G. Z., 23.05.2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. 57 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Modelling biodegradability based on OECD 301D data for the design of mineralising ionic liquids

    Amsel, A. K., Chakravarti, S., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 22.05.2024, In: Green Chemistry . 26, 12, p. 7363-7376 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published
  43. Published

    Public understanding of climate change terminology in Germany

    Wege, L., de Bruin, W. B. & Kause, A., 15.05.2024, In: Climatic Change. 177, 5, 27 p., 81.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  44. Published

    Longitudinal prediction of primary school children's COVID-related future anxiety in the second year of the pandemic in Germany

    Voltmer, K. & von Salisch, M., 08.05.2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 5, 16 p., e0302065.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Airbnb and rental markets: Evidence from Berlin

    Duso, T., Michelsen, C., Schaefer, M. & Tran, K. D., 01.05.2024, In: Regional Science and Urban Economics. 106, 31 p., 104007.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Exploring the interdependence of climate, finance, energy, and geopolitics: A conceptual framework for systemic risks amidst multiple crises

    Hoffart, F. M., D'Orazio, P., Holz, F. & Kemfert, C., 01.05.2024, In: Applied Energy. 361, 11 p., 122885.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Grüne Transformation in Deutschland-nur mit echter Energiewende ein ökologischer und ökonomischer Erfolg

    Gornig, M. & Kemfert, C., 01.05.2024, In: Wirtschaftsdienst. 104, 5, p. 296-300 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Impact of green and blue-green light on the growth, pigment concentration, and fatty acid unsaturation in the microalga Monoraphidium braunii

    Helamieh, M., Reich, M., Rohne, P., Riebesell, U., Kerner, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.05.2024, In: Photochemistry and Photobiology. 100, 3, p. 587-595 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published
  51. Published