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

    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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Datenschutz als Werkzeug zur Antidiskriminierung

    Bartmann, E. & Godau, L.-T., 06.02.2025, Junge Wissenschaft im Öffentlichen Recht e.V.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearchpeer-review

  5. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. 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 anthologiesBook

  14. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. 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 anthologiesBook

  17. 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/worksChapterpeer-review

  18. 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/worksChapterpeer-review

  19. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  20. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. 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 contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  22. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. 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 contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  26. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. 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/worksChapterpeer-review

  29. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    Critical Global Citizenship in Practice: Insights from adapting the Ethical Global Issues Pedagogy for German primary teachers

    Grauer, C. & Walenziak, A., 2025

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsTransfer

  36. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  37. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  38. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. 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/worksChapterpeer-review

  40. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducationpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  48. 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/worksArticle in conference proceedingsEducation

  49. 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.). München

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

  50. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducationpeer-review

  51. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review