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. 2016
  2. Published

    Combustion at the late Early Pleistocene site of Cueva Negra del Estrecho del Río Quípar (Murcia, Spain)

    Walker, M. J., Anesin, D., Angelucci, D. E., Avilés-Fernández, A., Berna, F., Buitrago-López, A. T., Fernández-Jalvo, Y., Haber-Uriarte, M., López-Jiménez, A., López-Martínez, M., Martín-Lerma, I., Ortega-Rodrigáñez, J., Polo-Camacho, J. L., Rhodes, S. E., Richter, D., Rodríguez-Estrella, T., Schwenninger, J. L. & Skinner, A. R., 01.06.2016, In: Antiquity. 90, 351, p. 571-589 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Diversity and specificity of host-natural enemy interactions in an urban-rural interface

    Pereira-Peixoto, M. H., Pufal, G., Staab, M., Feitosa Martins, C. & Klein, A. M., 01.06.2016, In: Ecological Entomology. 41, 3, p. 241-252 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Exploring the Capacity of Water Framework Directive Indices to Assess Ecosystem Services in Fluvial and Riparian Systems: Towards a Second Implementation Phase

    Vidal-Abarca, M. R., Santos-Martín, F., Martín-López, B., Sánchez-Montoya, M. M. & Suárez Alonso, M. L., 01.06.2016, In: Environmental Management. 57, 6, p. 1139-1152 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    IEA SHC Task 42 / ECES Annex 29 WG A1: Engineering and Processing of PCMs, TCMs and Sorption Materials

    Ristić, A., Furbo, S., Moser, C., Schranzhofer, H., Lazaro, A., Delgado, M., Peñalosa, C., Zalewski, L., Diarce, G., Alkan, C., Gunasekara, S. N., Haussmann, T., Gschwander, S., Rathgeber, C., Schmit, H., Barreneche, C., Cabeza, L., Ferrer, G., Konuklu, Y., Paksoy, H., Rammelberg, H., Munz, G., Herzog, T., Jänchen, J. & Barrio, E. P. D., 01.06.2016, In: Energy Procedia. 91, p. 207-217 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Reaction of Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride and their Mixed Salts with Ethanol for Thermal Energy Storage

    Korhammer, K., Apel, C., Osterland, T. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.06.2016, In: Energy Procedia. 91, p. 161-171 11 p., 125043.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Response of saproxylic beetles to small-scale habitat connectivity depends on trophic levels

    Buse, J., Entling, M. H., Ranius, T. & Assmann, T., 01.06.2016, In: Landscape Ecology. 31, 5, p. 939-949 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Rule-based analysis of throughfall kinetic energy to evaluate biotic and abiotic factor thresholds to mitigate erosive power

    Goebes, P., Schmidt, K., Härdtle, W., Seitz, S., Stumpf, F., von Oheimb, G. & Scholten, T., 01.06.2016, In: Progress in Physical Geography. 40, 3, p. 431-449 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Taming a Wicked Problem: Resolving Controversies in Biodiversity Offsetting

    Maron, M., Ives, C. D., Kujala, H., Bull, J. W., Maseyk, F. J. F., Bekessy, S., Gordon, A., Watson, J. E. M., Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Possingham, H. P., Hobbs, R. J., Keith, D. A., Wintle, B. A. & Evans, M. C., 01.06.2016, In: BioScience. 66, 6, p. 489-498 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Environmental fate and effect assessment of thioridazine and its transformation products formed by photodegradation

    Wilde, M. L., Menz, J., Trautwein, C., Leder, C. & Kümmerer, K., 06.2016, In: Environmental Pollution. 213, p. 658-670 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Freiheit als Wert? Neue Beobachtungen zu einer alten Debatte

    Oermann, N. O., 06.2016, In: Orientierungen zur Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftspolitik. 143, p. 18-25 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  12. Published

    Renewable Energy: support mechanisms

    Schomerus, T., 06.2016, Climate Change Law. Farber, D. & Peeters, M. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 465-475 11 p. (Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law series; no. 1).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaTransfer

  13. Published

    Thermal synthesis of a thermochemical heat storage with heat exchanger optimization

    Fopah Lele, A., Kuznik, F., Osterland, T. & Ruck, W., 25.05.2016, In: Applied Thermal Engineering. 101, p. 669-677 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Importance of actors and agency in sustainability transitions: A systematic exploration of the literature

    Fischer, L. B. & Newig, J., 13.05.2016, In: Sustainability. 8, 5, 21 p., 476.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Are the Rural Electrification Efforts in the Ecuadorian Amazon Sustainable?

    Feron, S., Heinrichs, H. & Cordero, R., 05.05.2016, In: Sustainability. 8, 5, p. 1-22 22 p., 443.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Self-guided internet-based and mobile-based stress management for employees: results of a randomised controlled trial

    Ebert, D. D., Heber, E., Berking, M., Riper, H., Cuijpers, P., Funk, B. & Lehr, D., 05.05.2016, In: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 73, 5, p. 315-323 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Effect of a Web-Based Guided Self-help Intervention for Prevention of Major Depression in Adults With Subthreshold Depression A Randomized Clinical Trial

    Buntrock, C., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Smit, F., Riper, H., Berking, M. & Cuijpers, P., 03.05.2016, In: JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association. 315, 17, p. 1854-1863 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Efficacy of an internet-based self-help intervention to reduce co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression symptoms in adults: Study protocol of a three-arm randomised controlled trial

    Schaub, M. P., Blankers, M., Lehr, D., Boss, L., Riper, H., Dekker, J., Goudriaan, A. E., Maier, L. J., Haug, S., Amann, M., Dey, M., Wenger, A. & Ebert, D. D., 01.05.2016, In: BMJ Open. 6, 5, 13 p., e011457.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Habitat management on multiple spatial scales can enhance bee pollination and crop yield in tropical homegardens

    Motzke, I., Klein, A. M., Saleh, S., Tscharntke, T. & Wanger, T. C., 01.05.2016, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 223, p. 144-151 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Social factors mediating human–carnivore coexistence: Understanding thematic strands influencing coexistence in Central Romania

    Dorresteijn, I., Milcu, A. I., Leventon, J., Hanspach, J. & Fischer, J., 01.05.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 4, p. 490-500 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Soil and tree species traits both shape soil microbial communities during early growth of Chinese subtropical forests

    Pei, Z., Eichenberg, D., Bruelheide, H., Kröber, W., Kühn, P., Li, Y., von Oheimb, G., Purschke, O., Scholten, T., Buscot, F. & Gutknecht, J. L. M., 01.05.2016, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 96, p. 180-190 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    The relevance of cultural aspects in cross cultural management in multinational companies

    Ferraris, A., Longo, M. & Warsitzka, M., 01.05.2016, Managing Globalization: New Business Models, Strategies and Innovation. Vrontis, D., Bresciani, S. & Rossi, M. (eds.). Cambridge Scholars Publishing, p. 50-76 27 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  23. Published

    Direct negative density-dependence in a pond-breeding frog population

    Băncilă, R. I., Ozgul, A., Hartel, T., Sos, T. & Schmidt, B. R., 05.2016, In: Ecography. 39, 5, p. 449-455 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Herausforderungen des kulturellen Wandels in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit

    Heinrichs, H., 05.2016, Umweltpolitik für die Transformation fit machen: Neue Grundkonfigurationen für eine angewandte Umweltpolitik. Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, p. 7-9 3 p. (Für Mensch & Umwelt).

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

  25. Published

    Root-emitted volatile organic compounds: can they mediate belowground plant-plant interactions?

    Delory, B. M., Delaplace, P., Fauconnier, M. L. & du Jardin, P., 05.2016, In: Plant and Soil. 402, 1-2, p. 1-26 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  26. Published

    Unfamiliar fuel: How the UK public views the infrastructure required to supply hydrogen for road transport

    Bellaby, P., Upham, P., Flynn, R. & Ricci, M., 27.04.2016, In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 41, 15, p. 6534-6543 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Transforming European Water Governance? Participation and River Basin Management under the EU Water Framework Directive in 13 Member States

    Jager, N. W., Challies, E., Kochskämper, E., Newig, J., Benson, D., Blackstock, K., Collins, K., Ernst, A., Evers, M., Feichtinger, J., Fritsch, O., Gooch, G., Grund, W., Hedelin, B., Hernández-Mora, N., Frank, H., Huitema, D., Irvine, K., Klinke, A., Lange, L., Loupsans, D., Lubell, M., Maganda, C., Matczak, P., Parés, M., Saarikoski, H., Slavíková, L., van der Arend, S. & von Korff, Y., 19.04.2016, In: Water. 8, 4, 22 p., 156.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Systematic student-driven literature reviews in sustainability science: An effective way to merge research and teaching

    Abson, D. J., Gralla, F., Lang, D. J., Rau, A. L., von Wehrden, H., Lüderitz, C. & Meyer, M., 15.04.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 119, p. 229-235 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    What determines PCB concentrations in soils in rural and urban areas? Insights from a multi-media fate model for Switzerland as a case study

    Glüge, J., Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 15.04.2016, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 550, p. 1152-1162 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Incremental contribution of pollination and other ecosystem services to agricultural productivity: Effects of service quantity and quality

    Garibaldi, L. A., Aizen, M. A., Cunningham, S. A., Harder, L. D. & Klein, A. M., 14.04.2016, Pollination Services to Agriculture : Sustaining and Enhancing a Key Ecosystem Service. Gemmill-Herren, B. (ed.). London: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 33-42 10 p.

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

  31. Published

    Water quantity and quality in the Zerafshan River basin: Only an upstream riparian problem?

    Olsson, O., Wegerich, K. & Kabilov, F., 08.04.2016, Water and Security in Central Asia: Solving a Rubik's Cube. Stucki, V., Wegerich, K., Rahaman, M. M. & Varis, O. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 99-111 13 p.

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

  32. Published

    Business model experimentation for sustainability

    Bocken, N. M. P., Weissbrod, I. & Tennant, M., 06.04.2016, Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2016. Setchi, R., Howlett, R., Liu, Y. & Theobald, P. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing, p. 297-306 10 p. (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; vol. 52).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Aquatic Exposure Predictions of Insecticide Field Concentrations Using a Multimedia Mass-Balance Model

    Knäbel, A., Scheringer, M., Stehle, S. & Schulz, R., 05.04.2016, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 50, 7, p. 3721-3728 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Does excess nitrogen supply increase the drought sensitivity of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings?

    Dziedek, C., von Oheimb, G., Calvo, L., Fichtner, A., Kriebitzsch, W.-U., Marcos, E., Härdtle, W. & Pitz, W., 01.04.2016, In: Plant Ecology. 217, 4, p. 393-405 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Energizing marginal soils - The establishment of the energy crop Sida hermaphrodita as dependent on digestate fertilization, NPK, and legume intercropping

    Nabel, M., Temperton, V. M., Poorter, H., Lücke, A. & Jablonowski, N. D., 01.04.2016, In: Biomass and Bioenergy. 87, p. 9-16 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Impact of prescribed burning on a heathland inhabiting spider community

    Krause, R. H. & Assmann, T., 01.04.2016, In: Arachnologische Mitteilungen. 2016, 51, p. 57-63 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published
  38. Published

    Plant diversity increases spatio-temporal niche complementarity in plant-pollinator interactions

    Venjakob, C., Klein, A.-M., Ebeling, A., Tscharntke, T. & Scherber, C., 01.04.2016, In: Ecology and Evolution. 6, 8, p. 2249-2261 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Two Decades of Sustainability Management Tools for SMEs: How Far Have We Come?

    Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 01.04.2016, In: Journal of Small Business Management. 54, 2, p. 481-505 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Willkommen im Anthropozän

    Niebert, K., 01.04.2016, In: Biologie in Unserer Zeit. 46, 2, p. 75 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  41. Published

    Besser, weniger, anders – auf guten Wegen zur Nachhaltigkeit?

    Biesecker, A., Hofmeister, S. & von Winterfeld , U., 04.2016, In: Das Argument. 315, p. 82-90 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Langzeiteffekte eines Online-Trainings zur Reduktion von depressiven Beschwerden für Personen mit Diabetes Mellitus Typ 1 und Typ 2: Ergebnisse einer randomisiert-klinischen Studie nach 12 Monaten

    Nobis, S., Lehr, D., Berking, M., Baumeister, H., Riper, H., Snoek, F. J. & Ebert, D. D., 04.2016, In: Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel. 11, S1, P89.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Martin Hack, Energie-Contracting - Energiedienstleistungen und dezentrale Energieversorgung

    Schomerus, C.-T., 04.2016, In: Zeitschrift für das gesamte Recht der Energiewirtschaft EnWZ. 4/2016, p. Aktuell 10-11 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsTransfer

  44. Published

    Medienökologien fürs Anthropozän

    Schrickel, I. & Stürmer, M., 04.2016, In: Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft. 14, 1, p. 180-185 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    The delay vector variance method and the recurrence quantification analysis of energy markets

    Fianu, E. S., 31.03.2016, In: International Journal of Energy and Statistics. 4, 1, 31 p., 1650001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Comparing the research-practice gap in management accounting: A view from professional accounting bodies in Australia and Germany

    Tucker, B. & Schaltegger, S., 21.03.2016, In: Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. 29, 3, p. 362-400 39 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    A synthesis for everyone: 5 years of work in Romania

    Fischer, J., 16.03.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  49. Published

    Benign by design: Benign by Design

    Kümmerer, K., 14.03.2016, Green and Sustainable Medicinal Chemistry: Methods, Tools and Strategies for the 21st Century Pharmaceutical Industry. Summerton, L., Sneddon, H. F., Jones, L. C. & Clark, J. H. (eds.). Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 73-81 9 p. (RSC Green Chemistry; vol. 2016-January, no. 46).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  50. Published

    Presence, fate and risks of pharmaceuticals in the environment

    Kümmerer, K., 14.03.2016, Green and Sustainable Medicinal Chemistry: Methods, Tools and Strategies for the 21st Century Pharmaceutical Industry. Summerton, L., Sneddon, H. F., Jones, L. C. & Clark, J. H. (eds.). Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 63-72 10 p. (RSC Green Chemistry; vol. 2016-January, no. 46).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  51. Published

    Impressions from a conference: sustainable land management

    Fischer, J., 08.03.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch