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

    Hierarchy and respect

    Fischer, J., 03.03.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  3. Published

    Business Models for Sustainability: Origins, Present Research, and Future Avenues

    Schaltegger, S., Hansen, E. G. & Lüdeke-Freund, F., 01.03.2016, In: Organization & Environment. 29, 1, p. 3-10 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. Published

    New Sediment Cores Reveal Environmental Changes Driven by Tectonic Processes at Ancient Helike, Greece

    Engel, M., Jacobson, K., Boldt, K., Frenzel, P., Katsonopoulou, D., Soter, S., Alvarez Zarikian, C. A. & Brückner, H., 01.03.2016, In: Geoarchaeology. 31, 2, p. 140-155 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Organic farming affects the biological control of hemipteran pests and yields in spring barley independent of landscape complexity

    Birkhofer, K., Arvidsson, F., Ehlers, D., Mader, V. L., Bengtsson, J. & Smith, H. G., 01.03.2016, In: Landscape Ecology. 31, 3, p. 567-579 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Reviving wood-pastures for biodiversity and people: A case study from western Estonia

    Roellig, M., Sutcliffe, L. M. E., Sammul, M., von Wehrden, H., Newig, J. & Fischer, J., 01.03.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 2, p. 185-195 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    The farmer as a landscape steward: Comparing local understandings of landscape stewardship, landscape values, and land management actions

    Raymond, C. M., Bieling, C., Fagerholm, N., Martin-Lopez, B. & Plieninger, T., 01.03.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 2, p. 173-184 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Urban gardens promote bee foraging over natural habitats and plantations

    Kaluza, B. F., Wallace, H., Heard, T. A., Klein, A. M. & Leonhardt, S. D., 01.03.2016, In: Ecology and Evolution. 6, 5, p. 1304-1316 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Utilization of protein-rich residues in biotechnological processes

    Pleissner, D. & Venus, J., 01.03.2016, In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 100, 5, p. 2133-2140 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Die Verwendung von "Nachhaltigkeit" in deutschen Zeitungen: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Medienanalyse

    Fischer, D. & Haucke, F., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus : Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 55-67 13 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  11. Published

    Fallstudie eines modellhaften Weiterbildungsprogramms für Journalist_innen: Zertifikatstudium Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus

    Fischer, D., Marwege, R. & Michelsen, G., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus : Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 81-94 14 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  12. Published

    Globales Denken? Zum Wirkungszusammenhang von Forschungspraxis, Erkenntnisfeld und der Art zu denken

    Vilsmaier, U., 03.2016, Wissenschaft und Globales Denken. Gmainer-Pranzl, F. & Schottenhammer, A. (eds.). Frankfurt a.M. u.a.: Peter Lang Verlag, p. 109-127 19 p. (Salzburger interdisziplinäre Diskurse; vol. 7).

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

  13. Published

    Mentoring in Massive Open Online Courses - Eine Nutzenanalyse auf Basis des IS-Success-Modells

    Drawert, K., Mager, M., Funk, B., Trötschel, R. & Pfeifer, C., 03.2016, Multikonferenz Wirtschaftsinformatik (MKWI) 2016: Technische Universität Ilmenau 09. - 11. März 2016 . Nissen, V., Stelzer, D., Straßburger, S. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Universitätsverlag Ilmenau - ilmedia, Vol. 3. p. 1511-1522 12 p. (Multikonferenz Wirtschaftsinformatik, MKWI 2016; vol. 3).

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

  14. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus: Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis

    Michelsen, G. (Editor) & Fischer, D. (Editor), 03.2016, Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 153 p. (Innovationen in den Hochschulen: Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  15. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus? Ergebnisse einer Delphi-Studie mit Expertinnen und Experten

    Humburg, A., Fischer, D., Marwege, R. & Michelsen, G., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus: Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 23-38 16 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  16. Published

    Vom Umwelt- zum Nachhaltigkeitsjournalismus? Die Initiative "Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus"

    Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus: Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 9-19 11 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  17. Published

    Wie kommt Nachhaltigkeit in die Medien? Nachrichtenfaktoren und Frames im Nachhaltigkeitsjournalismus

    Fischer, D., Haucke, F. & Humburg, A., 03.2016, Nachhaltigkeit und Journalismus : Erkenntnisse und Impulse aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. Michelsen, G. & Fischer, D. (eds.). Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, p. 39-54 16 p. (Innovation in den Hochschulen ‐ Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 12).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  18. Published

    The tyranny of coarse scales in sustainability science and policy

    Fischer, J., 15.02.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  19. Published

    “Re-connecting people and nature”: wrong term, wrong goal?

    Fischer, J., 09.02.2016

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  20. Published

    Why protect nature? Rethinking values and the environment

    Chan, K. M. A., Balvanera, P., Benessaiah, K., Chapman, M., Díaz, S., Gómez-Baggethun, E., Gould, R., Hannahs, N., Jax, K., Klain, S., Luck, G. W., Martín-López, B., Muraca, B., Norton, B., Ott, K., Pascual, U., Satterfield, T., Tadaki, M., Taggart, J. & Turner, N., 09.02.2016, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 113, 6, p. 1462-1465 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  21. Published

    Turning hurt into impact (?)

    Fischer, J., 02.02.2016, 1 p.

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  22. Published

    Novel flame retardants: Estimating the physical-chemical properties and environmental fate of 94 halogenated and organophosphate PBDE replacements

    Zhang, X., Sühring, R., Serodio, D., Bonnell, M., Sundin, N. & Diamond, M. L., 01.02.2016, In: Chemosphere. 144, p. 2401-2407 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Participatory energy scenario development as dramatic scripting: A structural narrative analysis

    Upham, P., Klapper, R. & Carney, S., 01.02.2016, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 103, p. 47-56 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Perceptions of cultural ecosystem services from urban green

    Riechers, M., Barkmann, J. & Tscharntke, T., 01.02.2016, In: Ecosystem Services. 17, p. 33-39 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Spatial patterns of cultural ecosystem services provision in Southern Patagonia

    Martínez Pastur, G., Peri, P. L., Lencinas, M. V., García-Llorente, M. & Martín-López, B., 01.02.2016, In: Landscape Ecology. 31, 2, p. 383-399 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    A coastal and an interior Douglas fir provenance exhibit different metabolic strategies to deal with drought stress

    Du, B., Jansen, K., Kleiber, A., Eiblmeier, M., Kammerer, B., Ensminger, I., Gessler, A., Rennenberg, H. & Kreuzwieser, J., 02.2016, In: Tree Physiology. 36, 2, p. 148–163 16 p., tpv105.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    A Synthesis is Emerging between Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function and Ecological Resilience Research: Reply to Mori

    Oliver, T. H., Heard, M. S., Isaac, N. J. B., Roy, D. B., Procter, D., Eigenbrod, F., Freckleton, R., Hector, A., Orme, C. D. L., Petchey, O. L., Proença, V., Raffaelli, D., Blake Suttle, K., Mace, G. M., Martín-López, B., Woodcock, B. A. & Bullock, J. M., 02.2016, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 31, 2, p. 89-92 4 p.

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

  28. Published

    Tree species and functional traits but not species richness affect interrill erosion processes in young subtropical forests

    Seitz, S., Goebes, P., Song, Z., Bruehlheide, H., Härdtle, W., Kühn, P., Li, Y. & Scholten, T., 21.01.2016, In: SOIL. 2, 1, p. 49-61 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Distribution of brominated flame retardants and dechloranes between sediments and benthic fish - A comparison of a freshwater and marine habitat

    Sühring, R., Busch, F., Fricke, N., Kötke, D., Wolschke, H. & Ebinghaus, R., 15.01.2016, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 542, p. 578-585 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Sorption and thermal characterization of composite materials based on chlorides for thermal energy storage

    Korhammer, K., Druske, M.-M., Fopah Lele, A., Rammelberg, H., Wegscheider, N., Opel, O., Osterland, T. & Ruck, W., 15.01.2016, In: Applied Energy. 162, p. 1462-1472 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Other spaces: Parks as societal mirrors

    Vilsmaier, U., 14.01.2016, Parks of the Future: Protected Areas in Europe Challenging Regional and Global Change. Hammer, T., Mose, I., Siegrist, D. & Weixlbaumer, N. (eds.). 1 ed. München: Oekom Verlag, p. 113-121 9 p.

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

  32. Published

    Thinking about climate change: Young people from Ladakh responding to global warming: An explorative study

    Getzin, S., 13.01.2016, Exploring Alterity in a Globalized World. Wulf, C. (ed.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 454-467 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  33. Published

    Transnational governance towards sustainable biofuels: Exploring a polycentric view

    Moser, C. & Bailis, R., 13.01.2016, Environmental Politics and Governance in the Anthropocene: Institutions and legitimacy in a complex world. Pattberg, P. & Zelli, F. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 103-126 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  34. Published

    How do rhizobacterial volatiles influence root system architecture, biomass production and allocation of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon?

    Delaplace, P., Ormeno-Lafuente, E., Nguyen, M., Delory, B., Baudson, C., Mendaluk - Saunier de Cazenave, M., Spaepen, S., Varin, S., Brostaux, Y. & du Jardin, P., 12.01.2016, 24th Plant & Animal Genome Conference, Brachypodium Genomics Workshop. Scherago International, 1 p.

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

  35. Published

    Globalization’s limits to the environmental state? Integrating telecoupling into global environmental governance

    Lenschow, A., Newig, J. & Challies, E., 02.01.2016, In: Environmental Politics. 25, 1, p. 136-159 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Transdisciplinarity in a messy world

    Fischer, J., 02.01.2016, Lüneburg

    Research output: other publicationsArticles in scientific forums or blogsResearch

  37. Published

    100 key research questions for the post-2015 development agenda

    Oldekop, J. A., Fontana, L. B., Grugel, J., Roughton, N., Adu-Ampong, E. A., Bird, G. K., Dorgan, A., Vera Espinoza, M. A., Wallin, S., Hammett, D., Agbarakwe, E., Agrawal, A., Asylbekova, N., Azkoul, C., Bardsley, C., Bebbington, A. J., Carvalho, S., Chopra, D., Christopoulos, S., Crewe, E., Dop, M. C., Fischer, J., Gerretsen, D., Glennie, J., Gois, W., Gondwe, M., Harrison, L. A., Hujo, K., Keen, M., Laserna, R., Miggiano, L., Mistry, S., Morgan, R. J., Raftree, L. L., Rhind, D., Rodrigues, T., Roschnik, S., Senkubuge, F., Thornton, I., Trace, S., Ore, T., Valdés, R. M., Vira, B., Yeates, N. & Sutherland, W. J., 01.01.2016, In: Development Policy Review. 34, 1, p. 55-82 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    An idea and a person whose time had come: How Albert Schweitzer became a postwar icon

    Oermann, N. O., Thate, M. J. & Widmann, E., 01.01.2016, Albert Schweitzer in Thought and Action: A Life in Parts. Carleton-Paget, J. & Thate, M. J. (eds.). Syracuse University Press, p. 319-329 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  39. Published

    An integrative analysis of energy transitions in energy regions: A case study of ökoEnergieland in Austria

    Hecher, M., Vilsmaier, U., Akhavan, R. & Binder, C. R., 01.01.2016, In: Ecological Economics. 121 , Januar 2016, p. 40-53 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    BaWü-labs on their way: Progress of real-world laboratories in Baden-Württemberg

    Wagner, F., Schäpke, N., Bergmann, M., Lang, D. J. & Stelzer, F., 01.01.2016, In: GAIA. 25, 3, p. 220-221 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Cascades of green: A review of ecosystem-based adaptation in urban areas

    Brink, E., Aalders, T., Ádám, D., Feller, R., Henselek, Y., Hoffmann, A., Ibe, K., Matthey-Doret, A., Meyer, M., Negrut, N. L., Rau, A. L., Riewerts, B., von Schuckmann, L., Törnros, S., von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J. & Wamsler, C., 01.01.2016, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 36, p. 111-123 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Cities are hotspots for threatened species

    Ives, C. D., Lentini, P. E., Threlfall, C. G., Ikin, K., Shanahan, D. F., Garrard, G. E., Bekessy, S. A., Fuller, R. A., Mumaw, L., Rayner, L., Rowe, R., Valentine, L. E. & Kendal, D., 01.01.2016, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 25, 1, p. 117-126 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Climate Conflicts: A case of international environmental and humanitarian law

    Christiansen, S. M., 01.01.2016, 1 ed. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 245 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Decentralized utilization of wasted organic material in urban areas: A case study in Hong Kong

    Pleissner, D., 01.01.2016, In: Ecological Engineering. 86, p. 120-125 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Decision Support Through Carbon Management Accounting - A Framework-Based Literature Review

    Zvezdov, D. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2016, Corporate Carbon and Climate Accounting. Schaltegger, S., Zvezdov, D., Alvarez Etxeberria, I. & Günther, E. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 27-44 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  46. Published

    Degradation of cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil by UV and simulated sunlight treatments: Assessment of the enhancement of the biodegradability and toxicity

    Lutterbeck, C. A., Wilde, M. L., Baginska, E., Leder, C., Machado, Ê. L. & Kümmerer, K., 01.01.2016, In: Environmental Pollution. 208, Part B, p. 467-476 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Disentangling trade-offs and synergies around ecosystem services with the influence network framework: Illustration from a consultative process over the French Alps

    Crouzat, E., Martín-López, B., Turkelboom, F. & Lavorel, S., 01.01.2016, In: Ecology and Society. 21, 2, 18 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Ecosystem services values in Spain: A meta-analysis

    Quintas-Soriano, C., Martín-López, B., Santos-Martín, F., Loureiro, M., Montes, C., Benayas, J. & García-Llorente, M., 01.01.2016, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 55, p. 186-195 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published
  50. Published

    How does the context and design of participatory decision making processes affect their outcomes? Evidence from sustainable land management in global drylands

    de Vente, J., Reed, M. S., Stringer, L. C., Valente, S. & Newig, J., 01.01.2016, In: Ecology and Society. 21, 2, 24 p., 24.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Marginal Calluna populations are more resistant to climate change, but not under high-nitrogen loads

    Meyer-Grünefeldt, M., Belz, K., Calvo, L., Marcos, E., Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 01.01.2016, In: Plant Ecology. 217, 1, p. 111-122 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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