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

    Sustainability Ethics

    Oermann, N. O. & Weinert, A., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Verlag, p. 175-192 18 p.

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

  3. Published

    Sustainable Development: Background and Context

    Michelsen, G., Adomßent, M., Martens, P. & von Hauff, M., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 5-29 25 p.

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

  4. Published

    Sustainable Development and Law

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 109-118 10 p.

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

  5. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship as a Research Field? Evidence from a Systematic Literature Review

    Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 2016, Academy of Management Proceedings 2016. Academy of Management (Briarcliff Manor, NY) , Vol. 62. 16175. (Academy of Management Proceedings; vol. 2016).

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

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Teaching and Learning in Sustainability Science

    Barth, M., 2016, Sustainability Science : An Introduction . Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 325-333 9 p.

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

  8. Published

    The Austrian way of TEMI

    Hofer, E., Abels, S. & Lembens, A., 2016, In: Chemistry in Action!. 107, p. 23-29 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  9. Published

    The development of an eco-label for software products: A transdisciplinary process?

    Kern, E., 2016, INFORMATIK 2016. Mayr, H. C. & Pinzger, M. (eds.). Bonn: Köllen Verlag, p. 1285-1296 12 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. P-259).

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

  10. Published

    The diffusion of sustainable family farming practices in Colombia: an emerging sociotechnical niche?

    Ortíz, W. & Vilsmaier, U., 2016, International Sustainability Transitions Conference. p. 1 - 69 70 p.

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

  11. Published

    The growth-welfare dialectic: What might hegel say?

    Fischer, M., 2016, In: GAIA. 25, 2, p. 80-83 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    The links between biodiversity and ecosystem services

    Balvanera, P., Quijas, S., Martín-López, B., Barrios, E., Dee, L., Isbell, F., Durance, I., White, P., Blanchard, R. & de Groot, R., 2016, Routledge Handbook of Ecosystem Services. Potschin, M., Haines-Young, R. & Fish, R. (eds.). London: Taylor & Francis, p. 85-104 20 p.

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

  13. Published

    The research process of understanding biographical learning processes of sustainability entrepreneurs

    Timm, J.-M., 2016, Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development. Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Rieckmann, M. & Thomas, I. (eds.). 1 ed. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 383-395 13 p. 26. (Routledge international handbooks).

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

  14. Published

    Thesen. Statements: Vorab. First thinks first

    Gottschlich, D., 2016, Natur und Evolution als ZuMutungen an eine zukunftsfähige Gestaltung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft: 7. Spiekerooger KlimaGespräche 2015. Pfriem, R. (ed.). Oldenburg: dbv Deutscher Buchverlag GmbH, p. 14 1 p.

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

  15. Published

    Towards a Real-world Laboratory: A Transdisciplinary Case Study from Lüneburg

    Bernert, P., Haaser, A., Kühl, L. & Schaal, T., 2016, In: GAIA. 25, 4, p. 253-259 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Towards sustainable land uses within the Elbe river biosphere reserve in Lower Saxony, Germany by means of TerraSAR-X images

    Farghaly, D., Elba, E. & Urban, B., 2016, In: Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 4, 3, p. 97-121 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Transdisziplinäre Bildungsforschung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Fischer, D., Grunenberg, H., Mader, C. & Michelsen, G., 2016, Forschung für Nachhaltigkeit an deutschen Hochschulen. Leal Filho, W. (ed.). Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, p. 25-42 17 p. (Theorie und Praxis der Nachhaltigkeit; no. 1).

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

  18. Published

    Transformational Sustainability Research Methodology

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 31-41 11 p. 3

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

  19. Published

    Unternehmerische Identität zwischen Nerz, Nerd und Normalunternehmer: Entwicklung eines Forschungsdesigns zur Analyse des (de)aktivierenden Potenzials der medialen Darstellung von Unternehmerinnen

    Halberstadt, J., Hölzner, H., Gómez, J. M. & Kraus, S., 2016, (Un)typisch Gender Studies – neue interdisziplinäre Forschungsfragen. Halberstadt, J., Hilmers, L., Kubes, T. A. & Weingraber, S. (eds.). Opladen: Budrich UniPress , p. 157-170 14 p.

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

  20. Published

    (Un)typisch Gender Studies: neue interdisziplinäre Forschungsfragen

    Halberstadt, J. (Editor), Hilmers, L. (Editor), Kubes, T. (Editor) & Weingraber, S. (Editor), 2016, Opladen: Budrich UniPress . 306 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  21. Published

    Urbanes Lernen. Stadt als vielfältiges Lern- und Erfahrungsfeld - aus Sicht einer Stadtplanerin

    Edelhoff, S. H., 2016, In: Hamburg macht Schule. 28, 2, p. 24-25 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  22. Published
  23. Published

    Verhandlungsforschung als Grundlage einer Mediationstheorie

    Trötschel, R., Majer, J. M. & Höhne, B., 2016, Handbuch Mediation. Haft, F. & von Schlieffen, K. (eds.). 3 ed. München: C.H. Beck Verlag, p. 163-186 24 p. 6

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

  24. Published

    Verwertung von Reststoffen aus der Kaffeeproduktion als Kohlenstoffquellen in der fermentativen Milchsäureproduktion

    Pleißner, D., Neu, A.-K. & Venus, J., 2016, Pflanzen für die Bioökonomie – Welche Herausforderungen ergeben sich für die Qualität nachwachsender Rohstoffe?: 50. Vortragstagung 14.-15. März 2016 Julius Kühn-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen in Berlin-Dahlem : Abstracts. Julius Kühn-Institut, p. 35 1 p. (Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut; vol. 183).

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

  25. Published

    Virtuelle Mobilität und Kompetenzerwerb: Wie durch international vernetzte Online-Seminare Kompetenzen für eine heterogene, globale Informationsgesellschaft vermittelt werden können - Dargestellt am Beispiel des Global Classrooms

    Vogt, J. C., Leonie, B. & John, B., 2016, Bildung und Hochschule: Impulse für Studium und Lehre am Beispiel des Leuphana College. Beck, K., Bothe, T., Glaser, T., Heuer, C., Schütz, J. & Seifert, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 171-204 34 p.

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

  26. Published

    Von Besserwissern, Moralaposteln und Tugendwächtern: Woran Kommunikation über Ethik scheitern kann

    Adomßent, M., 2016, Jenseits von Belehrung und Bekehrung: Wie kann Kommunikation über Ethik im Naturschutz gelingen? Dokumentation des gleichnamigen Workshops in Stuttgart-Hohenheim am 8. und 9. Oktober 2015. Eser, U. (ed.). Bonn Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 50-57 8 p. (BfN-Skripten ; vol. 437).

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

  27. Published

    Waste Water Reuse and Current Challenges

    Fatta-Kassinos, D. (Editor), Dionysiou, D. D. & Kümmerer, K. (Editor), 2016, Cham: Springer Nature. 261 p. (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; vol. 44, no. 1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  28. Published

    Welche Freiheit brauchen Unternehmer?

    Dierksmeier, C. & Petersen, H., 2016, In: Forum Wirtschaftsethik. 24, 2, p. 3-8 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Windenergiedrachen – Rechtsfragen bei Installation und Betrieb

    Meister, M., Maly, C. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, In: Energierecht : ER Zeitschrift für die gesamte Energierechtspraxis. 5, 04, p. 160-167 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  30. Published

    Wirksamkeit eines internet- und smartphone-basierten Dankbarkeitstrainings zur Förderung der gedanklichen Distanzierung von arbeitsbezogenen Problemen –Sekundäranalyse einer randomisiert - kontrollierten Studie

    Heckendorf, H., Lehr, D., Freund, H., Ebert, D. D. & Sieland, B., 2016, State of the Art : Zum Stand der positiv - psycho - logischen Forschung im deutschsprachigen Raum. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Positiv-Psychologische Forschung, p. 23-24 2 p.

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

  31. Published

    Wirksamkeit Internet- und Mobil-basierter Behandlung komorbider Depression bei Diabetes. Ergebnisse einer randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie

    Ebert, D. D., Nobis, S., Lehr, D. & Baumeister, H., 2016, 15. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verhaltensmedizin und Verhaltensmodifikation: Verhaltensmedizin 2.0 - von eHealth zu mHealth - Abstractband. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, p. 12 1 p.

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

  32. Published

    Workplace mediation: Lessons from negotiation theory

    Höhne, B., Loschelder, D. D., Gutenbrunner, L., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 2016, Advancing workplace mediation through integration of theory and practice. Bollen, K., Euwema, M. & Munduate, L. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 67-86 20 p. (Industrial Relations & Conflict Management; vol. 3).

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

  33. Published

    Zur Demokratisierung gesellschaftlicher Naturverhältnisse: Warum die Perspektiven der Politischen Ökologie dafür unverzichtbar sind

    Gottschlich, D. & Hackfort, S., 2016, In: Politische Vierteljahresschrift. 57, 2, p. 300-322 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  34. Published

    Zwischen Stadt und Land: Hybride Räume verstehen und gestalten

    Mölders, T., Othengrafen, F., Stock, K. & Zibell, B., 2016, StadtLandschaften: Die neue Hybridität von Stadt und Land. Hofmeister, S. & Kühne, O. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 37-61 25 p. (Hybride Metropolen).

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

  35. 2015
  36. Published

    Pumpspeicher an Bundeswasserstraßen: Technische, wirtschaftliche und rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen am Beispiel des Elbe-Seitenkanals

    Degenhart, H. (Editor), Schomerus, C.-T. (Editor) & Schulz, D. (Editor), 17.12.2015, Springer Vieweg. 107 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  37. Published

    Polychlorinated Biphenyls in a Temperate Alpine Glacier: 2. Model Results of Chemical Fate Processes

    Steinlin, C., Bogdal, C., Pavlova, P. A., Schwikowski, M., Lüthi, M. P., Scheringer, M., Schmid, P. & Hungerbühler, K., 15.12.2015, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 49, 24, p. 14092-14100 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Tree cover mediates the effect on rapeseed leaf damage of excluding predatory arthropods, but in an unexpected way

    Lemessa, D., Samnegård, U., Hambäck, P. A. & Hylander, K., 15.12.2015, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 211, p. 57-64 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    UK public perceptions of shale gas hydraulic fracturing: The role of audience, message and contextual factors on risk perceptions and policy support

    Whitmarsh, L., Nash, N., Upham, P., Lloyd, A., Verdon, J. P. & Kendall, J. M., 15.12.2015, In: Applied Energy. 160, p. 419-430 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Multitrophic diversity in a biodiverse forest is highly nonlinear across spatial scales

    Schuldt, A., Wubet, T., Buscot, F., Staab, M., Aßmann, T., Böhnke-Kammerlander, M., Both, S., Erfmeier, A., Klein, A.-M., Ma, K., Pietsch, K., Schultze, S., Wirth, C., Zhang, J., Zumstein, P. & Bruelheide, H., 10.12.2015, In: Nature Communications. 6, 8 p., 10169.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Living in Heterogeneous Woodlands - Are Habitat Continuity or Quality Drivers of Genetic Variability in a Flightless Ground Beetle?

    Marcus, T., Boch, S., Durka, W., Fischer, M., Gossner, M. M., Müller, J., Schöning, I., Weisser, W. W., Drees, C. & Assmann, T., 07.12.2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 12, 18 p., e0144217.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Lexsyg smart - A luminescence detection system for dosimetry, material research and dating application

    Richter, D., Richter, A. & Dornich, K., 04.12.2015, In: Geochronometria. 42, 1, p. 202-209 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Excavations at Schöningen and paradigm shifts in human evolution

    Conard, N. J., Serangeli, J., Böhner, U., Starkovich, B. M., Miller, C. E., Urban, B. & van Kolfschoten, T., 02.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 1-17 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Addressing the complexity of water chemistry in environmental fate modeling for engineered nanoparticles

    Sani-Kast, N., Scheringer, M., Slomberg, D., Labille, J., Praetorius, A., Ollivier, P. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.12.2015, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 535, p. 150 - 159 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    A three-dimensional framework to explore corporate sustainability activities in the mining industry: Current status and challenges ahead

    Fuisz-Kehrbach, S.-K., 01.12.2015, In: Resources Policy. 46, 1, p. 101-115 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Butterfly communities in miombo woodland: Biodiversity declines with increasing woodland utilisation

    Jew, E. K. K., Loos, J., Dougill, A. J., Sallu, S. M. & Benton, T. G., 01.12.2015, In: Biological Conservation. 192, p. 436-444 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Characterizing the Lower Paleolithic bone industry from Schöningen 12 II: A multi-proxy study.

    Julien, M. A., Hardy, B., Stahlschmidt, M., Urban, B., Serangeli, J. & Conard, N. J., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 264-286 23 p., 89.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Environmental effects of sustainability management tools: An empirical analysis of large companies

    Hörisch, J., Ortas, E., Schaltegger, S. & Álvarez, I., 01.12.2015, In: Ecological Economics. 120, p. 241-249 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Environmental reconstruction and biostratigraphy of late Middle Pleistocene lakeshore deposits at Schöningen

    Urban, B. & Bigga, G., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Human Evolution. 89, p. 57-70 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Expanding Material Flow Cost Accounting: Framework, Review and Potentials

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 01.12.2015, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 108, Part B, p. 1333-1341 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Functional diversity and trait composition of butterfly and bird communities in Farmlands of Central Romania

    Hanspach, J., Loos, J., Dorresteijn, I., Wehrden, H., Moga, C. I. & David, A., 01.12.2015, In: Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 1, 10, p. 1-8 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Implementation of Sustainability Management and Company Size: A Knowledge-Based View

    Hörisch, J., Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 01.12.2015, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 24, 8, p. 765-779 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review