School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- Published
Klimabildung für alle?! Gemeinsames Lernen an naturwissenschaftlichen Kontexten zum Klimawandel
González, L. F., Fühner, L., Menthe, J. & Abels, S., 2025, Handbuch Klimabildung. Höttecke, D., Heinicke, S., Martens, H., Nehring, A. & Rabe, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 501-525 25 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Kollaboratives Forschen und Lernen im Prozess bildungsbezogener Arbeit
Hantke, H. & Hantsch, R., 2025, In: berufsbildung - Zeitschrift für Theorie-Praxis-Dialog. 1/2025, 205Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Local peoples' values and disvalues in and around an Indian protected area undergoing urbanization
Plieninger, T., Thapa, P., Fagerholm, N., Basu, S., Bhaskar, D., Nagendra, H., Raymond, C. M. & Torralba, M., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Environmental Conservation. 9 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Measuring the semantic priming effect across many languages
Author Collaboration of "Measuring the semantic priming effect across many languages", Buchanan, E. M., Heyman, T., van Berkel, N., Coles, N. A., Sevincer, A. T., Tschense, M. & Wallot, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Nature Human Behaviour. 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Methodological and empirical insights from gender vulnerability and adaptation responses to climate change in South Asia–a systematic review
Choudhary, A., Ajgaonkar, H., Chauhan, N., Kaechele, H. & Joshi, P. K., 2025, In: Climate and Development. 17, 10, p. 935-946 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Mostly harmless econometrics? Statistical paradigms in the ‘top five’ from 2000 to 2018
Engler, J. O., Beeck, J. J. & von Wehrden, H., 2025, In: Journal of Economic Methodology. 32, 1, p. 14-32 19 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Nachhaltigkeit leiten. Zukunftsorientierte Schulentwicklung mit dem Whole School Approach: Ein Toolkit für Schulleitungsteams
Fischer, D., Grauer, C., Holst, J. & Schlieszus, A. K., 2025, Greenpeace. 96 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Compendium/lecture notes › Transfer
- Accepted/In press
Negotiating With Yourself and Winning: The Dual Commitment Model for Intrapersonal Sustainability Goal Conflicts
Sevincer, A. T., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Motivation Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
On-farm compost and parsley residues extract use on organic fennel crop to improve agronomic performance and environmental sustainability
Diacono, M., Fiore, A., Di Bene, C., Farina, R., Trinchera, A., Li, J., Geelen, D., Pleissner, D., Almendinger, M., Montemurro, F. & Persiani, A., 2025, In: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 49, 5, p. 615-640 26 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Operational principles for fostering transformative qualities and capacities in higher education sustainability science and practice
Fagerholm, N., Coles, N., Beery, T., Torralba, M., Hakkarainen, V., Albert, C., Andersson, E., Bergström, R., Bieling, C., Gentin, S., Klonner, C., Stahl Olafsson, A., Raymond, C., Rouhiainen, H. & Wamsler, C., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Sustainability Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Pathways to synergize reductive with relational logics in environmental policy
Pérez-Hämmerle, K. V., Moon, K., Raymond, C. M., Lucas, P., Hakkarainen, V. & Wood, P., 2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 20 p., 2529585.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Pflanzengesellschaft des Jahres 2026: Federgras-Steppe (Festucion valesiacae)
Becker, T., Bergmeier, E., Boch, S., Diekmann, M., Dolnik, C., Durka, W., Ewald, J., Fartmann, T., Fechtler, T., Härdtle, W., Heinken, T., Hölzel, N., Horn, K., Lütt, S., Poniatowski, D., Pusch, J., Remy, D., Schneider, S., Thiel, H., Tischew, S., Vynokurov, D. & Willner, W., 2025, In: Tuexenia. 45Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Planting futures: School-based food forests and their contribution to holistic education for sustainable development
Gobs, J., 2025, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 34, 2, p. 97-105 9 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Playing the part: Children's willingness and embarrassment to play gender stereotype-violating roles
Parks-Stamm, E. J., Leuthold, C., Schuster, C., Day-Murray, K. & Martiny, S. E., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Developmental Psychology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Preface
Bäumler, J., Binder, C., Bungenberg, M., Krajewski, M., Rühl, G., Tams, C. J., Terhechte, J. P. & Ziegler, A. R., 2025, In: European Yearbook of International Economic Law. 15, p. v-x 6 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Accepted/In press
Psychological intervention in individuals with subthreshold depression: individual participant data meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators
Author Collaboration of "Psychological intervention in individuals with subthreshold depression: individual participant data meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators", Harrer, M., Sprenger, A. A., Illing, S., Adriaanse, M. C., Albert, S. M., Allart, E. & Lehr, D., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Psychiatry. 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen der Einleitung von häuslichem Schiffsabwasser in der Arktis und Antarktis
Schatz, V. J. & Ipsen, J., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für Europäisches Umwelt- und Planungsrecht. 23, 4, p. 409-426 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research
- Published
Rechtsrahmen und Zuständigkeit für die Überwachung der Vorwäsche im Rahmen von Anlage II des MARPOL-Übereinkommens
Schatz, V. J. & Ipsen, J., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für das Recht der Transportwirtschaft. 2025, 6, p. 202-208 6 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research
- Published
Resolving the Complexity-Flexibility Dilemma in Multi-Issue Negotiations: Nested Bracketing as a Strategy to Enhance Negotiation Outcomes
Zhang, H., Majer, J., Warsitzka, M. & Trötschel, R., 2025, In: Journal of Applied Psychology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Responsiv-transformative Weltbeziehungen – Resonanz als Anspruch einer nachhaltigkeitsbezogenen Bildung
Hantke, H. & Lorch, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Handbuch Resonanz. Beljan, J. (ed.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Transfer › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Sampling and processing of climate change information and disinformation across three diverse countries
Rahmani Azad, Z., Spampatti, T., Gluth, S., Tam, K. P. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Psychology. 23 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Self-consumption and self-sufficiency in energy sharing communities in Germany: What is the impact of wind energy?
Wiesenthal, J., 2025, In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 1532, 1, 012002.Research output: Journal contributions › Conference article in journal › Research › peer-review
- Published
Structure and dynamics of secondary and mature rainforests: insights from South Asian long-term monitoring plots
Murali, A., Kasinathan, S., Bhat, K., Ratnam, J., Sankaran, M., Mudappa, D., Raman, T. R. S. & Osuri, A. M., 2025, In: Plant Ecology and Diversity. 18, 1-2, p. 55-67 13 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation
Becker, B., Castanho Silva, B. & Lierse, H., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Public Policy. 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
The EU’s competitiveness turn and the myth of simplification
Bertram, A., 2025, Simplification of EU Legislation: A Complex Matter. TEPSA – Trans- European Policy Studies Association, p. 7-9 (European Council Experts Debrief).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter
- Published
The Impact of Sample Size on Reliability Metrics Stability in Isokinetic Strength Assessments: Does Size Matter?
Warneke, K., Keiner, M., Wallot, S., Siegel, S. D., Günther, C., Wirth, K. & Puschkasch-Möck, S., 2025, In: Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. 29, 4, p. 422-433 12 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
The Pluralistic Illusion of Gender Inequality
Sevincer, A. T. & Stoet, G., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychological Reports.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Towards Authentic Engagement with Indigenous Peoples: Lessons from Negotiated Agreements in the Pilbara, Western Australia
Benkert, J., Eversole, R. & Dembek, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Business and Society. 32 p., 00076503251376892.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Towards self-sufficiency: a socio-technical model to identify the transition pathways to flexible prosumers and the role of policy mixes
van der Kam, M., Lagomarsino, M., Parra, D. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Sustainability Science. 19 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Umgang mit Ambiguitäten im Kontext nachhaltiger Entwicklung – Empirische Einblicke in Lehr-Lern-Prozesse von Schüler:innen
Hantke, H., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Transformationen der Arbeit – Herausforderung für sozioökonomische Forschung, Bildung und Lehre?. Hagedorn, U. (ed.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ungleiche Partizipationschancen in heterogenen Lerngruppen: Eine ethnografische Studie in Klassenräten inklusiver Grundschulklassen
Meyn, J., 2025, Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt. 322 p. (Forschung Klinkhardt )Research output: Books and anthologies › Monographs › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Unravelling deep roots in drylands: A systems thinking participatory approach to the SDGs
Aguiar, A. P. D., Collste, D., Cortés-Calderón, S., Sonetti-González, T., Alves-Martins, M., Castro, A. J., Diallo, A., Eriksson, K. M., Goffner, D., Harmáčková, Z. V., Jiménez-Aceituno, A., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Mancilla-García, M., Olofsson, V., Perez-Marin, A., Silva-Bezerra, F. G., Sinare, H. & Stragier, C., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Global Sustainability. 8Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Why context matters: Understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors
Tolksdorf, F., Jimenez-Aceituno, A., Frölich, N. M., Amoah, N. A. B., Grauer, C., Baird, J., Ballnat, C., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., König, B., Pedersen, R. L., Costa, M. M., Manuel-Navarrete, D., Martin, D. A., McGlynn, B., Mehring, M., Mühlthaler, S., Schneider, F., Singer-Brodowski, M., Vilalba, L., Weiser, A. & Lang, D. J., 2025, In: Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research. 38, 4, p. 1482-1518 37 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Wie kann die Nationale Strategie zur biologischen Vielfalt 2030 zu einem transformativen Wandel beitragen?
Zinngrebe, Y., Cardona Santos, E. M., Brand, U., Hauck, J., Hickmann, T., Hagedorn, G., Henn, E. V., Lakner, S., Lam, D. P. M., Mehring, M., Paulsch, A., Schmid, S., Tschersich, J., Zedda, L. & Wittmer, H., 2025, In: Natur und Landschaft. 100, 1, p. 16-25 10 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Zur völker- und verwaltungsrechtlichen Einordnung der zivilen Seenotrettung
Schatz, V. J. & Epik, A., 2025, In: Archiv des Völkerrechts. 62, 4, p. 445-465 21 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research
- 2024
- Published
Transformational ethics to bridge the void between facts and truths
von Wehrden, H. & Wäger, P., 30.12.2024, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 33, 4, p. 333 1 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
Can we represent future generations in myopic democracies? Analyzing the design, feasibility and viability of institutional guardians of future generations
Rose, M., 26.12.2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Policy Studies. 21 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Greene’s dual-process moral psychology and the modularity of mind
Bammel, M., 20.12.2024, In: Philosophical Psychology. 24 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Kommunales Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer Niedersachsen 2024: Eine Erhebung zum Stand von Nachhaltigkeit in niedersächsischen Landkreisen, Städten und Gemeinden
Redenius, P. & Heinrichs, H., 17.12.2024, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 36 p. (Schriftenreihe Nachhaltigkeit, Politik, Gesellschaft; no. 8).Research output: Working paper › Research communication reports › Research
- Published
Methoden zur Anwendbarkeit des Benign by Design Konzepts für die biologische Abbaubarkeit in der Umwelt am Beispiel der ionischen Flüssigkeiten
Amsel, A.-K., 17.12.2024Research output: other publications › Other › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
Students’ Beliefs About Trigger Warnings
Sevincer, A. T., Tenbrueggen, L. & Sokolis, M., 13.12.2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Psychological Reports. 13 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Genome size influences plant growth and biodiversity responses to nutrient fertilization in diverse grassland communities
Morton, J. A., Arnillas, C. A., Biedermann, L., Borer, E. T., Brudvig, L. A., Buckley, Y. M., Cadotte, M. W., Davies, K., Donohue, I., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Estrada, C., Haider, S., Hautier, Y., Jentsch, A., Martinson, H., McCulley, R. L., Raynaud, X., Roscher, C., Seabloom, E. W., Stevens, C. J., Vesela, K., Wallace, A., Leitch, I. J., Leitch, A. R. & Hersch-Green, E. I., 11.12.2024, In: PLoS Biology. 22, 12, 21 p., e3002927.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Sufficiency as relations of enoughness
Hartmann, E., 06.12.2024, In: Sustainable Development. 32, 6, p. 7201-7214 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Orte zum Wohlfühlen: Ein Reiseführer zur kreativen Gestaltung zukunftsfähiger Städte und Gemeinden
Heinrichs, H., Redenius, P. & Hoernemann, D., 05.12.2024, München: Oekom Verlag. 94 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
Failed mobility transition in an ideal setting and implications for building a green city
Andert, M. & Nagel, M., 02.12.2024, In: Npj Climate Action. 3, 1, 15 p., 114.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Applying the Three Horizons approach in local and regional scenarios to support policy coherence in SDG implementation: Insights from arid Spain
López-Rodríguez, M. D., Jiménez-Aceituno, A., Quintas-Soriano, C., Miguel Requena-Mullor, J., Garau, E., Alba-Patiño, D., Otamendi-Urroz, I., Aguiar, A. P. D., Cortés-Calderón, S. & Castro, A. J., 01.12.2024, In: Global Environmental Change. 89, 16 p., 102922.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Effectiveness of a guided multicomponent internet and mobile gratitude training program - A pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Lehr, D., Freund, H., Sieland, B., Kalon, L., Berking, M., Riper, H. & Ebert, D. D., 01.12.2024, In: Internet Interventions. 38, 12 p., 100787.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Investigation of the utilization of oat pomace and acid whey in technical scale succinic acid fermentation including downstream processing
Kleps, C., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Pleißner, D., 01.12.2024, In: Sustainable Chemistry One World. 4, 7 p., 100028.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Self-regulatory thought across time and domains
Sevincer, A. T., Feller, E. & Wallot, S., 01.12.2024, In: Motivation Science. 10, 4, p. 277-289 13 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Advancing sustainable chemistry education: Insights from real-world case studies
Araripe, E. & Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 12.2024, In: Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 9, 10 p., 100436.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
