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

    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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Kollaboratives Forschen und Lernen im Prozess bildungsbezogener Arbeit

    Hantke, H. & Hantsch, R., 2025, In: berufsbildung - Zeitschrift für Theorie-Praxis-Dialog. 1/2025, 205

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  4. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  7. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. 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 anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesTransfer

  9. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. 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. 45

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. 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 contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  17. 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 contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  19. Published
  20. Published
  21. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransferpeer-review

  22. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. 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 contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  24. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. 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/worksChapter

  27. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Accepted/In press

    The Pluralistic Illusion of Gender Inequality

    Sevincer, A. T. & Stoet, G., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychological Reports.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. 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/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  32. 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 anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  33. 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. 8

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  37. 2024
  38. 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 contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  39. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. 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 paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  42. Published
  43. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Sufficiency as relations of enoughness

    Hartmann, E., 06.12.2024, In: Sustainable Development. 32, 6, p. 7201-7214 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. 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 anthologiesBook

  47. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. 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 contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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