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. 2014
  2. Published

    The Role of Assessment and Quality Management in Transformations towards Sustainable Development: The Nexus between Higher Education, Society and Policy

    Mader, C., 11.2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Transformation of Learning and Society . Fadeeva, Z., Galkute , L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 66-83 18 p. 4. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Spillover of trap-nesting bees and wasps in an urban-rural interface

    Pereira-Peixoto, M. H., Pufal, G., Martins, C. F. & Klein, A. M., 31.10.2014, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 18, 5, p. 815-826 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Implementing Corporate Sustainability: What drives the Application of Sustainability Management Tools in Germany?

    Windolph, S. E., Schaltegger, S. & Herzig, C., 28.10.2014, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 5, 4, p. 378-404 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Action, research and participation: roles of researchers in sustainability transitions

    Wittmayer, J. M. & Schäpke, N., 24.10.2014, In: Sustainability Science. 9, 4, p. 483-496 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Cross-pollination benefits differ among oilseed rape varieties

    Hudewenz, A., Pufal, G., Bögeholz, A.-L. & Klein, A.-M., 14.10.2014, In: The Journal of Agricultural Science. 152, 5, p. 770-778 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Influence of Different Biogenic Fuels on Base Oil Aging

    Singer, A., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 13.10.2014, In: SAE Technical Papers. 2014, 7 p., 2014-01-2788.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Resilienz und Reallabore als Schlüsselkonzepte urbaner Transitionsforschung: Zwölf Thesen

    De Flander, K., Hahne, U., Kegler, H., Lang, D. J., Lucas, R., Schneidewind, U., Simon, K.-H., Singer-Brodowski, M., Wanner, M. & Wiek, A., 10.10.2014, In: GAIA. 23, 3, p. 284-286 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Making sense of sustainability transitions locally: how action research contributes to addressing societal challenges

    Wittmayer, J. M., Schäpke, N., van Steenbergen, F. & Omann, I., 02.10.2014, In: Critical Policy Studies. 8, 4, p. 465-485 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Emerging risks from ballast water treatment: The run-up to the International Ballast Water Management Convention

    Werschkun, B., Banerji, S., Basurko, O. C., David, M., Fuhr, F., Gollasch, S., Grummt, T., Haarich, M., Jha, A. N., Kacan, S., Kehrer, A., Linders, J., Mesbahi, E., Pughiuc, D., Richardson, S. D., Schwarz-Schulz, B., Shah, A., Theobald, N., von Gunten, U., Wieck, S. & Höfer, T., 01.10.2014, In: Chemosphere. 112, p. 256-266 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  12. Published
  13. Published

    Comparative performance of incidence-based estimators of species richness in temperate zone herpetofauna inventories

    Bǎncilǎ, R. I., Cogǎlniceanu, D., Plǎiaşu, R., Tudor, M., Cazacu, C. & Hartel, T., 10.2014, In: Ecological Indicators. 45, p. 219-226 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Effects of grassland management, endophytic fungi and predators on aphid abundance in two distinct regions

    Börschig, C., Klein, A.-M. & Krauss, J., 10.2014, In: Journal of Plant Ecology. 7, 5, p. 490-498 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Recycling of food waste as nutrients in Chlorella vulgaris cultivation

    Lau, K. Y., Pleissner, D. & Lin, C. S. K., 10.2014, In: Bioresource Technology. 170, p. 144-151 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Tree diversity promotes predator but not omnivore ants in a subtropical Chinese forest

    Staab, M., Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T. & Klein, A.-M., 10.2014, In: Ecological Entomology. 39, 5, p. 637-647 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Rational Socially Responsible Investment

    Peylo, B. T., 30.09.2014, In: Corporate Governance. 14, 5, p. 699-713 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Solution for spillway chute aeration through bottom aerators

    Fuhrhop, H., Schulz, H. E. & Wittenberg, H., 30.09.2014, In: International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements. 2, 3, p. 298-312 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Using ecological and life-history characteristics for projecting species' responses to climate change

    Pompe, S., Hanspach, J., Badeck, F.-W., Klotz, S., Bruelheide, H. & Kühn, I., 30.09.2014, In: Frontiers of Biogeography . 6, 3, p. 119-131 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Heteroaggregation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with model natural colloids under environmentally relevant conditions

    Praetorius, A., Labille, J., Scheringer, M., Thill, A., Hungerbühler, K. & Bottero, J.-Y., 16.09.2014, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 48, 18, p. 10690-10698 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Ecotoxicological evaluation of selected anticancer drugs

    Lutterbeck, C., Kern, D. I., Machado, Ê. L. & Kümmerer, K., 10.09.2014, In: Toxicology Letters. 229, Supplement, p. S71-S72 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Evaluation of the effects of four cytotoxic compounds against plant seedlings

    Lutterbeck, C., Kern, D. I., Machado, Ê. L. & Kümmerer, K., 10.09.2014, In: Toxicology Letters. 229, Supplement, p. S71-S71 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Pflege von Heidelandschaften

    Härdtle, W. & Oheimb, G., 10.09.2014, Re-Naturierung: Gesellschaft im Einklang mit der Natur. 1 ed. Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, p. 56-61 6 p. (Jahrbuch Ökologie; vol. 2015).

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

  24. Published

    Biofuel Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Review of recent Experiences and Future Prospects

    Bailis, R., Solomon, B. D., Moser, C. & Hildebrandt, T., 03.09.2014, In: Biofuels. 5, 5, p. 469-485 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Comparing measured and modelled PFOS concentrations in a UK freshwater catchment and estimating emission rates

    Earnshaw, M. R., Paul, A. G., Loos, R., Tavazzi, S., Paracchini, B., Scheringer, M., Hungerbühler, K., Jones, K. C. & Sweetman, A. J., 01.09.2014, In: Environmental international. 70, p. 25-31 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Designing green derivatives of β-blocker Metoprolol: A tiered approach for green and sustainable pharmacy and chemistry

    Rastogi, T., Leder, C. & Kümmerer, K., 01.09.2014, In: Chemosphere. 111, p. 493-499 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Estimation of physicochemical properties of 52 non-PBDE brominated flame retardants and evaluation of their overall persistence and long-range transport potential

    Kuramochi, H., Takigami, H., Scheringer, M. & Sakai, S.-I., 01.09.2014, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 491-492, 9, p. 108-117 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Non-native tree species (Pseudotsuga menziesii) strongly decreases predator biomass and abundance in mixed-species plantations of a tree diversity experiment

    Schuldt, A. & Scherer-Lorenzen, M., 01.09.2014, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 327, 1, p. 10-17 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Site and neighborhood effects on growth of tree saplings in subtropical plantations (China).

    Li, Y., Härdtle, W., Bruehlheide, H., Nadrowski, K., Scholten, T., von Wehrden, H. & Oheimb, G., 01.09.2014, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 327, p. 118-127 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published
  31. Published

    Occurrence of the antidiabetic drug Metformin and its ultimate transformation product Guanylurea in several compartments of the aquatic cycle

    Trautwein, C., Berset, J.-D., Wolschke, H. & Kümmerer, K., 09.2014, In: Environmental international. 70, p. 203-212 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Woody plant phylogenetic diversity mediates bottom-up control of arthropod biomass in species-rich forests

    Schuldt, A., Baruffol, M., Bruelheide, H., Chen, S., Chi, X., Wall, M. & Aßmann, T., 09.2014, In: Oecologia. 176, 1, p. 171-182 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Environmental side effects of pharmaceutical cocktails: What we know and what we should know

    Vasquez, M. I., Lambrianides, A., Schneider, M., Kümmerer, K. & Fatta-Kassinos, D., 30.08.2014, In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. 279, p. 169-189 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  34. Published

    Organizational Transformation and Higher Sustainability Management Education. The case of the MBA Sustainability Management

    Lee, K.-H. & Schaltegger, S., 26.08.2014, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 15, 4, p. 450-472 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Barley (Hordeum distichon L.) roots produce volatile aldehydes derived from the lipoxygenase/hydroperoxide lyase pathway with a strong age-dependent pattern

    Delory, B., Delaplace, P., du Jardin, P. & Fauconnier, M.-L., 13.08.2014, 53rd Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America: Aug. 9-13, 2014. North Carolina State University, p. 56 1 p.

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

  36. Published

    Die EU-Holzhandelsverordnung: Ein wirksames Instrument zur Bekämpfung des illegalen Holzhandels?

    Sieveking, A., 12.08.2014, In: Natur und Recht. 36, 8 , p. 542-548 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Personal norms of sustainability and farm management behavior

    Olbrich, R., Quaas, M. F. & Baumgärtner, S., 06.08.2014, In: Sustainability. 6, 8, p. 4990-5017 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Global emission inventories for C4-C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA) homologues from 1951 to 2030, part II: the remaining pieces of the puzzle

    Wang, Z., Cousins, I. T., Scheringer, M., Buck, R. C. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.08.2014, In: Environmental international. 69, p. 166-176 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Auf dem Weg zum Nachhaltigkeitsstaat? Die Möglichkeiten langfristigen staatlichen Handelns am Beispiel Biodiversitätspolitik

    Heinrichs, H., Laws, N. & Mitlacher, G., 08.2014, In: Umwelt Aktuell. 8/9, p. 2-3 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  40. Published

    Bird communities in traditional wood-pastures with changing management in Eastern Europe

    Hartel, T., Hanspach, J., Abson, D. J., Máthé, O., Moga, C. I. & Fischer, J., 08.2014, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 15, 5, p. 385–395 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    From Planning to Implementation: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches for Collaborative Watershed Management

    Koontz, T. M. & Newig, J., 08.2014, In: Policy Studies Journal. 42, 3, p. 416-442 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Human-carnivore coexistence in a traditional rural landscape

    Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Kecskés, A., Latková, H., Mezey, Z., Sugár, S., von Wehrden, H. & Fischer, J., 08.2014, In: Landscape Ecology. 29, 7, p. 1145-1155 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    River flow regime and snow cover of the Pamir Alay (Central Asia) in a changing climate

    Chevallier, P., Pouyaud, B., Mojaisky, M., Bolgov, M., Olsson, O., Bauer, M. & Froebrich, J., 08.2014, In: Hydrological Sciences Journal. 59, 8, p. 1491-1506 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Temperature regimes and aphid density interactions differentially influence VOC emissions in Arabidopsis

    Truong, D. H., Delory, B. M., Vanderplanck, M., Brostaux, Y., Vandereycken, A., Heuskin, S., Delaplace, P., Francis, F. & Lognay, G., 08.2014, In: Arthropod-Plant Interactions : an international journal devoted to studies on interactions of insects, mites and other anthropods with plants. 8, 4, p. 317-327 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Modifying Our Society With Law: The Case of EU Renewable Energy Law

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 25.07.2014, In: Climate Law. 4, 1-2, p. 131-139 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  46. Published

    Low-intensity agricultural landscapes in Transylvania support high butterfly diversity: Implications for conservation

    Loos, J., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Fust, P., Rakosy, L. & Fischer, J., 24.07.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 7, 11 p., e103256.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    High trees increase sunflower seed predation by birds in an agricultural landscape of Israel

    Schäckermann, J., Weiss, N., von Wehrden, H. & Klein, A. M., 16.07.2014, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 2, 9 p., 35.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Polychlorinated biphenyls in glaciers: 2. Model results of deposition and incorporation processes

    Steinlin, C., Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M., Pavlova, P. A., Schwikowski, M., Schmid, P. & Hungerbühler, K., 15.07.2014, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 48, 14, p. 7849-7857 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Assessing Effects Through Laboratory Toxicity Testing

    Frazier, J., Pflugfleder, J., Aupinel, P., Decourtye, A., Ellis, J., Scott-Dupree, C., Huang, Z., Thompson, H., Bachman, P., Dinter, A., Vaughan, M., Vaissière, B., Maynard, G., Kasina, M., Johansen, E., Brittain, C., Coulson, M. & Nocelli, R. C. F., 14.07.2014, Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators. Fischer, D. & Moriarty, T. (eds.). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, p. 75-94 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  50. Published

    Assessing Effects Through Semi-Field and Field Toxicity Testing

    Pettis, J., Tornier, I., Clook, M., Wallner, K., Vaissiere, B., Stadler, T., Hou, W., Maynard, G., Becker, R., Coulson, M., Jourdan, P., Vaughan, M., Nocelli, R. C. F., Scott-Dupree, C., Johansen, E., Brittain, C., Dinter, A. & Kasina, M., 14.07.2014, Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators. Fischer, D. & Moriarty, T. (eds.). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, p. 95-119 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  51. Published

    Assessing Exposure of Pesticides to Bees

    Wisk, J., Pistorius, J., Beevers, M., Bireley, R., Browning, Z., Chauzat, M. P., Nikolakis, A., Overmyer, J., Rose, R., Sebastien, R., Vaissière, B., Maynard, G., Kasina, M., Nocelli, R. C. F., Scott-Dupree, C., Johansen, E., Brittain, C., Coulson, M., Dinter, A. & Vaughan, M., 14.07.2014, Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators. Fischer, D. & Moriarty, T. (eds.). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, p. 45-74 30 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review