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

    Overview of a Proposed Ecological Risk Assessment Process for Honey bees (Apis mellifera) and Non‐Apis Bees

    Steeger, T., Alix, A., Moriarty, T., Fischer, D. L., Fischer, R., Brittain, C., Johnson, R. M., Johansen, E., Streissel, F., Miles, M. M., Lee-Steere, C. & Fry, M., 14.07.2014, Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators. Fischer, D. & Moriarty, T. (eds.). Wiley Online Library, p. 121-148 28 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  3. Published

    Overview of Non-Apis Bees

    Vaughan, M., Vaissière, B., Maynard, G., Kasina, M., Nocelli, R. C. F., Scott-Dupree, C., Johansen, E., Brittain, C., Coulson, M. & Dinter, A., 14.07.2014, Pesticide Risk Assessment for Pollinators. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, p. 5-18 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    A unique nest-protection strategy in a new species of spider wasp

    Staab, M., Ohl, M., Zhu, C.-D. & Klein, A.-M., 02.07.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 7, 8 p., e101592.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    The Potential of IT for Corporate Sustainability

    Hack, S. & Berg, C., 02.07.2014, In: Sustainability. 6, 7, p. 4163-4180 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    A systematic multi-step screening of numerous salt hydrates for low temperature thermochemical energy storage

    N'Tsoukpoe, K. E., Schmidt, T., Rammelberg, H. U., Watts, B. A. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.07.2014, In: Applied Energy. 124, p. 1-16 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Emissions of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane from Chicago

    Buser, A. M., Bogdal, C., MacLeod, M. & Scheringer, M., 01.07.2014, In: Chemosphere. 107, p. 473-475 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Food packaging and migration of food contact materials: will epidemiologists rise to the neotoxic challenge?

    Muncke, J., Myers, J. P., Scheringer, M. & Porta, M., 01.07.2014, In: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 68, 7, p. 592-594 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Key Competencies for and beyond Sustainable Consumption: An Educational Contribution to the Debate

    Fischer, D. & Barth, M., 01.07.2014, In: GAIA. 23, S1, p. 193-200 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Delivering community benefits through REDD plus : Lessons from Joint Forest Management in Zambia

    Leventon, J., Kalaba, F. K., Dyer, J. C., Stringer, L. C. & Dougill, A. J., 07.2014, In: Forest Policy and Economics. 44, p. 10-17 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Determinants and interactions of sustainability and risk management of commercial cattle farmers in Namibia

    Ingenillem, J., Merz, J. & Baumgärtner, S., 07.2014, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 72 p. (University of Lüneburg Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 304).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  12. Published

    Ecosystem services as a boundary object for sustainability

    Abson, D., von Wehrden, H., Baumgärtner, S., Fischer, J., Hanspach, J., Härdtle, W., Heinrichs, H., Klein, A.-M., Lang, D. J., Martens, P. & Walmsley, D., 07.2014, In: Ecological Economics. 103, 7, p. 29-37 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Experience from downscaling IPCC-SRES scenarios to specific national-level focus scenarios for ecosystem service management

    Walz, A., Braendle, J. M., Lang, D. J., Brand, F., Briner, S., Elkin, C., Hirschi, C., Huber, R., Lischke, H. & Schmatz, D. R., 07.2014, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 86, p. 21-32 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Interdependencies between Biotic and Abiotic Ferrous Iron Oxidation and Influence of pH, Oxygen and Ferric Iron Deposits

    Eggerichs, T., Opel, O., Otte, T. & Ruck, W., 07.2014, In: Geomicrobiology Journal. 31, 6, p. 461-472 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Realigning the land-sharing/land-sparing debate to match conservation needs: considering diversity scales and land-use history

    von Wehrden, H., Abson, D. J., Beckmann, M., Cord, A. F., Klotz, S. & Seppelt, R., 07.2014, In: Landscape Ecology. 29, 6, p. 941-948 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Reining in rascal geographies of neoliberalism in the periphery?

    Challies, E., 07.2014, In: Dialogues in Human Geography. 4, 2, p. 131-136 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  17. Published

    The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress - can u shape it?

    Peifer, C., Schulz, A., Schächinger, H., Baumann, N. & Antoni, C. H., 07.2014, In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 53, p. 62-69 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published
  19. Published

    What role for social-ecological systems research in governing global teleconnections?

    Challies, E., Newig, J. & Lenschow, A., 07.2014, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 27, 1, p. 32-40 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Monitoring of methotrexate chlorination in water

    Roig, B., Marquenet, B., Delpla, I., Bessonneau, V., Sellier, A., Leder, C., Thomas, O., Bolek, R. & Kummerer, K., 15.06.2014, In: Water Research. 57, p. 67-75 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    The Agrodiversity Experiment: three years of data from a multisite study in intensively managed grasslands Ecological Archives

    Kirwan, L., Connolly, J., Brophy, C., Baadshaug, O., Belanger, G., Black, A., Carnus, T., Collins, R., Cop, J., Delgado, I., de Vliegher, A., Elgersma, A., Frankow-Lindberg, B., Golinski, P., Grieu, P., Gustavsson, A.-M., Helgadottir, A., Höglind, M., Huguenin-Elie, O., Jorgensen, M., Kadziuliene, Z., Lunnan, T., Lüscher, A., Kurki, P., Porqueddu, C., Sebastia, M.-T., Thumm, U., Walmsley, D. & Finn, J., 11.06.2014, In: Ecology. 95, 9, p. 2680 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Numerical responses of saproxylic beetles to rapid increases in dead wood availability following geometrid moth outbreaks in sub-arctic mountain birch forest

    Vindstad, O. P. L., Schultze, S., Jepsen, J. U., Biuw, M., Kapari, L., Sverdrup-Thygeson, A. & Ims, R. A., 09.06.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 6, 13 p., e99624.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    A Voxel-based technique to estimate the volume of trees from terrestrial laser scanner data

    Bienert, A., Hess, C., Maas, H. G. & Von Oheimb, G., 05.06.2014, In: International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives. 40, 5, p. 101-106 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Fate of phenothiazine pharmaceuticals during Fenton process: experimental design optimization, assessment of transformation products and ready biodegradability

    Wilde, M. L. & Kümmerer, K., 04.06.2014, Abstract book of the 2nd international conference on recycling and reuse: June 4-6, 2014-İstanbul/ Türkiye. Bekbölet, M., Selcuk, H., Kavurmaci, S. S., Aydin, I., Yüzer, B. & Yigit Hunce, S. (eds.). Boğaziçi University Press, p. 103-104 2 p.

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

  25. Published

    Qualitative environmental risk assessment of photolytic transformation products of iodinated X-ray contrast agent diatrizoic acid

    Rastogi, T., Leder, C. & Kümmerer, K., 01.06.2014, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 482-483, 1, p. 378-388 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Assessing tree dendrometrics in young regenerating plantations using terrestrial laser scanning

    Li, Y., Hess, C., von Wehrden, H., Härdtle, W. & Oheimb, G., 06.2014, In: Annals of Forest Science. 71, 4, p. 453-462 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Franchising as a Strategy for Combining Small and Large Group Advantages (Logics) in Social Entrepreneurship: A Hayekian Perspective

    Beckmann, M. & Zeyen, A., 06.2014, In: Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 43, 3, p. 502-522 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Improving Flood Forecasting in a Developing Country: A Comparative Study of Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression and Artificial Neural Network

    Latt, Z. Z. & Wittenberg, H., 06.2014, In: Water Resources Management. 28, 8, p. 2109-2128 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Lobbying the ‘Energiewende’: Assessing the effectiveness of strategies to promote the renewable energy business in Germany

    Sühlsen, K. & Hisschemöller, M., 06.2014, In: Energy Policy. 69, p. 316-325 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Method for the determination of specific molecular markers of biomass burning in lake sediments

    Kirchgeorg, T., Schüpbach, S., Kehrwald, N., McWethy, D. B. & Barbante, C., 06.2014, In: Organic Geochemistry. 71, p. 1-6 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Monitoring of microbially mediated corrosion and scaling processes using redox potential measurements

    Opel, O., Eggerichs, T., Otte, T. & Ruck, W., 06.2014, In: Bioelectrochemistry. 97, Special Issue, p. 137-144 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    The impact of nuclear accidents on provisioning ecosystem services

    Gralla, F., Abson, D., Moller, A. P., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2014, In: Ecological Indicators. 41, p. 1-14 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Tree Species Traits but Not Diversity Mitigate Stem Breakage in a Subtropical Forest following a Rare and Extreme Ice Storm

    Nadrowski, K., Pietsch, K., Baruffol, M., Both, S., Gutknecht, J., Bruelheide, H., Heklau, H., Kahl, A., Kahl, T., Niklaus, P. A., Kröber, W., Liu, X., Mi, X., Michalski, S. G., Oheimb, G., Purschke, O., Schmid, B., Fang, T., Welk, E. & Wirth, C., 30.05.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 5, 7 p., e96022.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    The Right to Liberty and Security, Public Health and Disease Control

    Sanden, J. & Bachmann, S. D., 22.05.2014, SSRN Social Science Research Network, 28 p. (Social Science Research Network).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  35. Published

    Involving Corporate Functions: Who Contributes to Sustainable Development?

    Schaltegger, S., Harms, D., Windolph, S. E. & Hörisch, J., 19.05.2014, In: Sustainability. 6, 5, p. 3064-3085 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Do persistent organic pollutants reach a thermodynamic equilibrium in the global environment?

    Schenker, S., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 06.05.2014, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 48, 9, p. 5017-5024 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Measuring and Managing Sustainability Performance of Supply Chains: Review and Sustainability Supply Chain Management Framework

    Schaltegger, S. & Burritt, R., 06.05.2014, In: Supply Chain Management. 19, 3, p. 232-241 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    "Sustainability State” in the Making? Institutionalization of Sustainability in German Federal Policy Making

    Heinrichs, H. & Laws, N., 05.05.2014, In: Sustainability. 6, 5, p. 2623-2641 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Das Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz 2.0

    Schomerus, T., 02.05.2014, In: Unsere Wirtschaft. 46, 5, p. 44-45 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  40. Published

    Assessing participatory practices in community-based natural resource management: Experiences in community engagement from southern Africa

    Dyer, J., Stringer, L. C., Dougill, A. J., Leventon, J., Nshimbi, M., Chama, F., Kafwifwi, A., Muledi, J. I., Kaumbu, J. M. K., Falcao, M., Muhorro, S., Munyemba, F., Kalaba, G. M. & Syampungani, S., 01.05.2014, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 137, p. 137-145 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Brown bear activity in traditional wood-pastures in Southern Transylvania, Romania

    Röllig, M., Dorresteijn, I., von Wehrden, H., Hartel, T. & Fischer, J., 01.05.2014, In: Ursus. 25, 1, p. 44-52 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Cross-level Information and Influence in Mandated Participatory Planning: Alternative Pathways to Sustainable Water Management in Germany’s Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive

    Koontz, T. M. & Newig, J., 01.05.2014, In: Land Use Policy. 38, p. 594–604 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    “€14,875?!”: Precision boosts the anchoring potency of first offers

    Loschelder, D. D., Stuppi, J. & Trötschel, R., 05.2014, In: Social Psychological and Personality Science. 5, 4, p. 491-499 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Carabids.org – a dynamic online database of ground beetle species traits (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

    Homburg, K., Homburg, N., Schäfer, F., Schuldt, A. & Aßmann, T., 05.2014, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 7, 3, p. 195-205 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Ecological impacts of oil palm agriculture on forest mammals in plantation estates and smallholdings

    Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J. T., Fischer, J. & Zakaria, M., 05.2014, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 23, 5, p. 1175-1191 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Electrooxidation Combined with Ozonation in Hospital Laundry Effluents Treatment

    Lutterbeck, C. A., de Oliveira Schwaickhardt, R., Straatmann, A., Kist, L. T., Lobo, E. A. & Machado, Ê. L., 05.2014, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 42, 5, p. 601-608 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Forschung für nachhaltige entwicklungen

    Grießhammer, R., Bergmann, M. & Betker, F., 05.2014, In: GAIA. 23, 2, p. 129 - 131 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  48. Published

    Functional and phylogenetic diversity of woody plants drive herbivory in a highly diverse forest

    Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T., Bruelheide, H., Durka, W., Eichenberg, D., Härdtle, W., Kröber, W., Michalski, S. G. & Purschke, O., 05.2014, In: New Phytologist. 202, 3, p. 864-873 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Germany – Europe –World 2042: A Transformative Longitudinal Study

    Bergmann, M., Burandt, S., Heinrichs, H., Kümmerer, K. & Lang, D. J., 05.2014, In: GAIA. 23, 2, p. 132-134 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Habitat suitability models in conservation planning – a short introduction

    Dieker, P., Taboada Palomares, A. & von Wehrden, H., 05.2014, Jewels in the Mist: A synopsis on the highly endangered butterfly species the Violet Copper, Lycaena helle. Habel, J. C., Meyer, M. & Schmitt, T. (eds.). Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd., p. 57-65 9 p.

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

  51. Published

    Jugendliche im Web 2.0: Risiken und Chancen

    von Salisch, M., 05.2014, In: Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie. 63, 5, p. 338-342 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review