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. 2013
  2. Published

    EduCamp - Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in Ägypten

    Mader, M., Sewilam, H. & Mader, C., 05.2013, Bildung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Jahrbuch 2013. F. U. F. N. E. (ed.). Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 139-145 7 p.

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

  3. Published

    Land use changes and ground dwelling beetle conservation in extensive grazing dehesa systems of north-west Spain

    Garcia-Tejero, S., Taboada Palomares, A., Tarrega, R. & Salgado, J. M., 05.2013, In: Biological Conservation. 161, p. 58-66 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Managing invasive species amidst high uncertainty and novelty

    Larson, B. M. H., Kueffer, C., the ZiF Working Group on Ecological Novelty & Klein, A.-M., 05.2013, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 28, 5, p. 255-256 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  5. Published

    Scale-dependent diversity patterns affect spider assemblages of two contrasting forest ecosystems

    Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T. & Schaefer, M., 05.2013, In: Acta Oecologica. 49, p. 17-22 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Transdisciplinarity in Corporate Sustainability: Mapping the Field

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hansen, E. G., 05.2013, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 22, 4, p. 219-229 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Worldwide distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants in air, including results of air monitoring by passive air sampling in five continents

    Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M., Abad, E., Abalos, M., van Bavel, B., Hagberg, J. & Fiedler, H., 05.2013, In: Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 46, p. 150-161 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Produktive Funktionen von Kollaps und Zerstörung für gesellschaftliche Transformationsprozesse in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit

    Newig, J. & Balsam, R., 29.04.2013, Soziale Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit: Perspektiven sozialen Wandels. Rückert-John, J. (ed.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 133-149 17 p. (Innovation und Gesellschaft).

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

  9. Published

    Chronic ecotoxic effects to Pseudomonas putida and Vibrio fischeri, and cytostatic and genotoxic effects to the hepatoma cell line (HepG2) of ofloxacin photo(cata)lytically treated solutions

    Vasquez, M., Garcia-Käufer, M., Hapeshi, E., Menz, J., Kostarelos, K., Fatta-Kassinos, D. & Kümmerer, K., 15.04.2013, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 450-451, p. 356-365 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The Upcycle: Beyond sustainability Designing for abundance

    Braungart, M. & McDonough, W., 13.04.2013, New York : North Point Press. 227 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  11. Published

    Medien und klimabewusstes Verhalten: Die Bedeutung des Fernsehens für ein nachhaltiges Alltagshandeln bei Jugendlichen

    Lüdecke, G., 04.04.2013, München: Oekom Verlag. 287 p. (Hochschulschriften zur Nachhaltigkeit; vol. 58)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Multiple Glacial Refugia of the Low-Dispersal Ground Beetle Carabus irregularis: Molecular Data Support Predictions of Species Distribution Models

    Homburg, K., Drees, C., Gossner, M. M., Rakosy, L., Vrezec, A. & Aßmann, T., 04.04.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 4, 12 p., e61185.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published
  14. Published

    The influence of agricultural system, stand structural complexity and landscape context on foraging birds in oil palm landscapes

    Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J., Manning, A., McElhinny, C., Zakaria, M. & Fischer, J., 01.04.2013, In: Ibis. 155, 2, p. 297-312 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    A Global Classroom for International Sustainability Education

    Wiek, A., Bernstein, M. J., Laubichler, M., Minteer, B., Lang, D. J. & Caniglia, G., 04.2013, In: Creative Education. 4, 4A, p. 19 - 28 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Allele elimination recalculated: nested subset analyses for molecular biogeographical data

    Habel, J. C., Ulrich, W. & Aßmann, T., 04.2013, In: Journal of Biogeography. 40, 4, p. 769-777 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Business Models for Sustainable Innovation: State-of-the-Art and Steps Towards a Research Agenda

    Boons, F. A. A. & Lüdeke-Freund, F., 04.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 45, p. 9-19 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Collaboration between the natural, social and human sciences in Global Change Research

    Holm, P., Goodsite, M. E., Cloetingh, S. A. P. L., Agnoletti, M., Moldan, B., Lang, D. J., Leemans, R., Moeller, J. O., Buendía, M. P., Pohl, W., Scholz, R. W., Sors, A., Vanheusden, B., Yusoff, K. & Zondervan, R., 04.2013, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 28, Special Issue, p. 25-35 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Environmental Protection of Foreign Firms in Germany: Does the country of origin matter?

    Weche Gelübcke, J. P. & Wedl, I., 04.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 39 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 267).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  20. Published

    Lipids in preventive dentistry

    Kensche, A., Reich, M., Kümmerer, K., Hannig, M. & Hannig, C., 04.2013, In: Clinical Oral Investigations. 17, 3, p. 669-685 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  21. Published

    Many roads lead to sustainability: A process-oriented analysis of change in higher education

    Barth, M., 04.2013, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 14, 2, p. 160-175 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  22. Published

    US agricultural sector analysis on pesticide externalities – the impact of climate change and a Pigovian tax

    Shakhramanyan, N. G., Schneider, U. A. & McCarl, B. A., 04.2013, In: Climatic Change. 117, 4, p. 711-723 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published
  24. Published

    Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance

    Garibaldi, L. A., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Winfree, R., Aizen, M. A., Bommarco, R., Cunningham, S. A., Kremen, C., Carvalheiro, L. G., Harder, L. D., Afik, O., Bartomeus, I., Benjamin, F., Boreux, V., Cariveau, D., Chacoff, N. P., Dudenhöffer, J. H., Freitas, B. M., Ghazoul, J., Greenleaf, S., Hipólito, J., Holzschuh, A., Howlett, B., Isaacs, R., Javorek, S. K., Kennedy, C. M., Krewenka, K. M., Krishnan, S., Mandelik, Y., Mayfield, M. M., Motzke, I., Munyuli, T., Nault, B. A., Otieno, M., Petersen, J., Pisanty, G., Potts, S. G., Rader, R., Ricketts, T. H., Rundlöf, M., Seymour, C. L., Schüepp, C., Szentgyörgyi, H., Taki, H., Tscharntke, T., Vergara, C. H., Viana, B. F., Wanger, T. C., Westphal, C., Williams, N. & Klein, A. M., 29.03.2013, In: Science. 340, 6127, p. 1608-1611 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Policy schemes, operational strategies and system integration of residential co-generation fuel cells.

    Pade, L.-L., Schröder, S. T., Münster, M., Birkl, C., Ropenus, S., Morthorst, P. E., Obé, E., Kötter, E., Huber, A., Costa , A. & Kroff , P., 07.03.2013, In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 38, 7, p. 3050–3063 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Synergistic effects of non-Apis bees and honey bees for pollination services

    Brittain, C., Williams, N., Kremen, C. & Klein, A.-M., 07.03.2013, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 280, 1754, p. 2012-2767 7 p., 20122767.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Die Entwicklung des deutschen Umweltrechts seit 1945

    Sanden, J., 01.03.2013, Umweltpolitik und Umweltrecht in Deutschland und Südkorea. Eschborn, N. (ed.). Seoul: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung , p. 29-140 112 p.

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

  28. Published

    Social Entrepreneurship and Broader Theories: Shedding New Light on the “Bigger Picture”

    Zeyen, A., Beckmann, M., Mueller, S., Dees, J. G., Khanin, D., Krueger, N., Murphy, P. J., Santos, F., Scarlata,, M., Walske, J. & Zacharakis, A., 01.03.2013, In: Journal of Social Entrepreneurship. 4, 1, p. 88-107 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Biodegradation potential of ofloxacin and its resulting transformation products during photolytic and photocatalytic treatment

    Vasquez, M., Hapeshi, E., Fatta-Kassinos, D. & Kümmerer, K., 03.2013, In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 20, 3, p. 1302-1309 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Comparison of an Electrochemical and Luminescence-Based Oxygen Measuring System for Use in the Biodegradability Testing According to Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D)

    Friedrich, J., Längin, A. & Kümmerer, K., 03.2013, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 41, 3, p. 251-257 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Do edible oils reduce bacterial colonization of enamel in situ ?

    Hannig, C., Kirsch, J., Al-Ahmad, A., Kensche, A., Hannig, M. & Kümmerer, K., 03.2013, In: Clinical Oral Investigations. 17, 2, p. 649-658 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    The influence of native versus exotic streetscape vegetation on the spatial distribution of birds in suburbs and reserves

    Ikin, K., Knight, E., Lindenmayer, D. B., Fischer, J. & Manning, A. D., 03.2013, In: Diversity and Distributions. 19, 3, p. 294-306 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Trace Metal Dynamics in Floodplain Soils of the River Elbe: A Review (vol 38, pg 1349): A review

    Schulz-Zunke, C. & Krueger, F., 03.2013, In: Journal of Environmental Quality. 42, 2, p. 622-622 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  34. Published

    Woody vegetation of a Peruvian tropical dry forest along a climatic gradient depends more on soil than annual precipitation

    Muenchow, J., von Wehrden, H., Rodriguez, E. F., Rodríguez, R. A., Bayer, F. & Richter, M., 03.2013, In: Erdkunde. 67, 3, p. 241-248 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Model choice and size distribution: a Bayequentist approach

    Engler, J.-O. & Baumgärtner, S., 28.02.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 34 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 265).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  36. Published

    The issue of micropollutants in urban water management

    Kümmerer, K., 28.02.2013, Source Separation and Decentralization for Wastewater Management. Larsen, T. A., Udert, K. M. & Lienert, J. (eds.). London: IWA Publishing, p. 71-84 15 p.

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

  37. Published

    Comparative analysis of public environmental decision-making processes: A variable-based analytical scheme

    Newig, J., Adzersen, A., Challies, E., Fritsch, O. & Jager, N. W., 20.02.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Umweltkommunikation der Universität Lüneburg, 65 p. (INFU Discussion Paper; no. 37).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  38. Published

    Die Bedeutung der Privilegierung nach § 35 BauGB für die Finanzierung von Biogasanlagen

    Maly, C., 14.02.2013, 1 ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 107 p. (Lüneburger Schriften zum Wirtschaftsrecht; no. 26)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  39. Published

    The exotic shrub Rosa rubiginosa as a nurse plant: Implications for the restoration of disturbed temperate forests in Patagonia

    Svriz, M., Damascos, M., Zimmermann, H. & Hensen, I., 01.02.2013, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 289, Februar, p. 234-242 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    The Future We Want: A Global Expert Discussion on the Future of Rio+20 Efforts on Higher Education

    Rowland, P., Carteron, J., Denby, L., Klepper, A., Mader, C., Sjerps-Jones, H., Smith, K. & Tilbury, D., 01.02.2013, In: Sustainability: The Journal of Record. 6, 1, p. 42-47 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  41. Published

    Biodegradability and genotoxicity of surface functionalized colloidal silica (SiO2) particles in the aquatic environment

    Schneider, M., Meder, F., Daberkow, T., Haiß, A., Treccani, L., Rezwan, K. & Kümmerer, K., 02.2013, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie e.V. : Abstracts of the 7 th Annual Meeting March 5 – 7, 2013 Halle/Saale, Germany. 1 ed. Springer Verlag, Vol. 386. p. 73 - 73 1 p. (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg´s Archives of Pharamcology; vol. 386, no. 1, Supplement).

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

  42. Published

    Biodiversity buffers pollination from changes in environmental conditions

    Brittain, C., Kremen, C. & Klein, A.-M., 02.2013, In: Global Change Biology. 19, 2, p. 540-547 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Broad-scale geographic patterns in body size and hind wing development of western Palaearctic carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

    Homburg, K., Schuldt, A., Drees, C. & Aßmann, T., 02.2013, In: Ecography. 36, 2, p. 166-177 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Characterizing and evaluating successional pathways of fen degradation and restoration

    Schrautzer, J., Sival, F., Breuer, M., Runhaar, H. & Fichtner, A., 02.2013, In: Ecological Indicators. 25, p. 108-120 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Fate of Pesticides and Their Transformation Products: First Flush Effects in a Semi-Arid Catchment

    Olsson, O., Khodorkovsky, M., Gassmann, M., Friedler, E., Schneider, M. & Dubowski, Y., 02.2013, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 41, 2, p. 134-142 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Fat or lean: adjustment of endogenous energy stores to predictable and unpredictable changes in allostatic load

    Schultner, J., Kitaysky, A. S., Welcker, J. & Hatch, S., 02.2013, In: Functional Ecology. 27, 1, p. 45-55 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published
  48. Published

    Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater salinization in the Bangkok aquifer system, Thailand

    Babel, M. S., Gupta, A. D., Rivas, A. A., Evers, M., Kazama, F., Nakamura, T. & Stoecker, F., 02.2013, In: Environmental Earth Sciences . 68, 3, p. 749-763 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Low genetic diversity of a high mountain burnet moth species in the Pyrenees

    Dieker, P., Drees, C., Schmitt, T. & Aßmann, T., 02.2013, In: Conservation Genetics. 14, 1, p. 231-236 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Vorbereitung zur Wiederverwendung: Regelung und Regelungsbedarf - Umsetzungs- und Erfolgsaussichten

    Guerra González, J., 02.2013, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 42 p. (Leuphana Schriftenreihe Nachhaltigkeit & Recht; no. 3).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  51. Published

    Species Identification of Bacteria and Fungi from Solid and Liquid Culture Media by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

    Reich, M., Bosshard, P. P., Stark, M., Beyser, K. & Borgmann, S., 22.01.2013, In: Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology. 4, S5, 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review