Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

In the professorship, we address three main challenges for the fulfilment of this aspiration:

  • Consolidate the epistemological and methodological foundations of transdisciplinary sustainability research.
  • Enhance research at the science/society interface that has both scientific and societal relevance.
  • Enable students, researchers and societal actors to contribute to societal transformation with local and global impact.

We are rooted/embedded in the Faculty of  Sustainability and collaborate with different institutes at Leuphana and research institutions from around the world as well as with different societal actors and institutions from the private and public sector in Lueneburg and beyond. 

We creatively combine conceptual and empirical research with the development of new formats and environments.

  1. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation: a review on interventions in food and energy systems

    Dorninger, C., Abson, D. J., Apetrei, C. I., Derwort, P., Ives, C. D., Klaniecki, K., Lam, D., Langsenlehner, M., Riechers, M., Spittler, N. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2020, In: Ecological Economics. 171, 9 p., 106570.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  2. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformations: nine guiding questions for sustainability science and practice

    Leventon, J., Abson, D. J. & Lang, D. J., 05.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 3, p. 721-726 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  3. Published

    Linking concepts of change and ecosystem services research: A systematic review

    Rau, A-L., Bickel, M. W., Hilser, S., Jenkins, S., McCrory, G., Pfefferle, N., Rathgens, J., Roitsch, D., Schroth, T. N., Stålhammar, S., Villada, D., Weiser, A., Wamsler, C., Krause, T. & Wehrden, H., 01.12.2018, In: Change and Adaptation in Socio-Ecological Systems. 4, 1, p. 33-45 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Linking large-scale and small-scale distribution patterns of steppe plant species—An example using fourth-corner analysis

    Treiber, J., von Wehrden, H., Zimmermann, H., Welk, E., Jäger, E. J., Ronnenberg, K. & Wesche, K., 01.02.2020, In: Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 263, 8 p., 151553.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Linking stakeholder survey, scenario analysis, and simulation modeling to explore the long-term impacts of regional water governance regimes

    Withycombe Keeler, L., Wiek, A., White, D. D. & Sampson, D. A., 04.2015, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 48, p. 237-249 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Linking transitions to sustainability: A study of the societal effects of transition management

    Schäpke, N., Omann, I., Wittmayer, J. M., van Steenbergen, F. & Mock, M., 03.05.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 5, 36 p., 737.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Linking Transitions to Sustainability: Individual Agency, Normativity and Transdisciplinary Collaborations in transition Management

    Schäpke, N., 2018, Lüneburg, 344 p. (IETSR Discussion papers in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research; vol. 2).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  9. Published

    Local food sovereignty for global food security? Highlighting interplay challenges

    Leventon, J. & Laudan, J., 10.2017, In: Geoforum. 85, p. 23-26 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Local levers for change: Mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation into municipal planning to foster sustainability transitions

    Wamsler, C., Luederitz, C. & Brink, E., 01.11.2014, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 29, p. 189 - 201 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Loving the mess: navigating diversity and conflict in social values for sustainability

    Kenter, J. O., Raymond, C. M., van Riper, C. J., Azzopardi, E., Brear, M. R., Calcagni, F., Christie, I., Christie, M., Fordham, A., Gould, R. K., Ives, C. D., Hejnowicz, A. P., Gunton, R., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Kendal, D., Kronenberg, J., Massenberg, J. R., O’Connor, S., Ravenscroft, N., Rawluk, A., Raymond, I. J., Rodríguez-Morales, J. & Thankappan, S., 02.09.2019, In: Sustainability Science. 14, 5, p. 1439-1461 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Low-Profit im Kontext der UN-Nachhaltigkeitsziele

    Fahrbach, C. & Weiser, A., 2021, Wirtschaft neu lehren: Erfahrungen aus der pluralen, sozioökonomischen Hochschulbildung. Urban, J., Schröder, L-M., Hantke, H. & Bäuerle, L. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 107-124 18 p. (Sozioökonomische Bildung und Wissenschaft).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  13. Published

    Lüneburg 2030+ - ein Reallabor zur lokalen Implementierung der Sustainable Development Goals

    Lang, D., Weiser, A. & Seidel, A., 2018, Die Rolle der Universität in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft im Wandel. Henkel, A., Hobuß, S., Jamme, C. & Wuggenig, U. (eds.). 1. ed. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag, p. 193-197 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  14. Published

    L'université orientée vers le soin de la richesse et les mères chercheuses durant la pandémie du Covid-19

    Sander, A. & Grauer, C., 2023, In: Revue Philosophique de Louvain. 120, 1, p. 41-60 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published
  16. 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

  17. Published

    Making transdisciplinarity happen: Phase 0, or before the beginning

    Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Leventon, J. & Lang, D. J., 01.10.2022, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 136, p. 187-197 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Many pathways toward sustainability: not conflict but co-learning between transition narratives

    Lüderitz, C., Abson, D. J., Audet, R. & Lang, D. J., 01.05.2017, In: Sustainability Science. 12, 3, p. 393-407 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Mapping a sustainable future: Community learning in dialogue at the science–society interface

    Barth, M., Lang, D. J., Luthardt, P. & Vilsmaier, U., 01.12.2017, In: International Review of Education. 63, 6, p. 811 - 828 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Merkmalsextraktion und semantische Integration von Ultrabreitband-Sensoren zur Erkennung von Notfällen

    Sachs, J., Helbig, M., Herrmann, R., Welge, R. & Bollow, E., 2010, Ambient Assisted Living 2010: 3. Deutscher AAL-Kongress mit Ausstellung Assistenzsysteme im Dienste des Menschen - Zuhause und Unterwegs, 26. - 27. Januar 2010 in Berlin ; Tagungsbandbeiträge. Berlin u.a.: VDE Verlag GmbH, 5 p.

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

  21. Published

    Methoden transdisziplinärer Forschung: Ein Überblick mit Anwendungsbeispielen

    Bergmann, M., Jahn, T., Knobloch, T., Krohn, W., Pohl, C. & Schramm, E., 2010, Frankfurt am Main: Campus Verlag. 295 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  22. Published

    Methoden und Methodologie in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften

    Lang, D. J., Rode, H. & von Wehrden, H., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Michelsen, G. & Heinrichs, H. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 115-144 30 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducation

  23. Published

    Methodological Challenges in Sustainability Science: A Call for Method Plurality, Procedural Rigor and Longitudinal Research

    Wehrden, H., Lüderitz, C., Leventon, J. & Russell, S., 20.03.2017, In: Challenges in Sustainability. 5, 1, p. 35-42 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Methods for Transdisciplinary Research: A Primer for Practice

    Bergmann, M., Jahn, T., Knobloch, T., Krohn, W., Pohl, C. & Schramm, E., 16.08.2012, Campus Verlag. 294 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  25. Published

    Mismatches between supply and demand in wildlife tourism: Insights for assessing cultural ecosystem services

    Arbieu, U., Grünewald, C., Martín-López, B., Schleuning, M. & Böhning-Gaese, K., 01.07.2017, In: Ecological Indicators. 78, p. 282-291 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published
  27. Published
  28. Published

    My Touchstone Puzzles. W.D. Hamilton work on Social Wasps in the 1960s

    Caniglia, G., 2017, Integrated history and philosophy of science: problems, perspectives, and case studies. Stadler, F. (ed.). Cham: Springer, p. 31 - 42 12 p. (Vienna Circle Institute Yearbook; vol. 20).

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

  29. Published

    Nachhaltige Kommunalverwaltung

    Kirst, E., Trockel, S. & Heinrichs, H., 02.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 549-566 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducation

  30. Published

    Nachhaltige Wissenschaft in der akademischen Ausbildung: Das Programm einer transformativen Bildung an NaWis-Institutionen

    Chrubasik, N., Ernst, A., Lang, D. J., Schneidewind, U., Simon, K-H., Singer-Brodowski, M. & Vilsmaier, U., 06.2013, In: GAIA. 22, 2, p. 132-134 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  31. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitsethik

    Oermann, N. O. & Weinert, A., 2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin u.a.: Springer, p. 63-86 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  32. Published

    NachhaltigZeit: Ein Bildungsangebot zur Förderung von Zeitgestaltungskompetenz

    Grauer, C., Fischer, D. & Frank, P., 2021, Hamar, Norwegen: Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. 34 p. (Images and Objects - Active Methodology Toolkit #12; vol. 12)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesEducation

  33. Published

    Namibia, Christianity in

    Oermann, N. O., 17.02.2022, The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Church: K-Z. Louth, A. (ed.). 4. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Vol. 2. (Oxford Dictionary of Christian Churches).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  34. Published

    National report Germany

    Boogaart, H. V. D., Plewig, H-J., Kleipoedßus, S. & Peters, A., 2005, Women, integration & prison: MIP PROJECT Women, Integration and Prison;An analysis of the sociolabour integrationprocesses of women prisoners in Europe.. Cruells, M. & Igareda, N. (eds.). Barcelona: Aurea Editores, p. 210-234 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  35. Published

    Neue deutsche Härte: die konfrontative Pädagogik auf dem Prüfstand, [1]

    Plewig, H-J., 2007, In: Zeitschrift für Jugendkriminalrecht und Jugendhilfe. 18, 4, p. 363-369 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  36. Published

    Neue deutsche Härte: die konfrontative Pädagogik auf dem Prüfstand, [2]

    Plewig, H-J., 2008, In: Zeitschrift für Jugendkriminalrecht und Jugendhilfe. 19, 1, p. 52-59 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  37. Published

    Neue Formate transdisziplinärer Forschung: Ausdifferenzierte Brücken zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis

    Grunwald, A., Schäfer, M. & Bergmann, M., 22.07.2020, In: GAIA. 29, 2, p. 106-114 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Noah's ark or world wild web? Cultural perspectives in global scenario studies and their function for biodiversity conservation in a changing world

    Beumer, C. & Martens, P., 14.10.2010, In: Sustainability. 2, 10, p. 3211-3238 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  39. Published

    Non-technical success factors for bioenergy projects-Learning from a multiple case study in Japan

    Blumer, Y. B., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. J., Hayashi, K. & Uchida, S., 09.2013, In: Energy Policy. 60, 9, p. 386 - 395 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Nuclear accidents call for transdisciplinary nuclear energy research

    Gralla, F., Abson, D., Møller, A. P., Lang, D. J., Vilsmaier, U., Sovacool, B. K. & von Wehrden, H., 01.2015, In: Sustainability Science. 10, 1, p. 179-183 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  41. Published

    Off-stage ecosystem service burdens: A blind spot for global sustainability

    Pascual, U., Palomo, I., Adams, W. M., Chan, K. M. A., Daw, T. M., Garmendia, E., Gómez-Baggethun, E., de Groot, R., Mace, G. M., Martín-López, B. & Phelp, J., 07.2017, In: Environmental Research Letters. 12, 7, 10 p., 075001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Ökologische verträgliche Mobilität oder Es ist angerichtet: ein utopisches Menue

    Bergmann, M. & Jahn, T., 1999, Jahrbuch Ökologie. Altner, G., Mettler-von Meiborn, B. & Simonis, U. E. (eds.). C.H. Beck Verlag, 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  43. Published

    Ökonomistische Diskurse der Nachhaltigkeit: Bestimmende Momente und die Frage nach Alternativen

    Meyer, E. M. & Vilsmaier, U., 08.2017, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften und die Suche nach neuen Wissensordnungen. Pfister, T. (ed.). 1 ed. Weimar: Metropolis Verlag, p. 147-168 22 p.

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

  44. Published

    Operationalising Competencies in Higher Education for Sustainable Development

    Wiek, A., Bernstein, M. J., Foley, R. W., Cohen, M., Forrest, N., Kuzdas, C., Kay, B. & Withycombe Keeler, L., 26.10.2015, Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development. Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Rieckmann, M. & Thomas, I. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 241-260 20 p. 16. (Routledge International Handbooks Series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducation

  45. Published

    Other spaces: Parks as societal mirrors

    Vilsmaier, U., 14.01.2016, Parks of the Future: Protected Areas in Europe Challenging Regional and Global Change. Hammer, T., Mose, I., Siegrist, D. & Weixlbaumer, N. (eds.). 1 ed. München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 113-121 9 p.

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

  46. Published

    Pädagogik und Zwang, Minderjährigenrechte und Freiheitsschutz

    Plewig, H-J., 2007, In: Zeitschrift für Jugendkriminalrecht und Jugendhilfe. 18, 4, p. 428-429 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  47. Published

    Perspectives on comprehensive sustainability-orientation in municipalities: Structuring existing approaches

    Kirst, E. & Lang, D. J., 16.02.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 4, 21 p., 1040.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Pesticide and Greenhouse Gas Externalities from US Agriculture: The Impact of their Internalization and Climate Change

    Shakhramanyan, D. N. G., Schneider, U. A. & McCarl, B. A., 01.08.2013, In: Climate Change Economics. 4, 3, 28 p., 1350008 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Pesticide externalities from the US agricultural sector - The impact of internalization, reduced pesticide application rates, and climate change

    Koleva, N. G., Schneider, U. A. & McCarl, B. A., 2011, In: Procedia Environmental Sciences. 6, p. 153-161 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Phosphorus status, use and recycling in a Chinese peri-urban region with intensive animal husbandry and cropping systems: Results from case study in a Sino-German applied research collaboration project

    Roelcke, M., Heimann, L., Hou, Y., Guo, J., Xue, Q., Jia, W., Ostermann, A., Huaitalla, R. M., Engbers, M., Olbrich, C., Scholz, R. W., Clemens, J., Schuchardt, F., Nieder, R., Liu, X. & Zhang, F., 01.12.2019, In: Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering. 6, 4, p. 388-402 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch