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. 2018
  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik: Vom freien Markt bis zur Share Economy

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, 2 ed. München: C.H. Beck Verlag. 127 p. (C. H. Beck Wissen; vol. 2845)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik – quo vadis? „Ist“ und „Soll“ eines Bindestrichfachs aus protestantischer Perspektive

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, Evangelische Wirtschaftsethik-wohin?. Manzeschke, A. (ed.). Münster: LIT Verlag, p. 27 - 48 22 p. (LLG - Leiten. Lenken. Gestalten. Theologie und Ökonomie; vol. 33).

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

  6. 2017
  7. Published

    Climate-neutral and sustainable campus Leuphana University of Lueneburg

    Opel, O., Strodel, N., Werner, K. F., Geffken, J., Tribel, A. & Ruck, W., 15.12.2017, In: Energy. 141, p. 2628-2639 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Experiments and evidence in sustainability science: A typology

    Caniglia, G., Schäpke, N., Lang, D. J., Abson, D. J., Lüderitz, C., Wiek, A., Laubichler, M., Gralla, F. & von Wehrden, H., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 39-47 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Learning through evaluation: A tentative evaluative scheme for sustainability transition experiments

    Lüderitz, C., Schäpke, N., Wiek, A., Lang, D. J., Bergmann, M., Bos, J. J., Burch, S., Davies, A., Evans, J., König, A., Farrelly, M. A., Forrest, N., Frantzeskaki, N., Gibson, R. B., Kay, B., Loorbach, D., McCormick, K., Parodi, O., Rauschmayer, F., Schneidewind, U., Stauffacher, M., Stelzer, F., Trencher, G., Venjakob, J., Vergragt, P. J., von Wehrden, H. & Westley, F. R., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 61-76 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Urban BaWü-Labs: Challenges and Solutions when Expanding the Real-World Lab Infrastructure

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Marg, O., Bergmann, M., Miller, E., Wagner, F. & Lang, D. J., 15.12.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 4, p. 366-368 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Environmental justice and care: critical emancipatory contributions to sustainability discourse

    Gottschlich, D. & Bellina, L., 01.12.2017, In: Agriculture and Human Values. 34, 4, p. 941-953 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. 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

  13. Published

    Transnational collaboration for sustainability in higher education: Lessons from a systematic review

    Caniglia, G., Lüderitz, C., Groß, M., Muhr, M., John, B., Withycombe Keeler, L., von Wehrden, H., Laubichler, M., Wiek, A. & Lang, D., 01.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 168, p. 764-779 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  14. Published

    Sustainability conflicts in Coastal India: Hazards, changing climate and development discourse in Indian Sundarbans

    Ghosh, A., 12.2017, 1 ed. Germany: Springer. 245 p. (Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  15. Published

    Bridging divides in sustainability science

    Lang, D. J., Wiek, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.11.2017, In: Sustainability Science. 12, 6, p. 875 - 879 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  16. 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

  17. Published

    Acknowledging temporal diversity in sustainability transformations at the nexus of interconnected systems

    Weiser, A., Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 273-285 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Facilitating regional energy transition strategies: Toward a typology of regions

    Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Wehrden, H., 01.09.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 9, 17 p., 1560.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Ecosystem services in global sustainability policies

    Geijzendorffer, I. R., Cohen-Shacham, E., Cord, A. F., Cramer, W., Guerra, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.08.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 74, p. 40-48 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published
  21. Published

    Testing socio-cultural valuation methods of ecosystem services to explain land use preferences

    Schmidt, K., Walz, A., Martín-López, B. & Sachse, R., 01.08.2017, In: Ecosystem Services. 26, Part A, p. 270-288 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. 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

  23. Published

    Delineating boundaries of social-ecological systems for landscape planning: A comprehensive spatial approach

    Martín-López, B., Palomo, I., García-Llorente, M., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Castro, A. J., García Del Amo, D., Gómez-Baggethun, E. & Montes, C., 01.07.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 66, p. 90-104 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. 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

  25. Published

    Case Study: the social context of arsenic regulation and exposure in South East Hungary

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 239-246 8 p.

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

  26. Published

    Community awareness and engagement for arsenic management

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the Control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 117-124 8 p.

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

  27. 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

  28. Published

    Driving factors for the regional implementation of renewable energy: - a multiple case study on the German energy transition

    Lutz, L. M., Fischer, L-B., Newig, J. & Lang, D. J., 01.06.2017, In: Energy Policy. 105, p. 136-147 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Putting sustainable chemistry and resource use into context: The role of temporal diversity

    Weiser, A., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 01.06.2017, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 5, p. 105-114 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. 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

  31. Published

    A review of ecosystem service benefits from wild bees across social contexts

    Matias, D. M. S., Leventon, J., Rau, A. L., Borgemeister, C. & von Wehrden, H., 01.05.2017, In: Ambio. 46, 4, p. 456-467 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  32. Published

    Collaboration or fragmentation? Biodiversity management through the common agricultural policy

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., Schaal, T., Velten, S., Dänhardt, J., Fischer, J., Abson, D. & Newig, J., 01.05.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 64, p. 1-12 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. 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

  34. Published

    Forschendes Lernen in der Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaft

    Vilsmaier, U. & Meyer, E. M., 05.2017, Forschendes Lernen: Wie die Lehre in Universität und Fachhochschule erneuert werden kann. Mieg, H. A. & Lehmann, J. (eds.). Frankfurt: Campus Verlag, p. 357-366 10 p.

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

  35. Published

    Learning from Co-Founders of Grassroots Initiatives: Personal Resilience, Transition, and Behavioral Change – a Salutogenic Approach

    Maschkowski, G., Schäpke, N., Grabs, J. & Langen, N., 05.2017, Resilience, Community Action and Social Transformation: People, Place, Practice, Power, Politics & Possibility in Transition. Henfrey, T. & Maschkowski, G. (eds.). 1 ed. Lisbon: Permanent Publications, p. 65-84 20 p. (The Community-Led Transformations Book Series; vol. 2).

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

  36. Published
  37. Published

    Servicios Ecosistémicos en Latinoamérica: De la investigación a la acción

    Laterra, P., Martín-López, B., Mastrángelo, M. & Garibaldi, L. A., 01.04.2017, In: Ecología Austral. 27, 1, p. 94-98 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Socio-technical change linking expectations and representations: Innovating thermal treatment of municipal solid waste

    Levidow, L. & Upham, P., 01.04.2017, In: Science and Public Policy. 44, 2, p. 211-224 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Energy transitions and national development indicators: A global review of nuclear energy production

    Gralla, F., Abson, D. J., Møller, A. P., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 04.2017, In: Renewable & Sustainble Energy Reviews. 70, p. 1251-1265 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  40. Published

    Socio-cultural valuation approaches

    Santos-Martín, F., Kelemen, E., García-Llorente, M., Jacobs, S., Oteros-Rozas, E., Barton, D. N., Palomo, I., Hevia, V. & Martín-López, B., 30.03.2017, Mapping ecosystem services. Burkhard, B. & Maes, J. (eds.). Sofia: Pensoft Publishers Ltd., p. 102-112 11 p.

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

  41. Published

    Towards a Sustainable Use of Phosphorus: A Transdisciplinary Scenario Analysis for the Administrative District of Lüneburg, Germany

    Sieveking, A., Weber, H., Riewerts, B. & Böhme, M., 23.03.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 1, p. 34-42 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. 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

  43. Published

    Reallabore im Kontext Transformativer Forschung: Ansatzpunkte zur Konzeption und Einbettung in den internationalen Forschungsstand

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Bergmann, M., Singer-Brodowski, M., Wanner, M., Caniglia, G. & Lang, D. J., 25.02.2017, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 62 p. (IETSR Discussion papers in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research ; no. 1/2017).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  44. Published

    An integrative research framework for enabling transformative adaptation

    Colloff, M. J., Martín-López, B., Lavorel, S., Locatelli, B., Gorddard, R., Longaretti, P. Y., Walters, G., van Kerkhoff, L., Wyborn, C., Coreau, A., Wise, R. M., Dunlop, M., Degeorges, P., Grantham, H., Overton, I. C., Williams, R. D., Doherty, M. D., Capon, T., Sanderson, T. & Murphy, H. T., 01.02.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 68, p. 87-96 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Leverage points for sustainability transformation

    Abson, D. J., Fischer, J., Leventon, J., Newig, J., Schomerus, T., Vilsmaier, U., von Wehrden, H., Abernethy, P., Ives, C. D., Jager, N. W. & Lang, D. J., 01.02.2017, In: Ambio. 46, 1, p. 30-39 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Trait-based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

    Hevia, V., Martín-López, B., Palomo, S., García-Llorente, M., de Bello, F. & González, J. A., 01.02.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 3, p. 831-844 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  47. Published

    PoNa als inter- und transdisziplinäres Experiment in der Sozial-ökologischen Forschung

    Bergmann, M., Gottschlich, D., Mölders, T. & Schramm, E., 02.2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung : Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Mölders, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 243-263 21 p.

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

  48. Published

    Real-world Laboratories and Transformation Research: Call for Papers: GAIA Open Access Special Issue

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Bergmann, M., Lang, D. J., Wagner, F. & Miller, E., 15.01.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 1, p. 55-57 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  49. Published

    Gutes Leben vor Ort

    Heinrichs, H. (ed.), Kirst, E. (ed.) & Plawitzki, J. (ed.), 09.01.2017, Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag. 253 p. (Initiativen zum Umweltschutz; vol. 90)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  50. Published

    Embedding Evidence on Conservation Interventions Within a Context of Multilevel Governance

    Ekroos, J., Leventon, J., Fischer, J., Newig, J. & Smith, H. G., 01.01.2017, In: Conservation Letters. 10, 1, p. 139-145 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. 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

  52. Published

    The glocal curriculum: a practical guide to teaching and learning in an Interconnected world

    John, B., Caniglia, G., Bellina, L., Lang, D. J. & Laubichler, M., 2017, Baden Baden: [sic!] Verlag für kritische Ästhetik. 189 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch