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. 2022
  2. Published

    Does Sharing with Neighbours Work? Accounts of Success and Failure from Two German Housing Experimentations

    Huber, A., 20.10.2022, In: Housing, Theory and Society. 39, 5, p. 524-554 31 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Modeling items for text comprehension assessment using confirmatory factor analysis

    Tschense, M. & Wallot, S., 20.10.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 13, 10 p., 966347.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    The Efficacy of a Web-Based Stress Management Intervention for Employees Experiencing Adverse Working Conditions and Occupational Self-efficacy as a Mediator: Randomized Controlled Trial

    Nixon, P., Ebert, D. D., Boß, L., Angerer, P., Dragano, N. & Lehr, D., 20.10.2022, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 24, 10, 16 p., e40488.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Landscape products for sustainable agricultural landscapes

    García-Martín, M., Huntsinger, L., Ibarrola-Rivas, M. J., Penker, M., D’Ambrosio, U., Dimopoulos, T., Fernández-Giménez, M. E., Kizos, T., Muñoz-Rojas, J., Saito, O., Zimmerer, K. S., Abson, D. J., Liu, J., Quintas-Soriano, C., Sørensen, I. H., Verburg, P. H. & Plieninger, T., 18.10.2022, In: Nature Food. 3, 10, p. 814-821 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Reallabore als Lernräume: Nachhaltige Stadt- und Kommunalentwicklung

    Bürgener, L., Drautz, S. & Lang, D. J., 15.10.2022, In: Politische Ökologie. 40, 170, p. 72-77 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  7. Published

    Understanding positive contributions to sustainability. A systematic review

    Dijkstra-Silva, S., Schaltegger, S. & Beske-Janssen, P., 15.10.2022, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 320, 11 p., 115802.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Developing ESD-specific professional action competence for teachers: knowledge, skills, and attitudes in implementing ESD at the school level

    Brandt, J.-O., Barth, M., Hale, A. & Merritt, E., 11.10.2022, In: Environmental Education Research. 28, 12, p. 1691-1729 39 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Meaning-making in higher education for sustainable development: Undergraduates’ long-term processes of experiencing and learning

    Sundermann, A., Weiser, A. & Barth, M., 10.10.2022, In: Environmental Education Research. 28, 11, p. 1616-1634 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    The Food Waste Lab: Improving food waste reduction behavior through education

    Mariam, N., Nina, L., Fabian, B., Florence, Z., Abels, S., Ulf, S. & Daniel, F., 10.10.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 370, 133447.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Quantum chemical calculation of the vapor pressure of volatile and semi volatile organic compounds

    Stahn, M., Grimme, S., Salthammer, T., Hohm, U. & Palm, W.-U., 03.10.2022, In: Environmental Sciences: Processes & Impacts. 24, 11, p. 2153-2166 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    A mobile sense of place: exploring a novel mixed methods user-centred approach to capturing data on urban cycling infrastructure

    Wesener, A., Vallance, S., Tesch, M., Edwards, S., Frater, J. & Moreham, R., 02.10.2022, In: Applied Mobilities. 7, 4, p. 327-351 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Application of modern coexistence theory to rare plant restoration provides early indication of restoration trajectories

    Aoyama, L., Shoemaker, L. G., Gilbert, B., Collinge, S. K., Faist, A. M., Shackelford, N., Temperton, V. M., Barabás, G., Larios, L., Ladouceur, E., Godoy, O., Bowler, C. & Hallett, L. M., 01.10.2022, In: Ecological Applications. 32, 7, 14 p., e2649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Assessing mire-specific biodiversity with an indicator based approach

    Hammerich, J., Dammann, C., Schulz, C., Tanneberger, F., Zeitz, J. & Luthardt, V., 01.10.2022, In: Mires and Peat. 28, 29 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Carbon fluxes within tree-crop-grass agroforestry system: 13C field labeling and tracing

    Zhou, J., Shao, G., Kumar, A., Shi, L., Kuzyakov, Y. & Pausch, J., 01.10.2022, In: Biology and Fertility of Soils. 58, 7, p. 733-743 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Corporate sustainability management accounting and multi-level links for sustainability – A systematic review

    Schaltegger, S., Christ, K. L., Wenzig, J. & Burritt, R., 01.10.2022, In: International Journal of Management Reviews. 24, 4, p. 480-500 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Green and Sustainable Extraction of Proteins from Agro-industrial Waste: An Overview and a Closer Look to Latin America

    Segatto, M. L., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K. & Zuin, V. G., 01.10.2022, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 37, 100661.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Improving the end-of-life management of solar panels in Germany

    El-Khawad, L., Bartkowiak, D. & Kümmerer, K., 01.10.2022, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 168, 112678.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  19. Published

    Leveraging Governance Performance to Enhance Climate Resilience

    Rölfer, L., Abson, D. J., Costa, M. M., Rosendo, S., Smith, T. F. & Celliers, L., 01.10.2022, In: Earth's Future. 10, 10, 15 p., e2022EF003012.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. 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

  21. Published

    The lipid composition of the in situ pellicle

    Reich, M., Hannig, C., Hannig, M., Kümmerer, K. & Kensche, A., 01.10.2022, In: Archives of Oral Biology. 142, 105493.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    ‘You can't be green if you're in the red’: Local discourses on the production-biodiversity intersection in a mixed farming area in south-eastern Australia

    Schaal, T., Jacobs, A., Leventon, J., Scheele, B. C., Lindenmayer, D. & Hanspach, J., 01.10.2022, In: Land Use Policy. 121, 106306.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Naturaleza en lienzo: narraciones sobre relaciones humanos-naturaleza usando métodos basados en arte en La Paz, Bolivia

    Benavides-Frias, C., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S. & Schaal, T., 30.09.2022, In: Letras Verdes. 32, 32, p. 67-87 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Transformationsnarrative: Kurzgutachten

    Hartmann, E. & Heinrichs, H., 28.09.2022, Institut für Nachhaltigkeitssteuerung (INSUGO), 10 p. (Schriftenreihe Nachhaltigkeit, Politik, Gesellschaft; no. 1).

    Research output: Working paperExpert opinions

  25. Published

    Transformation verstehen lernen: Nachhaltigkeitsbildung und Data Literacy Education in der Studieneingangsphase

    Weiser, A., van Deest, J. & Barth, M., 26.09.2022, Digitale Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Herausforderungen und Perspektiven für die Hochschulbildung. Weselek, J., Kohler, F. & Siegmund, A. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 53-65 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  26. Published

    Who can nudge for sustainable development? How nudge source renders dynamic norms (in-)effective in eliciting sustainable behavior

    Boenke, L., Panning, M., Thurow, A., Hörisch, J. & Loschelder, D. D., 25.09.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 368, 11 p., 133246.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Socio-Environmental Vulnerability of Agriculture Communities to Climate Change in Western Himalaya: A Household-Level Review

    Chauhan, N., von Wehrden, H. & Joshi, P. K., 24.09.2022, Challenges of Disasters in Asia: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience. Sajjad, H., Siddiqui, L., Rahman, A., Tahir, M. & Ahsan Siddiqui, M. (eds.). Springer Verlag, p. 123-145 23 p.

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

  28. Published

    Digitale Interventionen in der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung

    Hoppe, A., Roswag, M. & Lehr, D., 23.09.2022, Handbuch Gesundheitsförderung bei der Arbeit: Interventionen für Individuen, Teams und Organisationen. Michel, A. & Hoppe, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 351-369 19 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  29. Published

    Sustainability Competencies in Higher Education

    Michel, J. O., Brundiers, K., Barth, M., Fischer, D., Mochizuki, Y., Redman, A. & Zint, M., 22.09.2022, The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Futures. Brears, R. (ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, p. 1-6 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  30. Published

    The Potential of Modular Product Design on Repair Behavior and User Experience - Evidence from the Smartphone Industry

    Amend, C., Revellio, F., Tenner, I. & Schaltegger, S., 20.09.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 367, 14 p., 132770.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Four Methods to Distinguish between Fractal Dimensions in Time Series through Recurrence Quantification Analysis

    Tomashin, A., Leonardi, G. & Wallot, S., 19.09.2022, In: Entropy. 24, 9, 14 p., 1314.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Ionic liquids vs. ethanol as extraction media of algicidal compounds from mango processing waste

    Segatto, M. L., Schnarr, L., Olsson, O., Kümmerer, K. & Zuin, V. G., 16.09.2022, In: Frontiers in Chemistry. 10, 13 p., 986987.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    GREENER Pharmaceuticals for More Sustainable Healthcare

    Moermond, C. T. A., Puhlmann, N., Brown, A. R., Owen, S. F., Ryan, J., Snape, J., Venhuis, B. J. & Kümmerer, K., 13.09.2022, In: Environmental Science and Technology Letters. 9, 9, p. 699-705 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  34. Published

    Alternative Products Selling Sustainability? A Brazilian Case Study on Materials and Processes to Produce Plant-Based Hamburger Patties

    Zuin, V. G., Araripe, E., Zanotti, K., Stahl, A. M. & Gomes, C. J. C., 08.09.2022, In: Sustainable Chemistry. 3, 3, p. 415-429 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    A Proposal for Integrating Theories of Complexity for Better Understanding Global Systemic Risks

    Haas, A., Laubichler, M., Applegate, J., Steudle, G. & Jaeger, C. C., 01.09.2022, In: Risk Analysis. 42, 9, p. 1945-1951 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Can guided introspection help avoid rationalization of meat consumption? Mixed-methods results of a pilot experimental study

    Frank, P., Heimann, K., Kolbe, V. & Schuster, C., 01.09.2022, In: Cleaner and Responsible Consumption. 6, 10 p., 100070.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Das NinU-Raster zur Planung und Reflexion inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts für Lehramtsstudierende

    Fühner, L., González, L. F., Weck, H., Pusch, A. & Abels, S., 01.09.2022, Inklusion in der Lehramtsausbildung – Lerngegenstände, Interaktionen und Prozesse . Schröter, A., Kortmann, M., Schulze, S., Kempfer, K., Anderson, S., Sevdiren, G., Bartz, J. & Kreutchen, C. (eds.). 1. ed. Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 63-78 16 p.

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

  38. Published

    Defining and Conceptualizing Impact Investing: Attractive Nuisance or Catalyst?

    Hockerts, K., Hehenberger, L., Schaltegger, S. & Farber, V., 01.09.2022, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 179, 4, p. 937-950 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Earth stewardship: Shaping a sustainable future through interacting policy and norm shifts

    Chapin, F. S., Weber, E. U., Bennett, E. M., Biggs, R., van den Bergh, J., Adger, W. N., Crépin, A. S., Polasky, S., Folke, C., Scheffer, M., Segerson, K., Anderies, J. M., Barrett, S., Cardenas, J. C., Carpenter, S. R., Fischer, J., Kautsky, N., Levin, S. A., Shogren, J. F., Walker, B., Wilen, J. & de Zeeuw, A., 01.09.2022, In: Ambio. 51, 9, p. 1907-1920 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Fettflecken untersuchen mit Graphical Analysis

    Stinken-Rösner, L., Wilhelm, T. & Kuhn, J., 01.09.2022, In: Physik in unserer Zeit. 53, 5, p. 254-255 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  41. Published

    Institutional entrepreneurship for responsible digital innovation: The case of corporate digital responsibility

    Trittin-Ulbrich, H. & Böckel, A., 01.09.2022, In: Creativity and Innovation Management. 31, 3, p. 447-459 13 p., 3.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published
  43. Published

    Land-use change differentially affects endemic, forest andopen-land butterflies in Madagascar

    Wurz, A., Grass, I., Lees, D. C., Rakotomalala, A. A. N. A., Sáfián, S., Martin, D. A., Osen, K., Loos, J., Benasoavina, E., Alexis, T. & Tscharntke, T., 01.09.2022, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 15, 5, p. 606-620 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Placing Brazil's grasslands and savannas on the map of science and conservation

    Overbeck, G. E., Vélez-Martin, E., Menezes, L. D. S., Anand, M., Baeza, S., Carlucci, M. B., Dechoum, M. S., Durigan, G., Fidelis, A., Guido, A., Moro, M. F., Munhoz, C. B. R., Reginato, M., Rodrigues, R. S., Rosenfield, M. F., Sampaio, A. B., Barbosa da Silva, F. H., Silveira, F. A. O., Sosinski, Ê. E., Staude, I. R., Temperton, V. M., Turchetto, C., Veldman, J. W., Viana, P. L., Zappi, D. C. & Müller, S. C., 01.09.2022, In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 56, 125687.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Root biology never sleeps: 11th Symposium of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR11) and the 9th International Symposium on Root Development (Rooting2021), 24-28 May 2021

    Carley, C. N., Chen, G., Das, K. K., Delory, B. M., Dimitrova, A., Ding, Y., George, A. P., Greeley, L. A., Han, Q., Hendriks, P. W., Hernandez-Soriano, M. C., Li, M., Ng, J. L. P., Mau, L., Mesa-Marín, J., Miller, A. J., Rae, A. E., Schmidt, J., Thies, A., Topp, C. N., Wacker, T. S., Wang, P., Wang, X., Xie, L. & Zheng, C., 01.09.2022, In: The New phytologist. 235, 6, p. 2149-2154 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  46. Published

    Scoping Review of Existing Evaluations of Smokeless Tobacco Control Policies: What Is Known About Countries Covered, Level of Jurisdictions, Target Groups Studied, and Instruments Evaluated?

    Forberger, S., Khan, Z., Ahmad, F., Frense, J., Kampfmann, T., Ahmad, F., Ullah, S., Dogar, O., Siddiqi, K. & Zeeb, H., 01.09.2022, In: Nicotine and Tobacco Research. 24, 9, p. 1344-1354 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  47. Published

    Systemic Risks from Different Perspectives

    Renn, O., Laubichler, M., Lucas, K., Kröger, W., Schanze, J., Scholz, R. W. & Schweizer, P., 01.09.2022, In: Risk Analysis. 42, 9, p. 1902-1920 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    The effects of visual sustainability labels on consumer perception and behavior: A systematic review of the empirical literature

    Majer, J. M., Henscher, H. A., Reuber, P., Fischer-Kreer, D. & Fischer, D., 01.09.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 33, p. 1-14 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  49. Published

    Transformation archetypes in global food systems

    Dornelles, A. Z., Boonstra, W. J., Delabre, I., Denney, J. M., Nunes, R. J., Jentsch, A., Nicholas, K. A., Schröter, M., Seppelt, R., Settele, J., Shackelford, N., Standish, R. J. & Oliver, T. H., 01.09.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 5, p. 1827-1840 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Climate Change Law in Germany - Legislation, Iurisdiction, and Governmental Ambitions

    Schomerus, T., 09.2022, In: Public law. 2, p. 1-21 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  51. Published

    Sustainable lifestyles: towards a relational approach

    Böhme, J., Walsh, Z. & Wamsler, C., 09.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 5, p. 2063-2076 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review