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

    Trade Wars: Past and Present

    Oermann, N. O. & Wolff, H.-J., 25.08.2022, 1 ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 316 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  3. Published

    Curriculum Hannover – webbasierte vs. analoge Durchführung der psychosomatischen Nachsorge und vs. Care as usual

    Dahmen, A., Gao, L., Keller, F. M., Lehr, D., Becker, P. & Lippke, S., 22.08.2022, In: Die Rehabilitation. 61, 4, p. 287-296 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published
  5. Published

    Effects of tree diversity on canopy space occupation vary with tree size and canopy space definition in a mature broad-leaved forest

    Georgi, L., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Bienert, A., Maas, H.-G. & von Oheimb, G., 15.08.2022, In: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 323, 109055.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Environmental management accounting: development, context, contribution and outlook

    Schaltegger, S., Burritt, R. & Christ, K. L., 04.08.2022, Handbook of Accounting and Sustainability. Adams, C. (ed.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 260-278 19 p. (Research handbooks in accounting).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  7. Published

    Sustainable Statehood: Reflections on Critical (Pre-)Conditions, Requirements and Design Options

    Heinrichs, H., 02.08.2022, In: Sustainability. 14, 15, 14 p., 9461.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  8. Published

    Comparative effectiveness of three versions of a stepped care model for insomnia differing in the amount of therapist support in internet-delivered treatment: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (GET Sleep)

    Spiegelhalder, K., Baumeister, H., Al-Kamaly, A., Bader, M., Bauereiss, N., Benz, F., Braun, L., Buntrock, C., Burkhardt, M., Cuijpers, P., Domschke, K., Dülsen, P., Franke, M., Frase, L., Heber, E., Helm, K., Jentsch, T., Johann, A., Küchler, A. M., Kuhn, M., Lehr, D., Maun, A., Morin, C. M., Moshagen, M., Richter, K., Schiel, J., Simon, L., Spille, L., Weeß, H. G., Riemann, D. & Ebert, D. D., 01.08.2022, In: BMJ Open. 12, 8, 11 p., e058212.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Environmental governance in globally telecoupled systems: Mapping the terrain towards an integrated research agenda

    Cotta, B., Coenen, J., Challies, E., Newig, J., Lenschow, A. & Schilling-Vacaflor, A., 01.08.2022, In: Earth System Governance. 13, 16 p., 100142.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  10. Published

    Environmental governance of a Belt and Road project in Montenegro – National agency and external influences

    Coenen, J., Newig, J. & Meyfroidt, P., 01.08.2022, In: Land Use Policy. 119, 14 p., 106136.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    How to estimate carabid biomass?—an evaluation of size-weight models for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and perspectives for further improvement

    Weiss, F. & Linde, A., 01.08.2022, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 26, 4, p. 537-548 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published
  13. Published

    International student mobility: Pacific Islander experiences of higher education in Australia

    Pearson, J., McNamara, K. & McMichael, C., 01.08.2022, In: Asia Pacific Viewpoint. 63, 2, p. 194-206 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Operationalising the leverage points perspective for empirical research

    Riechers, M., Fischer, J., Manlosa, A. O., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S. & Sala, J. E., 01.08.2022, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 57, 101206.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    PragmatiKK: Target Group-specific Approach in a web-based Stress Prevention Platform for Micro and Small Companies

    Engels, M., Boß, L., Engels, J., Kuhlmann, R., Kuske, J., Lesener, L., Pavlista, V., Scheepers, L., Schmidt-Stiedenroth, K., Schwens, C., Wulf, I. C. & Dragano, N., 01.08.2022, In: Gesundheitswesen. 84, 08/09, p. 862-862 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Centralized and decentral approaches to succeed the 100% energiewende in Germany in the European context – A model-based analysis of generation, network, and storage investments

    Kendziorski, M., Göke, L., Hirschhausen, C. V., Kemfert, C. & Zozmann, E., 08.2022, In: Energy Policy. 167, 9 p., 113039.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    The feeling thinking talking intervention with teachers advances young children's emotion knowledge

    Voltmer, K. & von Salisch, M., 08.2022, In: Social Development. 31, 3, p. 846- 861 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Planetary Integrity

    Kotzé, L. J., Kim, R. E., Burdon, P., du Toit, L., Glass, L.-M., Kashwan, P., Liverman, D., Montesano, F. S., Rantala, S., Sénit, C.-A., Treyer, S. & Calzadilla, P. V., 31.07.2022, The Political Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals : Transforming Governance Through Global Goals?. Biermann, F., Hickmann, T. & Senit, C.-A. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, p. 140-171 32 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  19. Published

    Building urban resilience through sustainability‑oriented small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises

    Burch, S., DiBella, J., Wiek, A., Schaltegger, S., Stubbs, W., Farrelly, M., Ness, B. & McCormick, K., 28.07.2022, In: Urban Transformations. 4, 1, 7 p., 12.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Repurposing chemical waste: Sustainable chemistry for circularity beyond artificial intelligence

    Zuin, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 21.07.2022, In: Cell. 185, 15, p. 2655-2656 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  21. Published

    A Web-Based Stress Management Intervention for University Students in Indonesia (Rileks): Feasibility Study Using a Pretest-Posttest Design

    Juniar, D., Van Ballegooijen, W., Schulte, M., Van Schaik, A., Passchier, J., Heber, E., Lehr, D., Sadarjoen, S. S. & Riper, H., 19.07.2022, In: JMIR Formative Research. 6, 7, 15 p., e37278.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Prosumer – zwischen Energiesuffizienz und Rebound-Effekten: Klimawirkungen sich verändernder Haushaltsverbrauchmuster in Deutschland

    Ouanes, N., Kegel, J., Wiesenthal, J., Lenk, C., Bluhm, H., Weiß, J. & Torliene, L., 18.07.2022, In: Zeitschrift fur Technikfolgenabschatzung in Theorie und Praxis / Journal for Technology Assessment in Theory and Practice. 31, 2, p. 18-24 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Negotiating Sustainability Transitions: Why Does It Matter? What Are the Challenges? How to Proceed?

    Majer, J. M. & Troetschel, R., 15.07.2022, In: Sustainability. 14, 14, 5 p., 8691.

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

  24. Published
  25. Published

    Interpersonal Physiological Synchrony Predicts Group Cohesion

    Tomashin, A., Gordon, I. & Wallot, S., 12.07.2022, In: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 16, 12 p., 903407.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Mythos: Unternehmen sind angesichts der steigenden Anforderungen aus Gesellschaft und Politik überfordert und müssen sich entscheiden: Circular Economy oder menschenrechtliche Sorgfaltspflichten?

    Moser, C. & Buhr, M., 12.07.2022, Mythen der Circular Economy. Böckel, A., Quaing, J., Weissbrod, I. & Böhm, J. (eds.). Dresden: Dresden University of Technology, p. 109 - 114 16 p.

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

  27. Published

    VALUES-BASED BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION-THE CASE OF ECOSIA AND ITS BUSINESS MODEL

    Ivanov, K., 09.07.2022, In: International Journal of Innovation Management. 26, 5, 41 p., 2240002.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    The Adaptive Test of Emotion Knowledge for 3-to 9-Year-Olds: Psychometric Properties and Validity

    Voltmer, K. & Salisch, M., 08.07.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13, 19 p., 901304.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  29. Published

    European Yearbook of International Economic Law 2021

    Bäumler, J. (Editor), Binder, C. (Editor), Bungenberg, M. (Editor), Krajewski, M. (Editor), Rühl, G. (Editor), Tams, C. J. (Editor), Terhechte, J. (Editor) & Ziegler, A. R. (Editor), 06.07.2022, Cham: Springer International Publishing. 369 p. (European Yearbook of International Economic Law; vol. 12)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  30. Published

    Adaption der Dokumentarischen Methode zur Bearbeitung von naturwissenschaftsdidaktischen Fragestellungen

    Plotz, T., Koliander, B. & Abels, S., 01.07.2022, Dokumentarische Unterrichtsforschung in den Fachdidaktiken : Theoretische Grundlagen und Forschungspraxis. Martnes, M., Asbrand, B., Buchborn, T. & Menthe, J. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 155-175 21 p. (Rekonstruktive Bildungsforschung; vol. 31).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  31. Published

    Blue-green light is required for a maximized fatty acid unsaturation and pigment concentration in the microalga Acutodesmus obliquus

    Helamieh, M., Reich, M., Bory, S., Rohne, P., Riebesell, U., Kerner, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.07.2022, In: Lipids. 57, 4-5, p. 221-232 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Characterising and identifying gaps in sustainability assessments of tourism - a review

    Balas, M. & Abson, D. J., 01.07.2022, In: Tourism Management Perspectives. 43, 101004.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  33. Published

    Confidence levels and likelihood terms in IPCC reports: a survey of experts from different scientific disciplines

    Kause, A., Bruine de Bruin, W., Persson, J., Thorén, H., Olsson, L., Wallin, A., Dessai, S. & Vareman, N., 01.07.2022, In: Climatic Change. 173, 1-2, 18 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    From negative to positive sustainability performance measurement and assessment? A qualitative inquiry drawing on framing effects theory

    Kühnen, M., Silva, S. & Hahn, R., 01.07.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 5, p. 1985-2001 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Inventory of biodegradation data of ionic liquids

    Amsel, A. K., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.07.2022, In: Chemosphere. 299, 134385.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Mythen der Circular Economy

    Böckel, A. (Editor), Quaing, J. (Editor), Weissbrod, I. (Editor) & Böhm, J. (Editor), 01.07.2022, Dresden: Dresden University of Technology. 125 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  37. Published

    Promoting pro-environmental behavior through citizen science? A case study with Chilean schoolchildren on marine plastic pollution.

    Wichmann , C. S., Fischer, D., Geiger, S. M., Honorato-Zimmer , D., Kruse, K., Knickmeier, K., Sundermann, A. & Thiel , M., 01.07.2022, In: Marine Policy. 141, 105035.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Two degrees and the SDGs: a network analysis of the interlinkages between transnational climate actions and the Sustainable Development Goals

    Coenen, J., Glass, L.-M. & Sanderink, L., 01.07.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 4, p. 1489–1510 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    What are mycorrhizal traits?

    Chaudhary, V. B., Holland, E. P., Charman-Anderson, S., Guzman, A., Bell-Dereske, L., Cheeke, T. E., Corrales, A., Duchicela, J., Egan, C., Gupta, M. M., Hannula, S. E., Hestrin, R., Hoosein, S., Kumar, A., Mhretu, G., Neuenkamp, L., Soti, P., Xie, Y. & Helgason, T., 01.07.2022, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 37, 7, p. 573-581 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  40. Published

    Zeit nachhaltig gestalten lernen: Schulschließungenals verpasste Chance?

    Fischer, D., Grauer, C. & Frank, P., 01.07.2022, In: Das Zeitpolitische Magazin. 19, 40, p. 26-28 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsTransfer

  41. Published

    Assessing the contribution of products to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: a methodological proposal

    Eberle, U., Wenzig, J. & Mumm, N., 07.2022, In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 27, 7, p. 959-977 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Interaktive Videoformate für den naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht: Vom Rezipieren zum Interagieren

    Meier, M., Stinken-Rösner, L. & Zeller, D., 07.2022, In: Unterricht Biologie. 475, p. 44-47 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  43. Published

    Sense of Place in Spatial Planning: Applying Instrumental and Deliberative Approaches at the River Lahn

    Gottwald, S., 30.06.2022, In: Landscape Online. 97, 13 p., 1100.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Forschendes Lernen in der angewandten Sozialpsychologie

    Schuster, C., 28.06.2022, Studentische Forschung im Praxissemester: Fallbeispiele aus der Lehrkräftebildung. Beckmann, T., Ehmke, T. & Besser, M. (eds.). Bad Heilbronn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 209-213 5 p.

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

  45. Published

    Projektband zum Forschenden Lernen im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Abels, S., 28.06.2022, Studentische Forschung im Praxissemester: Fallbeispiel aus der Lehrkräftebildung. Beckmann, T., Ehmke, T. & Besser, M. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 73-77 5 p.

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

  46. Published

    Videobasierte Professionalisierung von angehenden Lehrkräften für die Gestaltung inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Sachunterrichts

    Benthien, S., Brauns, S. & Abels, S., 28.06.2022, Studentische Forschung im Praxissemester: Fallbeispiele aus der Lehrkräftebildung. Beckmann, T., Ehmke, T. & Besser, M. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 78–98 21 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  47. Published

    Resource Allocation in Startup Teams: Exploring Entrepreneurial Coping with Radical Uncertainty during the Corona Pandemic

    Yahyaoui, Y., Farny, S., Jakob, E. & Steinmetz, H., 14.06.2022, Frontiers of entrepreneurship research 2021: proceedings. Zacharakis, A. (ed.). MDPI AG, p. 331-334 3 p. (Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research).

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

  48. Published

    Taxonomic revision of the African and Southwest Asian species of Platyderus Stephens, subg. Eremoderus Jeanne (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Sphodrini)

    Guéorguiev, B., Wrase, D. W., Assmann, T., Muilwijk, J. & Machard, P., 13.06.2022, In: Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 69, 1, p. 71-122 52 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Flavonoids as biopesticides – Systematic assessment of sources, structures, activities and environmental fate

    Schnarr, L., Segatto, M. L., Olsson, O., Zuin, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 10.06.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 824, 153781.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  50. Published

    Fashion consumption during COVID-19: Comparative analysis of changing acquisition practices across nine countries and implications for sustainability

    Vladimirova, K., Henninger, C. E., Joyner-martinez, C., Iran, S., Diddi, S., Durrani, M., Iyer, K., Jestratijevic, I., Mccormick, H., Niinimäki, K., Thangavelu, P., Sauerwein, M., Singh, R., Simek, P. & Wallaschkowski, S., 01.06.2022, In: Cleaner and Responsible Consumption. 5, 13 p., 100056.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  51. Published

    Give and take frames in shared-resource negotiations

    Majer, J., Zhang, K., Zhang, H., Höhne, B. & Trötschel, R., 01.06.2022, In: Journal of Economic Psychology. 90, 20 p., 102492.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review