School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- Published
Tree diversity, tree growth, and microclimate independently structure Lepidoptera herbivore community stability
Wang, M. Q., Albert, G., Chesters, D., Bruelheide, H., Li, Y., Chen, J. T., Haider, S., Li, S., von Oheimb, G., Proß, T., Schnabel, F., Yang, B., Zhou, Q. S., Ma, K., Liu, X., Zhu, C. D., Luo, A. & Schuldt, A., 08.2025, In: Ecological Monographs. 95, 3, 22 p., e70026.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Using causal loop diagrams to see the “big picture” and embrace complexity in human-wildlife coexistence governance
Kansky, R., Riechers, M. & Fischer, J., 08.2025, In: Biological Conservation. 308, 13 p., 111198.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Variable social-ecological indicators across a Tanzanian protected area network
Vallin, J., Raycraft, J., Bettermann, D., Kioko, J., Kissui, B. M., Koester, S., Lindsay, K., Ole, E. M., Ramirez, E., Spizuco, B., Loos, J. & Kiffner, C., 08.2025, In: Biological Conservation. 308, 25 p., 111214.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Weaving values, knowledge and context to care for human–nature relationships in protected areas
Cebrián-Piqueras, M. A., van Riper, C. J., Andrade, R., Raymond, C. M., Goodson, D. J., Keller, R. & Plieninger, T., 08.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 8, p. 1952-1971 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
With or against the river? Tracing changes and relationships between social and ecological systems on the central Vistula floodplain over the last 200 years
Sobechowicz, Ł., Obremska, M., Brykała, D., Ćwiek-Rogalska, K., Gąsiorowski, M., Konopski, M., Łotysz, S., Mulczyk, A., Samojlik, T., Siwek, W. A., Słowiński, M., Szewczyk, K., Stadnicka, M., Targowski, M., Theuerkauf, M., Wolski, J. & Związek, T., 08.2025, In: Anthropocene Review. 12, 2, p. 302-326 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Does participatory governance help address long-term environmental problems? Conceptualization and evidence from 23 democracies
Rose, M., Newig, J. & Jager, N. W., 21.07.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Policy Studies. p. 1-25 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Integrating sufficiency in the trade and biodiversity agenda of the European Union
Roux, N., Coenen, J., Fleischmann, B., Cotta, B., Dorninger, C., Erb, K. H., Haberl, H., Kaufmann, L., Mayer, A. & Newig, J., 18.07.2025, In: One Earth. 8, 7, 17 p., 101347.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Within-individual leaf trait response to local light availability and biodiversity in a subtropical forest experiment
Proß, T., Bruelheide, H. & Haider, S., 18.07.2025, In: Ecology. 106, 7, 17 p., e70160.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Why context matters: Understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors
Tolksdorf, F., Jimenez-Aceituno, A., Frölich, N. M., Amoah, N. A. B., Grauer, C., Baird, J., Ballnat, C., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., König, B., Pedersen, R. L., Costa, M. M., Manuel-Navarrete, D., Martin, D. A., McGlynn, B., Mehring, M., Mühlthaler, S., Schneider, F., Singer-Brodowski, M., Vilalba, L., Weiser, A. & Lang, D. J., 12.07.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research. 37 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Improving forest ecosystem functions by optimizing tree species spatial arrangement
Beugnon, R., Albert, G., Hähn, G., Yu, W., Haider, S., Hättenschwiler, S., Davrinche, A., Rosenbaum, B., Gauzens, B. & Eisenhauer, N., 09.07.2025, In: Nature Communications. 16, 1, 10 p., 6286.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Wissenschaftsorganisationen als Impulsgeber einer Nachhaltigkeitstransformation
Nölting, B., Kopfmüller, J., Zimmermann, A. B., Bernert, P., Barth, M., Becker, S., Fischer, D., Molitor, H., Pechlaner, H., Schneider, F., Schweizer, P. J., Stamm, C., Wäger, P. & Wilhelm, R., 05.07.2025, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 34, 2, p. 83-87 5 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Effectiveness of an integrated platform-based intervention for promoting psychosocial safety climate and mental health in nursing staff: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial
Boß, L., Ross, J., Reis, D., Pischel, S., Mallwitz, T., Brückner, H., Tanner, G., Nissen, H., Kalon, L., Schümann, M., Lennefer, T., Janneck, M., Felfe, J., Ducki, A. & Lehr, D., 01.07.2025, In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. 167, 14 p., 105076.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Gute Betreuung, faire Bewertungen und angemessene Arbeitsbedingungen ermoglichen exzellente Promotionen in der Psychologie: Kommentar der Jungmitgliedervertretung der DGPs zum Positionspapier
Sperl, M. F. J., Attig, C., Baumgartner, L., Behlau, C., Bergmann, B., Bienefeld, M., Biller, A. M., Brandt, N. D., Buhler, J. L., Frauhammer, L. T., Frick, S., Friehs, M. T., Frischen, U., Handke, L., Hartmann, H., Hosterey, S., Hutmacher, F., Iffland, J. A., Irmer, J. P., Kause, A., Kern, M., Koller, J. E., Mischkowski, D., Musculus, L., Neef, N. E., Neuendorf, C., Nishen, A. K., Possler, D., Ritter, R., Rohr, M., Schmidt, V., Schwartz, B., Sensoy, O., Szota, K., Voormann, A. & Wendt, A. N., 01.07.2025, In: Psychologische Rundschau. 76, 3, p. 196-199 4 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
The multifaceted spectra of power − A participatory network analysis on power structures in diverse dryland regions
Olofsson, V., Garcia, M. M., Castro, A. J., Calderón, S. C., Diallo, A. H., Aceituno, A. J., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Gonzalez, T. S., Silvino, A. S. & Aguiar, A. P., 01.07.2025, In: Global Environmental Change. 92, 12 p., 102984.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Unveiling disparities between planned and perceived equity arrangements in protected area co-governance: Evidence from the North Luangwa Ecosystem in Zambia
Kachali, R. N. & Loos, J., 01.07.2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 169, 9 p., 104068.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Disabling barriers—Coping with accessibility of nature in Biosphere Reserves
Winkler, K. J., Kosanic, A. & Martín-López, B., 07.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 7, p. 1483-1490 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Engaging with justice in integrated landscape approaches
Zafra-Calvo, N., Altmann, B. A., Chowdhury, K., Cortes-Capano, G., Flinzberger, L., Heindorf, C., Huber, J., Jay, M., Kmoch, L. M., Polas, A. B., Svobodova, K., Thapa, P. & Plieninger, T., 07.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 3, 30 p., 6.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Enhancing the transformative potential of sustainability innovations: An application of the values-rules-knowledge framework
Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 07.2025, In: Ambio. 54, 7, p. 1250-1266 17 p., 102273.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Foliar Endophytic Fungal Communities Are Driven by Leaf Traits—Evidence From a Temperate Tree Diversity Experiment
Köhler, M., Castro Sánchez-Bermejo, P., Hähn, G., Ferlian, O., Eisenhauer, N., Wubet, T., Haider, S. & Bruelheide, H., 07.2025, In: Ecology and Evolution. 15, 7, 15 p., e71691.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
INEQUALITY REDUCES SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
Brieger, S., Hörisch, J. & Zhang, X., 07.2025, In: Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings. 2025, 1Research output: Journal contributions › Conference article in journal › Research › peer-review