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
Attitudes toward social and environmental scoring system: analysis of normative framing and individual influencing factors
Ahrari, D. & Süßmair, A., 03.2025, In: International Journal of Economics and Business Research. 29, 2, p. 159-183 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Chagga women´s connections with nature: fostering relationality through arts-based methods
Pearson, J., Massawe, J. J., Mbaruku, A. P., Mramba, E. I., Mwampamba, T. H. & Martín-López, B., 03.2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 21 p., 2459108.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Correction to: “We cannot escape this”: discussing leverage points for sustainability across scales with the example of Ouvéa, Kanaky New Caledonia (Regional Environmental Change, (2024), 24, 4, (146), 10.1007/s10113-024-02290-9)
Riechers, M., Baumann, L., Braun, M., Ganachaud, A., Heeg, P. & Sabinot, C., 03.2025, In: Regional Environmental Change. 25, 1, 2 p., 8.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Exploring priority and year effects on plant diversity, productivity and vertical root distribution: first insights from a grassland field experiment
Alonso-Crespo, I. M., Temperton, V., Fichtner, A., Niemeyer, T., Schloter, M. & Delory, B., 03.2025, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 36, 2, 41 p., e70026.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Impact of land transformation, management and governance on subjective wellbeing across social–ecological systems
Santillán-Carvantes, P., Tauro, A., Balvanera, P., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Castro, A. J., Quintas-Soriano, C. & Martín-López, B., 03.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 2, p. 469-483 15 p., 119369.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Interactive effects of nitrogen deposition and climate change on a globally rare forest geophyte
Ohse, B., Jansen, D., Härdtle, W. & Fichtner, A., 03.2025, In: Plant Biology. 27, 2, p. 297-309 13 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Introducing the MusicLab Copenhagen Dataset
Høffding, S., Bergstrøm, R. J. F., Bishop, L., Lucas, P., Burnim, K., Cancino-Chacón, C., Clim, A., Good, M., Hansen, N. C., Karlsen, E. S., Kvale, L. H., Laeng, B., Lartillot, O., Lippert, E., Martin, R., Nielsen, N., Omprakash, R., Paulsrud, T. S., Rosas, F., Swarbrick, D., Sørbø, S., Upham, F., Vrasdonk, A., Vuoskoski, J., Wallot, S., Yi, W., Danielsen, A. & Jensenius, A. R., 03.2025, In: Music and Science. 8, p. 1-7 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Is ‘waste’ an appropriate concept in a sustainable bioeconomy?
Halim, R., Iyer, A., Esteves, S. M., Milliken, S., Kalai, K., Pleissner, D., Stephan, L., Chentir, I., Ahmed, O., Nasri, W., Mohamed, S., Birkeland, N. K., Vanderschuren, H., Zainuddin, I. & Mburu, M., 03.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry One World. 5, 7 p., 100044.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
More than food production: Assemblages of values underpinning women-led agroecological initiatives
Vizuete, B., Groß, M., García-Llorente, M., Oteros-Rozas, E. & Martín-López, B., 03.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 3, p. 684-699 16 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
The role of emerging scientists in restoration ecology: insights from a SER2023 conference workshop
Weidlich, E. W. A., Amaral, V., Lengefeld, E., Reis, B. P., Garbowski, M., Martelli, E., Moraes, L. F. D. & Murphy, S. D., 03.2025, In: Restoration Ecology. 33, 3, 5 p., e14318.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Towards a global understanding of tree mortality
International Tree Mortality Network, Senf, C., Esquivel-Muelbert, A., Pugh, T. A. M. & Klipel, J., 03.2025, In: New Phytologist. 245, 6, p. 2377-2392 16 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Values-based barriers and good practices in sustainability-oriented innovation management
Ivanov, K., 03.2025, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 32, 2, p. 1393-1411 19 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
The Role of Individual Beliefs for Corporate Sustainability Transformations
Buhr, M. & Weissbrod, I., 28.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility. 27 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Key learnings from integrating sustainability in european higher education institutions: The value of networks and reflective leadership
Weiss, M., Mulà, I., Zimmermann, A. B. & Diethart, M., 20.02.2025, The Routledge Handbook of Global Sustainability Education and Thinking for the 21st Century. John, M. (ed.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 918-933 16 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Accelerating the industrial transition with safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD)
Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., Tickner, J. A., Dierckx, A., Kümmerer, K., Apel, C. & Strömberg, E., 17.02.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 5, p. 2185-2191 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Green Extraction and NMR Analysis of Bioactives from Orange Juice Waste
Penteado, P. S., Leal, M. C. B. D. M., Carosio, M. G. A., dos Santos, A., Segatto, M. L., Pavarini, D. P., da Silva, D. F., Amaral, J. C., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F., Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Ferreira, A. G., 14.02.2025, In: Foods. 14, 4, 14 p., 642.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Social perceptions of carnivores across the globe – a literature review
Newsom, A., Lozano, J. & Martín-López, B., 09.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 24 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Eco-pharma dilemma: Navigating environmental sustainability trade-offs within the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals – A comment
Moermond, C. T. A., Puhlmann, N., Pieters, L., Matharu, A., Boone, L., Dobbelaere, M., Proquin, H., Kümmerer, K., Ragas, A. M. J., Vidaurre, R., Venhuis, B. & De Smedt, D., 01.02.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 43, 10 p., 101893.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Framing resilience: Post-disaster communication in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Buelow, F., Brower, A. & Cradock-Henry, N., 01.02.2025, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 117, 13 p., 105167.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Political embedding of climate assemblies. How effective strategies for policy impact depend on context
Pfeffer, J. & Newig, J., 01.02.2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 164, 11 p., 103993.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Dichotomy or continuum? A global review of the interaction between autonomous and planned adaptations
Maskell, G., Shukla, R., Jagannathan, K., Browne, K., Ulibarri, N., Campbell, D., Franz, C. P., Grady, C., Joe, E. T., Kirchhoff, C. J., Madhavan, M., Michaud, L., Sharma, S., Singh, C., Orlove, B., Alverio, G. N., Ajibade, I., Bowen, K. J., Chauhan, N., Galappaththi, E. K., Hudson, A. J., Mach, K. J., Musah-Surugu, J. I., Petzold, J., Reckien, D., Schauberger, B., Segnon, A. C., van Bavel, B. & Gornott, C., 02.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 39 p., 18.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ecosystem service supply and (in)equality archetypes
Benra, F., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Fischer, J., 02.2025, In: Ecosystem Services. 71, 11 p., 101683.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities
Author Collaboration of "Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities", Hähn, G. J. A., Damasceno, G., Alvarez-Davila, E., Aubin, I., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E. & Haider, S., 02.2025, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 9, 2, p. 237-248 12 p., e12976.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Mental contrasting and conflict management in satisfied and unsatisfied romantic relationships
Jöhnk, H., Sevincer, A. T. & Oettingen, G., 02.2025, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 42, 2, p. 367-391 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Transformation towards the sustainable management of peatlands: A characterisation of farmers in the Teufelsmoor, Germany
Hünnebeck-Wells, A., Loos, J., Abel, S. & Nordt, A., 02.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 2, p. 346-359 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Detjen, L., Schröder, S., Schwenck, M., Summa, J., Schreiber, J. & von Wehrden, H., 20.01.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Cybermobbing, Hatespeech, Sexting und Cybergrooming. Online-Interaktionsrisiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen aus psychologischer Sicht
Paschel, F., Schultz, M., Salisch, M. & Pfetsch, J., 16.01.2025, Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 212 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
Fruit Detection and Yield Mass Estimation from a UAV Based RGB Dense Cloud for an Apple Orchard
Hobart, M., Pflanz, M., Tsoulias, N., Weltzien, C., Kopetzky, M. & Schirrmann, M., 16.01.2025, In: Drones. 9, 1, 19 p., 60.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Inventing a secure future: material stewardship as chemistry's mission for sustainability
Matlin, S. A., Cornell, S. E., Kümmerer, K., Mahaffy, P. G. & Mehta, G., 14.01.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 2, p. 804-821 18 p., d4su00576g.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
The use of functional traits in assessing productivity in natural ecosystems
Bordin, K. M., Morales, D. D. C., Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Kramer, J. M. F., Müller, S. C., Thomas, P. A. & Rosenfield, M. F., 01.01.2025, Plant Functional Traits: Linking Climate and Ecosystem Functioning. Kumar, M., Bussmann, R. W. & Swenson, N. G. (eds.). Elsevier, p. 111-133 23 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Published
Toward Sustainable Water Governance? Taking Stock of Paradigms, Practices, and Sustainability Outcomes
Bilalova, S., Newig, J. & Villamayor-Tomas, S., 01.01.2025, In: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water. 12, 1, 12 p., e1762.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
A cultural comparison of children’s emotion knowledge: Data from two cultures
Schapira, R., von Salisch, M. & Voltmer, K., 01.2025, In: International Journal of Behavioral Development. 49, 1, p. 38-48 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Development of environmentally biodegradable drugs: what are the key challenges?
Bertram, M. G., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Jörg, M., 01.2025, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery. 20, 1, p. 1-4 4 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Die unionsrechtliche Regulierung von Hafenauffangeinrichtungen für Schiffsabfälle durch die PRF-Richtlinie
Schatz, V. & Wanner, L., 01.2025, In: Natur und Recht. 47, 1, p. 13-19 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Interplays between relational and instrumental values: insights from research experiences on human–nature relations
Riechers, M., Pearson, J., Diaz-Cruz, N., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S. & Topp, E., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 287-298 12 p., 104232.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Orientation-driven photosynthesized carbon belowground mediates intercropped peanut microbiota changes for pathogen resistance
Lu, J., Shen, Y., He, G., Li, S., Kumar, A., Sun, B. & Chen, Y., 01.2025, In: Plant and Soil. 506, 1, p. 209-226 18 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Revisiting the sustainability science research agenda
Sahle, M., Lahoti, S. A., Lee, S. Y., Brundiers, K., van Riper, C. J., Pohl, C., Chien, H., Bohnet, I. C., Aguilar-Rivera, N., Edwards, P., Pradhan, P., Plieninger, T., Boonstra, W. J., Flor, A. G., Di Fabio, A., Scheidel, A., Gordon, C., Abson, D. J., Andersson, E., Demaria, F., Kenter, J. O., Brooks, J., Kauffman, J., Hamann, M., Graziano, M., Nagabhatla, N., Mimura, N., Fagerholm, N., O’Farrell, P., Saito, O. & Takeuchi, K., 01.2025, In: Sustainability Science. 20, 1, p. 1-19 19 p., e0261190.Research output: Journal contributions › Other (editorial matter etc.) › Research
- Published
Water-related problématiques: five archetypical contexts of water governance
Bilalova, S., Villamayor-Tomas, S. & Newig, J., 01.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 40 p., 10.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Alles nur ein Kampf? Schüler:innenvorstellungen zu Aspekten der Immunreaktion
Sowinski, R., Abels, S. & Hofer, E., 2025, In: Zeitschrift für Didaktik der Biologie (ZDB) - Biologie Lehren und Lernen. 30, 1, p. 25-48Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
A metacoupling lens on the co-production of nature’s contributions to people: Insights for sustainability
Mayer, A., Martín-López, B., Locatelli, B., Rabeschini, G., Liu, J., Loos, J., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Riechers, M. & Isaac, R., 2025, Ecological Horizons: From Nature to People. Dumbrell, A. J. (ed.). Academic Press Inc., p. 91-115 27 p. (Advances in Ecological Research; vol. 72, no. 1).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Conceptualizing transformative climate action: insights from sufficiency research
Richard, B., Nathan, B., Andreas, N. & Ernest, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Climate Policy. 20 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Accepted/In press
Digitale Gesundheitskompetenz an Schulen. Entwicklung eines Selbstbewertungsinstruments zur Erfassung organisationaler Bedingungen
Hartmann, A., Fischer, L., Rangnow, P., Stauch, L., Renninger, D., Okan, O. & Dadaczynski, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Pravention und Gesundheitsforderung.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Dynamics of the polycrisis: Temporal trends, spatial distribution and co-occurrences of national shocks (1970-2019)
Verzier, A., Bastien-Olvera, B. A., Benra, F., Nyström, M., Delannoy, L. & Jørgensen, P. S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Global Sustainability. 32 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Empowering Change: A Self-Control Perspective on How Choice Architecture Interventions Can Promote Sustainable Behavior Change
Engel, L., Kukowski, C. A. & Hahnel, U. J. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Motivation Science.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Impuls – Wandel kritisch-konstruktiv gestalten lernen: Das neue Modul „Transformation“ im Leuphana Semester
Picht-Wiggering, L., Bürgener, L., Fischer, D. & Nigro, R., 2025, Interdisziplinäre Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (I-BNE): Beiträge zur zweiten Fachkonferenz 2024 an der Technischen Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. Humburg, D., Dernbach, B. & Klages, M. (eds.). p. 5-14 10 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Education
- Accepted/In press
Inclusive transdisciplinarity: Embracing diverse ways of being and knowing through inner work
Manuel-Navarrete, D., Grauer, C., Brundiers, K., Chilisa, B., Bin Zanusi, Z. A., Seidel, T., Tolksdorf, F. & Lang, D. J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Ecology and Society.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Inner Development Goals zur Erreichung der Sustainable Development Goals – Ein Self-Assessment als Reflexionsanlass zum Einsatz in transformativen Lernprozessen
Hantke, H. & Lorch, A., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Klimawandel und Bildung – Interdisziplinäre Grundlagen und didaktische Impulse. Pijetlovic, D. & von Au, J. (eds.). MünchenResearch output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Accepted/In press
Inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschungsprojekte als Ansatz für eine transformative Hochschulbildung
Bürgener, L. & Meyer, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) Didaktik der Interdisziplinären Hochschullehre. Braßler, M., Lerch, S. & Brandstädter, S. (eds.).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Education › peer-review
- Submitted
Inter- und Transdisziplinarität
Weiser, A., Bürgener, L., Steinbrügge, F. & Lang, D. J., 2025, (Submitted) Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- Published
Kollaboratives Forschen und Lernen im Prozess bildungsbezogener Arbeit
Hantke, H. & Hantsch, R., 2025, In: berufsbildung - Zeitschrift für Theorie-Praxis-Dialog. 1/2025, 205Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review