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

    Time and sustainability: A missing link in formal education curricula

    Grauer, C., Fischer, D. & Frank, P., 29.03.2022, In: Journal of Environmental Education. 53, 1, p. 22-41 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Water, rivers and wetlands: Governance paradigms and principles

    Challies, E. & Newig, J., 25.03.2022, Routledge Handbook of Global Environmental Politics, Second Edition. Harris, P. G. (ed.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 512-525 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    “I’ll Worry About It Tomorrow” – Fostering Emotion Regulation Skills to Overcome Procrastination

    Schuenemann, L., Scherenberg, V., Eckert, M. & Salisch, M., 22.03.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 13, 13 p., 780675.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Green infrastructure connectivity analysis across spatiotemporal scales: A transferable approach in the Ruhr Metropolitan Area, Germany

    Wang, J., Rienow, A., David, M. & Albert, C., 20.03.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 813, 152463.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Neighbourhood Species Richness Reduces Crown Asymmetry of Subtropical Trees in Sloping Terrain

    Perles García, M. D., Kunz, M., Fichtner, A., Meyer, N., Härdtle, W. & von Oheimb, G., 16.03.2022, In: Remote Sensing. 14, 6, 14 p., 1441.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Three source-partitioning of CO2 fluxes based on a dual-isotope approach to investigate interactions between soil organic carbon, glucose and straw

    Chen, Z., Kumar, A., Brookes, P. C., Kuzyakov, Y., Luo, Y. & Xu, J., 10.03.2022, In: Science of the Total Environment. 811, 10 p., 152163.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices, and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C., Sielker, F., Smith, G. & Crawford, J., 04.03.2022, In: Planning Practice and Research. 37, 2, p. 131-135 5 p.

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

  9. Published

    An automated, modular system for organic waste utilization using heterotrophic alga Galdieria sulphuraria: Design considerations and sustainability

    Julius Pahmeyer, M., Anusha Siddiqui, S., Pleissner, D., Gołaszewski, J., Heinz, V. & Smetana, S., 01.03.2022, In: Bioresource Technology. 348, 7 p., 126800.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Circular business models for the fastmoving consumer goods industry: Desirability, feasibility, and viability

    Bocken, N. M. P., Harsch, A. & Weissbrod, I., 01.03.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 30, p. 799-814 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Conceptualizing community in energy systems: A systematic review of 183 definitions

    Bauwens, T., Schraven, D., Drewing, E., Radtke, J., Holstenkamp, L., Gotchev, B. & Yildiz, Ö., 01.03.2022, In: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 156, 16 p., 111999.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published
  13. Published

    Fire and landscape context shape plant and butterfly diversity in a South African shrubland

    Topp, E. N., Tscharntke, T. & Loos, J., 01.03.2022, In: Diversity and Distributions. 28, 3, p. 357-371 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    How cognitive issue bracketing affects interdependent decision-making in negotiations

    Warsitzka, M., Zhang, H., Loschelder, D. D., Majer, J. & Trötschel, R., 01.03.2022, In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 99, 16 p., 104268.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops

    Griffiths, M., Delory, B. M., Jawahir, V., Wong, K. M., Bagnall, G. C., Dowd, T. G., Nusinow, D. A., Miller, A. J. & Topp, C. N., 01.03.2022, In: Plant Cell and Environment. 45, 3, p. 751-770 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas

    Stefano, N. & Pleissner, D., 01.03.2022, In: Journal of Soils and Sediments. 22, 3, p. 757-768 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Reducing problematic alcohol use in employees: economic evaluation of guided and unguided web-based interventions alongside a three-arm randomized controlled trial

    Buntrock, C., Freund, J., Smit, F., Riper, H., Lehr, D., Boss, L., Berking, M. & Ebert, D. D., 01.03.2022, In: Addiction: The British journal of addiction to alcohol and other drugs. 117, 3, p. 611-622 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Reinforcing or counterproductive behaviors for sustainable entrepreneurship? The influence of causation and effectuation on sustainability orientation

    Johnson, M. P. & Hörisch, J., 01.03.2022, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 31, 3, p. 908-920 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    The ten principles of green sample preparation

    López-Lorente, Á. I., Pena-Pereira, F., Pedersen-Bjergaard, S., Zuin, V. G., Ozkan, S. A. & Psillakis, E., 01.03.2022, In: TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 148, 10 p., 116530.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  20. Published

    Transdisciplinary co-creation increases the utilization of knowledge from sustainable development research

    Jacobi, J., Llanque, A., Mukhovi, S. M., Birachi, E. A., von Groote, P. M., Eschen, R., Hilber-Schöb, I., Kiba, D. I., Frossard, E. & Robledo-Abad, C., 01.03.2022, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 129, p. 107-115 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Urgent need for updating the slogan of global climate actions from 'tree planting' to 'restore native vegetation'

    Tölgyesi, C., Buisson, E., Helm, A., Temperton, V. & Török, P., 01.03.2022, In: Restoration Ecology. 30, 3, 4 p., e13594.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Planning for Sea Spaces I: Processes, Practices and Future Perspectives

    Walsh, C. (Editor), Sielker, F. (Editor), Smith, G. (Editor) & Crawford, J. (Editor), 03.2022, London: Taylor and Francis Inc. 138 p. (Planning Practice and Research; vol. 37, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  23. Published

    Using a leverage points perspective to compare social-ecological systems: a case study on rural landscapes

    Fischer, J., Abson, D., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Hartel, T., Schultner, J. & Sherrene, K., 03.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 119-130 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Der europäische Weg

    Cieslewicz, K., Lang, D. & Barth, M., 28.02.2022, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 37, 1, p. 8–9 2 p.

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

  25. Published

    Almost there: On the importance of a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem for developing sustainable urban food forest enterprises

    Wiek, A. & Albrecht, S., 23.02.2022, In: Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems. 7, 1, 14 p., e20025.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Engaging Refugees With a Culturally Adapted Digital Intervention to Improve Sleep: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

    Spanhel, K., Hovestadt, E., Lehr, D., Spiegelhalder, K., Baumeister, H., Bengel, J. & Sander, L. B., 23.02.2022, In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13, 13 p., 832196.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    You Are Where You Eat: A Theoretical Perspective on Why Identity Matters in Local Food Groups

    Poeggel, K., 23.02.2022, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 6, 13 p., 782556.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    A whole-institution approach towards sustainability: a crucial aspect of higher education’s individual and collective engagement with the SDGs and beyond

    Kohl, K., Hopkins, C., Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Dlouhá, J., Razak, D. A., Abidin Bin Sanusi, Z. & Toman, I., 21.02.2022, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 23, 2, p. 218-236 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Namibia, Christianity in

    Oermann, N. O., 17.02.2022, The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Church: K-Z. Louth, A. (ed.). 4. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Vol. 2. (Oxford Dictionary of Christian Churches).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  30. Published

    Palaeoecological Interpretation of a Late Holocene Sediment Sequence from the Alpine Belt of the Southern Mongolian Altai Mountains

    Goenster-Jordan, S., Urban, B. & Buerkert, A., 17.02.2022, In: Open Quaternary. 8, 1, 18 p., 2.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Invertebrate herbivory rather than competition with tussocks will increasingly delay highland forest regeneration in degraded areas under active restoration

    Renison, D., Rodriguez, J. M., García Cannata, L., von Wehrden, H. & Hensen, I., 15.02.2022, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 506, 119990.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Solketal as a renewable fuel component in ternary blends with biodiesel and diesel fuel or HVO and the impact on physical and chemical properties

    Türck, J., Singer, A., Lichtinger, A., Almaddad, M., Türck, R., Jakob, M., Garbe, T., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 15.02.2022, In: Fuel. 310, Part C, 122463.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Waste to food: returning nutrients to the food chain

    Smetana, S. (Editor), Pleißner, D. (Editor) & Zuin Zeidler, V. (Editor), 15.02.2022, Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers. 300 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  34. Published

    An Outcome-Oriented, Social-Ecological Framework for Assessing Protected Area Effectiveness

    Ghoddousi, A., Loos, J. & Kümmerle, T., 01.02.2022, In: BioScience / American Institute of Biological Sciences. 72, 2, p. 201-212 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Broadening the scope of ecosystem services research: Disaggregation as a powerful concept for sustainable natural resource management

    Brück, M., Abson, D. J., Fischer, J. & Schultner, J., 01.02.2022, In: Ecosystem Services. 53, 11 p., 101399.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Chemistry and materials science for a sustainable circular polymeric economy

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Kümmerer, K., 01.02.2022, In: Nature Reviews Materials. 7, 2, p. 76-78 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  37. Published

    Essential ecosystem service variables for monitoring progress towards sustainability

    Balvanera, P., Brauman, K. A., Cord, A. F., Drakou, E. G., Geijzendorffer, I. R., Karp, D. S., Martín-López, B., Mwampamba, T. H. & Schröter, M., 01.02.2022, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 54, 9 p., 101152.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Falling “fortresses”: Unlocking Governance Entanglements and Shifting Knowledge Paradigms to Counter Climate Change Threats in Biodiversity Conservation

    Ghosh, A., Sen, A., Dutta, K. & Ghosh, P., 01.02.2022, In: Environmental Management. 69, 2, p. 305-322 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Kinetic and Stoichiometric Modeling-Based Analysis of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Production Potential by Crypthecodinium cohnii from Glycerol, Glucose and Ethanol

    Berzins, K., Muiznieks, R., Baumanis, M. R., Strazdina, I., Shvirksts, K., Prikule, S., Galvanauskas, V., Pleissner, D., Pentjuss, A., Grube, M., Kalnenieks, U. & Stalidzans, E., 01.02.2022, In: Marine Drugs. 20, 2, 18 p., 115.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Klimaschutzmaßnahmen im Lichte des Welthandelsrechts

    Bäumler, J. & Dorwig, J., 01.02.2022, In: Klima und Recht - KlimR. 1, 2, p. 38-42 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  41. Published

    Potential supply and actual use of cultural ecosystem services in mountain protected areas and their surroundings

    Crouzat, E., De Frutos, A., Grescho, V., Carver, S., Büermann, A., Carvalho-Santos, C., Kraemer, R., Mayor, S., Pöpperl, F., Rossi, C., Schröter, M., Stritih, A., Sofia Vaz, A., Watzema, J. & Bonn, A., 01.02.2022, In: Ecosystem Services. 53, 12 p., 101395.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Spatial variation in human disturbances and their effects on forest structure and biodiversity across an Afromontane forest

    Beche, D., Tack, A., Nemomissa, S., Warkineh, B., Lemessa, D., Rodrigues, P., Fischer, J. & Hylander, K., 01.02.2022, In: Landscape Ecology. 37, 2, p. 493-510 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Advancing research on ecosystem service bundles for comparative assessments and synthesis

    Meacham, M., Norströma, A. V., Peterson, G. D., Andersson, E., Bennett, E. M., Biggs, R., Crouzat, E., Cord, A. F., Enfors, E., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Fischer, J., Hamann, M., Hanspach, J., Hicks, C., Jacobs, S., Lavorel, S., Locatelli, B., Martín-López, B., Plieninger, T. & Queiroz, C., 02.2022, In: Ecosystems and People. 18, 1, p. 99-111 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Der Scheidige Gelbstern (Gagea spathacea): Schutzstrategien für eine Verantwortungsart in Deutschland

    Fichtner, A., Jansen, D., Härdtle, W., Matthies, D., Arnold, V., Erfmeier, A., Hemke, T., Lütt, S., Schmidt, M., Sturm, K., von Oheimb, G., Wiebe, C. & Ohse, B., 02.2022, In: Natur und Landschaft. 97, 2, p. 71-77 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Entrepreneurship-driven organizational transformation for sustainability: a sensemaking lens

    Hübel, C., 24.01.2022, In: Journal of Organizational Change Management. 35, 1, p. 240-256 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Quantum Chemical Calculation and Evaluation of Partition Coefficients for Classical and Emerging Environmentally Relevant Organic Compounds

    Salthammer, T., Grimme, S., Stahn, M., Hohm, U. & Palm, W. U., 04.01.2022, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 56, 1, p. 379-391 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Telecoupling as a framework to support a more nuanced understanding of causality in land system science

    Busck-Lumholt, L. M., Coenen, J., Persson, J., Frohn Pedersen, A., Mertz, O. & Corbera, E., 02.01.2022, In: Journal of Land Use Science. 17, 1, p. 386-406 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    A feminist ethos for caring knowledge production in transdisciplinary sustainability science

    Staffa, R. K., Riechers, M. & Martín-López, B., 01.01.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 1, p. 45-63 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Barriers to a sustainability transformation of meat production practices - An industry actor perspective

    Huebel, C. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 29, p. 128-140 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Best practice for bio-waste collection as a prerequisite for high-quality compost

    Friege, H. & Eger, Y., 01.01.2022, In: Waste Management and Research. 40, 1, p. 104-110 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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