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. 2021
  2. Published

    Interactions between species richness, herbivory and precipitation affect standing biomass in Mongolian rangelands

    Ahlborn, J., Wesche, K., Lang, B., Oyunbileg, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Römermann, C., French Collier, N. & von Wehrden, H., 01.04.2021, In: Applied Vegetation Science. 24, 2, 12 p., e12581.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Plant intraspecific competition and growth stage alter carbon and nitrogen mineralization in the rhizosphere

    Sun, Y., Zang, H., Splettstößer, T., Kumar, A., Xu, X., Kuzyakov, Y. & Pausch, J., 01.04.2021, In: Plant, Cell and Environment. 44, 4, p. 1231-1242 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Predicting the impacts of human population growth on forest mammals in the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Dorresteijn, I., Guilherme, J. L., Hanspach, J., De Beenhouwer, M., Hylander, K., Bekele, B., Senbeta, F., Fischer, J. & Nimmo, D., 01.04.2021, In: Biological Conservation. 256, 109046.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    What the eyes reveal about (reading) poetry

    Menninghaus, W. & Wallot, S., 01.04.2021, In: Poetics. 85, 15 p., 101526.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    A systematic literature review of crowdfunding and sustainability: highlighting what really matters

    Böckel, A., Hörisch, J. & Tenner, I. M., 04.2021, In: Management Review Quarterly. 71, 2, p. 433-453 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Governance Challenges at the Interface of Food Security and Biodiversity Conservation: A Multi-Level Case Study from Ethiopia

    Jiren, T. S., Leventon, J., Jager, N. W., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J., Senbeta, F., Bergsten, A. & Fischer, J., 04.2021, In: Environmental Management. 67, 4, p. 717-730 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Soil chemical legacies trigger species-specific and context-dependent root responses in later arriving plants

    Delory, B. M., Schempp, H., Spachmann, S. M., Störzer, L., van Dam, N. M., Temperton, V. M. & Weinhold, A., 04.2021, In: Plant, Cell and Environment. 44, 4, p. 1215-1230 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Materials and Energy Accounting

    Burritt, R., Christ, K. & Schaltegger, S., 31.03.2021, Routledge Handbook of Environmental Accounting. Bebbington, J., Larrinaga, C., O'Dwyer, B. & Thomson, I. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 207-223 17 p.

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

  10. Published

    Urban storm water infiltration systems are not reliable sinks for biocides: evidence from column experiments

    Bork, M., Lange, J., Graf-Rosenfellner, M., Hensen, B., Olsson, O., Hartung, T., Fernández-Pascual, E. & Lang, F., 31.03.2021, In: Scientific Reports. 11, 1, 12 p., 7242.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Contextualising urban experimentation: Analysing the utopiastadt campus case with the theory of strategic action fields

    Wanner, M., Bachmann, B. & Von Wirth, T., 26.03.2021, In: Urban Planning. 6, 1, p. 235-248 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    12 Fragen an Sabine Hofmeister

    Hofmeister, S., 25.03.2021, In: GAIA. 30, 1, p. 4-5 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  13. Published

    Crowdfunding sustainable entrepreneurship: What are the characteristics of crowdfunding investors?

    Tenner, I. M. & Hörisch, J., 25.03.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 290, 9 p., 125667.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Seven years of the GAIA Masters Student Paper Award

    Fischer, D., 25.03.2021, In: GAIA. 30, 1, p. 1-1 1 p.

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

  15. Published

    The knowledge transfer potential of online data pools on nature-based solutions

    Schröter, B., Zingraff-Hamed, A., Ott, E., Huang, J., Hüesker, F., Nicolas, C. & Schröder, N. J. S., 25.03.2021, In: Science of the Total Environment. 762, 11 p., 143074.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Transdisziplinäre Forschung mit transformativem Anspruch Zehn Jahre NaWis: Rückblick und Vorausschau

    Lang, D. J., Renn, O., Rehm, A. & Ernst, A., 25.03.2021, In: GAIA. 30, 1, p. 51-53 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  17. Published

    Education and Training

    Bäumler, J. & Schomerus, T., 23.03.2021, The Paris Agreement on Climate Change: A Commentary. Calster, G. V. & Reins, L. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 284-301 18 p. (Elgar Commentaries series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  18. Published

    Modification of the Lipid Profile of the Initial Oral Biofilm In Situ Using Linseed Oil as Mouthwash

    Kensche, A., Reich, M., Hannig, C., Kümmerer, K. & Hannig, M., 19.03.2021, In: Nutrients. 13, 3, p. 1-13 13 p., 989.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Drivers and Barriers of Implementing Sustainability Curricula in Higher Education - Assumptions and Evidence

    Weiß, M., Barth, M., Wiek, A. & Wehrden, H., 12.03.2021, In: Higher Education Studies. 11, 2, p. 42 - 64 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  20. Published

    Tree species richness modulates water supply in the local tree neighbourhood: evidence from wood δ13C signatures in a large-scale forest experiment

    Jansen, K., von Oheimb, G., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W. & Fichtner, A., 10.03.2021, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 288, 1946, 8 p., 3100.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Seasonal and Spatial Detection of Pesticide Residues Under Various Weather Conditions of Agricultural Areas of the Kilombero Valley Ramsar Site, Tanzania

    Materu, S. F., Heise, S. & Urban, B., 09.03.2021, In: Frontiers in Environmental Science. 9, 16 p., 599814.

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

  22. Published

    'Climate neutral' is a lie - abandon it as a goal

    Kemfert, C., 04.03.2021, In: Nature. 591, 7848, p. 34 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  23. Published

    Creating leadership collectives for sustainability transformations

    Care, O., Bernstein, M. J., Chapman, M., Diaz Reviriego, I., Dressler, G., Felipe-Lucia, M. R., Friis, C., Graham, S., Hänke, H., Haider, L. J., Hernández-Morcillo, M., Hoffmann, H., Kernecker, M., Nicol, P., Piñeiro, C., Pitt, H., Schill, C., Seufert, V., Shu, K., Valencia, V. & Zaehringer, J. G., 04.03.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 2, p. 703-708 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Evaluating a hybrid web-based training program for panic disorder and agoraphobia: Randomized controlled trial

    Ebenfeld, L., Lehr, D., Ebert, D. D., Stegemann, S. K., Riper, H., Funk, B. & Berking, M., 04.03.2021, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23, 3, 14 p., e20829.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published
  26. Published

    Akzeptanz und Nutzung der FDS-Methoden durch die Fachkräfte

    Wübker, M. & Salisch, M., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 69-80 12 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  27. Published

    Aufbau der Evaluation

    Wübker, M., Voltmer, K., Cloos, P. & Salisch, M., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 53-68 16 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  28. Published

    Characterization of selected microalgae and cyanobacteria as sources of compounds with antioxidant capacity

    Almendinger, M., Saalfrank, F., Rohn, S., Kurth, E., Springer, M. & Pleissner, D., 01.03.2021, In: Algal Research. 53, 102168.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Das Konzept

    Salisch, M. & Cloos, P., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 7-12 6 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  30. Published

    Die FDS-Förderkonzeption: Über Sprache wissenschaftliches Denken und Emotionswissen aufbauen

    Voltmer, K., Skowronek, M., Salisch, M. & Koch, K., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 41-51 11 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  31. Published

    Gender differences in knowledge, use, and collection of wild edible plants in three spanish areas

    Acosta-Naranjo, R., Rodríguez-Franco, R., Guzmán-Troncoso, A. J., Pardo-De-santayana, M., Aceituno-Mata, L., Gómez-Melara, J., Domínguez-Gregorio, P., Díaz-Reviriego, I., González-Nateras, J. & Reyes-García, V., 01.03.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 5, p. 1-16 16 p., 2639.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Plastics in our ocean as transdisciplinary challenge

    Riechers, M., Fanini, L., Apicella, A., Galván, C. B., Blondel, E., Espiña, B., Kefer, S., Keroullé, T., Klun, K., Pereira, T. R., Ronchi, F., Rodríguez, P. R., Sardon, H., Silva, A. V., Stulgis, M. & Ibarra-González, N., 01.03.2021, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 164, 5 p., 112051.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Sprache und Emotionswissen

    Salisch, M. & Wübker, M., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 33-40 8 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  34. Published

    The concept of resilience in recent sustainability research

    Nüchter, V., Abson, D. J., von Wehrden, H. & Engler, J. O., 01.03.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 5, p. 1-21 21 p., 2735.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Transdisciplinary sustainability research in real-world labs: success factors and methods for change

    Bergmann, M., Schäpke, N., Marg, O., Stelzer, F., Lang, D. J., Bossert, M., Gantert, M., Häußler, E., Marquardt, E., Piontek, F. M., Potthast, T., Rhodius, R., Rudolph, M., Ruddat, M., Seebacher, A. & Sußmann, N., 01.03.2021, In: Sustainability Science. 16, 2, p. 541-564 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Wie wirkt die FDS-Intervention auf die Entwicklung des Emotionswissens der Kinder?

    Salisch, M. & Voltmer, K., 01.03.2021, Fühlen Denken Sprechen: Alltagsintegrierte Sprachbildung in Kindertageseinrichtungen. von Salisch, M., Hormann, O., Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 159-170 12 p. (Sprachliche Bildung; vol. 7).

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

  37. Published

    Does money "buy" tolerance toward damage-causing wildlife?

    Kansky, R., Kidd, M. & Fischer, J., 03.2021, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 3, 3, 16 p., e262.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Editorial

    Hofer, E. & Lembens, A., 03.2021, In: PLUS LUCIS. 2021, 1, p. 3 1 p.

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

  39. Published

    Forschendes Lernen: Eine Einführung

    Hofer, E. & Lembens, A., 03.2021, In: PLUS LUCIS. 2021, 1, p. 4-7 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  40. Published

    Forschendes Lernen: Beiträge aus dem Chemie- und Sachunterricht

    Hofer, E. (Editor) & Lembens, A. (Editor), 03.2021, Wien: Verein zur Förderung des physikalischen und chemischen Unterrichts. 40 p. (Plus Lucis; vol. 2021, no. 1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  41. Published

    Kommentar der Herausgeberinnen: Was ist drin, wenn Forschendes Lernen draufsteht?

    Hofer, E. & Lembens, A., 03.2021, In: PLUS LUCIS. 1/2021, p. 29 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsTransfer

  42. Published

    Systematic learning in water governance: insights from five local adaptive management projects for water quality innovation

    Kochskämper, E., Koontz, T. M. & Newig, J., 03.2021, In: Ecology and Society. 26, 1, 13 p., 22.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    The early bird catches the worm: an empirical analysis of imprinting in social entrepreneurship

    Dickel, P., Sienknecht, M. & Hörisch, J., 03.2021, In: Journal of Business Economics : JBE. 91, 2, p. 127-150 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Utilization of digested sewage sludge in lactic acid fermentation

    Pleissner, D., Krieg, C. & Peinemann, J. C., 03.2021, In: Detritus - Multidisciplinary Journal for Waste Resource & Residues. 14, p. 48-53 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Virtuelles Experimentieren mit PhET Simulationen

    Stinken-Rösner, L., 03.2021, In: Digital unterrichten. Biologie. 2021, 3, p. 2-2 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsEducation

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Education in green chemistry and in sustainable chemistry: perspectives towards sustainability

    Zuin, V. G., Eilks, I., Elschami, M. & Kümmerer, K., 21.02.2021, In: Green Chemistry . 23, 4, p. 1594-1608 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Diversity lost: COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment

    Cazzolla Gatti, R., Menéndez, L. P., Laciny, A., Bobadilla Rodríguez, H., Bravo Morante, G., Carmen, E., Dorninger, C., Fabris, F., Grunstra, N. D. S., Schnorr, S. L., Stuhlträger, J., Villanueva Hernandez, L. A., Jakab, M., Sarto-Jackson, I. & Caniglia, G., 20.02.2021, In: Science of the Total Environment. 756, 14 p., 144014.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  49. Published

    Regional electricity models for community energy in germany: The role of governance structures

    Ehrtmann, M., Holstenkamp, L. & Becker, T., 19.02.2021, In: Sustainability. 13, 4, p. 1-24 24 p., 2241.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Similar yield benefits of hybrid, conventional, and organic tomato and sweet pepper varieties under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions

    Ficiciyan, A. M., Loos, J. & Tscharntke, T., 19.02.2021, In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 5, 11 p., 628537.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Aesthetic Expertise for Sustainable Development: Envisioning Artful Scientific Policy Advice

    Heinrichs, H., 10.02.2021, In: World. 2, 1, p. 92-104 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review