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. 2020
  2. In preparation

    Driesch und Uexküll

    Schmieg, G., 03.2026, Plessner Handbuch: Leben – Werk – Wirkung. Fischer, J. (ed.). J.B. Metzler, 6 p. Kap.II.8

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  3. Published

    Editorial

    Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K., 2020, "Brüche und Brücken" - Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 9-14 6 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 30).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  4. Published

    Educating Future Change Agents: Research instruments applied in case studies on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development

    Brandt, J.-O., Bürgener, L., Redman, A. & Barth, M., 2020, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 45 p.

    Research output: Working paperResearch communication reportsResearch

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Facilitating collaborative processes in transdisciplinary research using design prototyping

    Peukert, D., Lam, D. P. M., Horcea-Milcu, A. I. & Lang, D. J., 2020, In: Journal of Design Research. 18, 5-6, p. 294-326 33 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Forschendes Lernen auf Hochschul- und Unterrichtsebene beforschen

    Brauns, S., Egger, D. & Abels, S., 2020, Forschendes Lernen. Eghtessad, A., Kosler, T. & Oberhauser, C. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 201-211 11 p. (Transfer Forschung ↔ Schule; vol. 6, no. 6).

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

  8. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht

    Abels, S., Brauns, S. & Egger, D., 2020, In: IMST Newsletter. 17, 50, p. 10-14 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im Masterstudiengang Systems Engineering: Bausteine erhalten, Bausteine zusammensetzen, Ergebnisse reflektieren

    Bačić, I., Rodenhauser, A., Colombi Ciacchi, L. & Bernd, K., 2020, Forschendes Lernen als Studiengangsprofil: Zum Lehrprofil einer Universität. Thomas, H., Henning, K. & Peter, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 285-300 16 p.

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

  10. Published

    Forschendes Lernen im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht: Begrifflichkeiten, Ausprägungen, Zielsetzungen

    Hofer, E. & Puddu, S., 2020, transfer Forschung - Schule: Forschendes Lernen. Eghtessad, A., Kosler, T. & Oberhauser, C. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, Vol. 6. p. 57-71 15 p. (transfer Forschung ↔Schule; no. 6).

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

  11. Published

    Fragmentierung und lineare Lebensraumstrukturen - eine entomologische Perspektive

    Aßmann, T., Boutaud, E., Buse, J., Drees, C., Finck, P., Grabener, S., Härdtle, W., Riecken, U. & Ullrich, K., 2020, Wildnis im Dialog : Aktuelle Beiträge zur Wildnisentwicklung in Deutschland von den Tagungen „Neue Chancen für mehr Wildnis“ vom 26. - 29. November 2018 an der Internationalen Naturschutzakademie (INA), Vilmund „Wildnis verbinden“ vom 08. - 12. Juli 2019 in Dresden. Meißner, A., Niebrügge, A., Schweiger, M., Wilczek, M., Finck, P., Heisterkamp, S. & Riecken, U. (eds.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 49-66 18 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 557).

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

  12. Published

    Gase auf submikroskopischer Ebene untersuchen: Einbinden von Simulationen in den Chemieunterricht

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2020, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 31, 177, p. 47-51 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  13. E-pub ahead of print

    Governing Objects from a Distance: Blockchains as Organizers of Environmentality

    Leistert, O., 2020, (E-pub ahead of print) Explorations in Digital Cultures. Burkhardt, M., Shnayien, M. & Grashöfer, K. (eds.). Lüneburg: meson press, p. 5-20 16 p.

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

  14. Published

    Green chemistry and its contribution to industrial biotechnology

    Pleissner, D. & Kümmerer, K., 2020, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment in Industrial Biotechnology. Fröhling, M. & Hiete, M. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing, p. 281-298 18 p. (Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology; vol. 173).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  15. Published

    Heinrich Egon Weber (1932-2020)

    Haerdtle, W., Matzke-Hajek, G. & Pallas, J., 2020, In: Tuexenia. 40, p. 585-604 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Inklusive Unterrichtsgestaltung – Brüche und Brücken zwischen Sach- und Fachunterricht

    Abels, S., 2020, „Brüche und Brücken“ – Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterrichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 17-26 10 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 30).

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

  17. Published

    Integration von Nachhaltigkeit in das Controlling: Praxisleitfaden für Unternehmen 2020

    Nuzum, A.-K., Petersen, H., Lühn, M., Wenzig, J. & Schaltegger, S., 2020, 19 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  18. Published

    Landschaft als Prozess – Prozess als Konflikt

    Mölders, T. & Hofmeister, S., 2020, Landschaft als Prozess. Duttmann, R., Kühne, O. & Weber, F. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 493-511 19 p. (RaumFragen: Stadt – Region – Landschaft).

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

  19. Published

    Merkmale gelungenen inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichts in der Primar- und Sekundarstufe I: eine Interviewstudie mit Lehrkräften

    Sellin, K., Barth, M. & Abels, S., 2020, "Brüche und Brücken" - Übergänge im Kontext des Sachunterrichts. Offen, S., Barth, M., Franz, U. & Michalik, K. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 27-34 8 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts ; vol. 30).

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

  20. Published

    Nachhaltige Arbeit: Eine Forschungsagenda zur sozial-ökologischen Transformation der Arbeitsgesellschaft

    Jochum, G., Barth, T., Brandl, S., Cárdenas Tomazic, A., Hofmeister, S., Littig, B., Matuschek, I., Ulrich, S. & Warsewa, G., 2020, In: Arbeit. 29, 3-4, p. 219-233 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften in globalen Lieferketten: Gesetzliche Sorgfaltspflichten von Unternehmen im Lichte des WTO-Rechts

    Bäumler, J., 2020, In: Archiv des Völkerrechts. 58, 4, p. 464-501 38 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  22. Published

    Nachhaltigkeit als Treiber des Unternehmenserfolgs: Ein mehrperspektivischer Controllingansatz

    Schaltegger, S., 2020, In: REthinking: Finance. 2, 2, p. 34-39 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  23. Published

    POR UMA ESCOLA PLURAL, INTEGRADA E COM PARTIDOS

    Gomes, C. & Zuin, V., 2020, In: Revista da FAEEBA - Educação e Contemporaneidade. 29, 58, p. 78-90 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  24. Published
  25. Published

    Radverkehrsförderung 3.0: Barrierefrei, netztransparent, digital - Teil 2; Radverkehr, Verkehrsmittelwahl, Stadtverkehr, Verkehrsplanung

    Pez, P. & Seidel, A., 2020, In: Internationales Verkehrswesen. 72, 4, p. 16-20 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Rätselhafte Röhren in der Landschaft

    Walmsley, D., 2020, In: Naturschutz und Naturparke. 248, p. 12-15 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  27. Published

    Responsible Management Learning and Education in Need of Inter- and Transdisciplinarity

    Beckmann, M. & Schaltegger, S., 2020, The SAGE Handbook of Responsible Management Learning and Education. Moosmeyer, D. C., Laasch, O., Parkes, C. & Brown, K. G. (eds.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Inc., p. 561-577 17 p.

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

  28. Published

    Scaffolding im Rahmen von Inquiry-based Learning. Unterstützung der Lernenden auf ihrem Weg zur Erkenntnisgewinnung.

    Hofer, E., 2020, In: IMST Newsletter. 17, 50, p. 15-18 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Seven Building Blocks for an Intergenerationally Just Democracy

    Rose, M. & Hoffmann, J. M., 2020, Stuttgart: Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations, 29 p. (FREG Position Paper)(SSRN eLibrary).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  30. Published

    Simulationen im Nawi-Unterricht: Erhebung des Status Quo

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Abels, S., 2020, Naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenzen in der Gesellschaft von morgen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik Jahrestagung in Wien 2019. Habig, S. (ed.). Duisburg-Essen: Universität Duisburg-Essen, p. 736-739 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik; vol. 40).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  31. Published

    Sustainability management from a responsible management perspective

    Beckmann, M., Schaltegger, S. & Landrum, N. E., 2020, Research handbook of responsible management. Laasch, O., Suddaby, R., Freeman, R. E. & Jamali, D. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 122-137 16 p. (Research Handbooks in Business and Management series).

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

  32. Published

    Vergebung: Zu einer Soziologie der Nachsicht

    Fücker, S., 2020, Frankfurt: Campus Verlag. 377 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Videobasierte Kompetenzforschung im inklusiven naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht.

    Brauns, S., Egger, D., Sellin, K. & Abels, S., 2020, Naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenzen in der Gesellschaft von morgen: Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik Jahrestagung in Wien 2019. Habig , S. (ed.). Duisburg-Essen: Universität Duisburg-Essen, p. 724-727 4 p. (Gesellschaft für Didaktik der Chemie und Physik (GDCP) ; vol. 40).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  34. Published
  35. Published

    Wie man sich vor UV-Strahlung schützt. Eine fachliche Aufbereitung eines Alltagsthemas.

    Plotz, T. & Hofer, E., 2020, In: PLUS LUCIS. 2/2020, p. 20-24 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  36. Published

    Wie partizipativ sind Bottom-up-Transformationen?

    David, M., Schönborn, S. & Bleicher, A., 2020, Dezentral, partizipativ und kommunikativ: Zukunft der Energiewende. Kamlage, J.-H. & Engler, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Nordhausen: Verlag Traugott Bautz, p. 177-203 26 p.

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

  37. Published

    Zahlen statt nur Worte: Was nachhaltiges Controlling bewirken kann

    Schaltegger, S. & Michalski, A. M., 2020, In: IM+io. 02, p. 70-73 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  38. Published
  39. 2019
  40. Published
  41. Published

    Reflecting trends in the academic landscape of sustainable energy using probabilistic topic modeling

    Bickel, M. W., 20.12.2019, In: Energy, Sustainability and Society. 9, 1, 23 p., 49.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published
  43. Published

    Skills and knowledge management in higher education: how service learning can contribute to social entrepreneurial competence development

    Halberstadt, J., Timm, J.-M., Kraus, S. & Gundolf, K., 11.12.2019, In: Journal of Knowledge Management. 23, 10, p. 1925-1948 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published
  45. Published

    "Doing" Sustainability Assessment in Different Consumption and Production Contexts-Lessons from Case Study Comparison

    Engelmann, T., Fischer, D., Lörchner, M., Bowry, J. & Rohn, H., 09.12.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 24, 25 p., 7041.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Human-carnivore relations: Conflicts, tolerance and coexistence in the American West

    Expósito-Granados, M., Castro, A. J., Lozano, J., Aznar-Sanchez, J. A., Carter, N. H., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Malo, A. F., Olszańska, A., Morales-Reyes, Z., Moleón, M., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., Fischer, J. & Martín-López, B., 06.12.2019, In: Environmental Research Letters. 14, 12, 14 p., 123005.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  47. Published

    Democratic innovation and environmental governance

    Newig, J., Challies, E. & Jager, N. W., 05.12.2019, Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance. Elstub, S. & Escobar, O. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 324-338 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  48. Published

    A process-oriented framework of competencies for sustainability entrepreneurship

    Foucrier, T. & Wiek, A., 02.12.2019, In: Sustainability. 11, 24, 18 p., 7250.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Cultural adaptation of internet interventions for refugees: Results from a user experience study in Germany

    Spanhel, K., Schweizer, J. S., Wirsching, D., Lehr, D., Baumeister, H., Bengel, J. & Sander, L., 01.12.2019, In: Internet Interventions. 18, 13 p., 100252.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Drivers of productivity and its temporal stability in a tropical tree diversity experiment

    Schnabel, F., Schwarz, J. A., Danescu, A., Fichtner, A., Nock, C., Bauhus, J. & Potvin, C., 01.12.2019, In: Global Change Biology. 25, 12, p. 4257-4272 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Dynamic norms drive sustainable consumption: Norm-based nudging helps café customers to avoid disposable to-go-cups

    Loschelder, D. D., Siepelmeyer, H., Fischer, D. & Rubel, J. A., 01.12.2019, In: Journal of Economic Psychology. 75, Part A, 102146.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Es geht auch anders! Nachhaltigkeitspioniere krempeln die Smartphone-Branche um

    Revellio, F. & Norris, S., 01.12.2019, In: Forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften. 4, p. 102-104 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer