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

    Reviewing relational values for future research: insights from the coast

    Riechers, M., Betz, L., Gould, R. K., Loch, T. K., Lam, D. P. M., Lazzari, N., Martín-López, B. & Sala, J. E., 12.2022, In: Ecology and Society. 27, 4, 18 p., 44.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The influence of sustainability knowledge and attitude on sustainable intention and behaviour of Malaysian and Indonesian undergraduate students

    Saleh, M. S. M., Mehellou, A., Huang, M. & Briandana, R., 12.2022, In: Research in Comparative and International Education. 17, 4, p. 677-693 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Understanding Sustainability Performance in Business Organizations: Implications for the Sustainability Service Industry

    Imbrogiano, J.-P., 30.11.2022, London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 204 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Foliar application of lambda-cyhalothrin modulates root exudate profile and the rhizosphere bacteria community of dioecious Populus cathayana

    He, Y., Zhu, Z., Zhou, Z., Lu, T., Kumar, A. & Xia, Z., 15.11.2022, In: Environmental Pollution. 313, 120123.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Interview mit Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Thomas Schomerus

    Schomerus, T., 15.11.2022, In: Fachzeitschrift für Energierecht. 2022, 6, p. 246-247 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Edutainment in sustainability: Can sustainability communication also be fun?

    Saleh, M. S. M., 10.11.2022, Sustainability Communication across Asia: Fundamental Principles, Digital Strategies and Community Engagement. Saleh, M. S. M., Rahman, N. A. A. & Kasuma, S. A. A. (eds.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 188-199 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  8. Published

    Left by the left? The politics of poverty alleviation

    Lierse, H. & Seelkopf, L., 07.11.2022, In: Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy. 38, 3, p. 223-240 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    (Re)Produktivität

    Biesecker, A. & Hofmeister, S., 07.11.2022, Handbuch Politische Ökologie: Theorien, Konflikte, Begriffe, Methoden. Daniela, G., Hackfort, S., Schmitt, T. & von Winterfeld, U. (eds.). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 433-440 8 p. (Edition Politik; vol. 110).

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

  10. Published

    Auf die Temperatur kommt es an! Untersuchung der Temperaturtoleranz mit der Wärmebildkamera

    Stinken-Rösner, L. & Rodenhauser, A., 01.11.2022, Digitale Medien für den Unterricht: Biologie: 30 innovative Unterrichtsideen . Meier, M. & Thyssen, C. (eds.). Hannover: Friedrich Verlag, p. 50-51 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapter

  11. Published

    Chronischer beruflicher Stress: Behandlungsansätze mit Psychotherapie

    Koch, S., Lehr, D. & Hillert, A., 01.11.2022, In: Psychotherapie • Psychosomatik • Medizinische Psychologie . 72, 11, p. 497-512 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Dimensions of digital transformation in the context of modern agriculture

    Mendes, J. A. J., Carvalho, N. G. P., Mourarias, M. N., Careta, C. B., Vânia Gomes Zuin, G. Z. & Gerolamo, M. C., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption. 34, p. 613-637 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Discharge and fate of biocide residuals to ephemeral stormwater retention pond sediments

    Linke, F., Olsson, O., Schnarr, L., Kümmerer, K., Preusser, F., Bork, M., Leistert, H. & Lange, J., 01.11.2022, In: Hydrology Research. 53, 11, p. 1441-1453 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published
  15. Published

    How context affects transdisciplinary research: insights from Asia, Africa and Latin America

    Schneider, F., Llanque-Zonta, A., Andriamihaja, O. R., Andriatsitohaina, R. N. N., Tun, A. M., Boniface, K., Jacobi, J., Celio, E., Diebold, C. L., Patrick, L., Latthachack, P., Llopis, J. C., Lundsgaard-Hansen, L., Messerli, P., Mukhovi, S., Tun, N., Rabemananjara, Z. H., Ramamonjisoa, B. S., Thongmanivong, S., Vongvisouk, T., Thongphanh, D., Myint, W. & Zaehringer, J. G., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2331-2345 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    “It shouldn’t look aggressive”: How conceptions about publics shape the development of mining exploration technologies

    Bleicher, A., Häßler, P. & David, M., 01.11.2022, In: Public Understanding of Science. 31, 8, p. 978-992 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Teacher Education for Sustainable Development: A Review of an Emerging Research Field

    Fischer, D., King, J., Rieckmann, M., Barth, M., Büssing, A., Hemmer, I. & Lindau-Bank, D., 01.11.2022, In: Journal of Teacher Education. 73, 5, p. 509-524 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  18. Published

    The feasibility of using Apple's ResearchKit for recruitment and data collection: Considerations for mental health research

    Bührmann, L., Van Daele, T., Rinn, A., De Witte, N. A. J., Lehr, D., Aardoom, J. J., Loheide-Niesmann, L., Smit, J. & Riper, H., 01.11.2022, In: Frontiers in Digital Health. 4, 12 p., 978749.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    The interplay of eco-labels and price Cues: Empirical evidence from a large-scale field experiment in an online fashion store

    Feuß, S., Fischer-Kreer, D., Majer, J., Kemper, J. & Brettel, M., 01.11.2022, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 373, 133707.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    The role of perceptions and social norms in shaping women’s fertility preferences: a case study from Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Manlosa, A. O., Fischer, J., Schultner, J., Hanspach, J., Senbeta, F. & Dorresteijn, I., 01.11.2022, In: Sustainability Science. 17, 6, p. 2473-2488 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Using meaningful places as an indicator for sense of place in the management of social-ecological systems

    Knaps, F., Gottwald, S., Albert, C. & Herrmann, S., 01.11.2022, In: Ecology and Society. 27, 4, 12 p., 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review