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. 2018
  2. Published

    A social-ecological typology of rangelands based on rainfall variability and farming type

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. J., Feller, R., Hanspach, J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Journal of Arid Environments. 148, p. 65 - 73 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    A Sustainability Agenda for Tropical Marine Science

    Partelow, S., Schlüter, A., von Wehrden, H., Jänig, M. & Senff, P., 01.01.2018, In: Conservation Letters. 11, 1, 15 p., e12351.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  4. Published

    Biodiversity-multifunctionality relationships depend on identity and number of measured functions

    Meyer, S. T., Ptacnik, R., Hillebrand, H., Bessler, H., Buchmann, N., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Engels, C., Fischer, M., Halle, S., Klein, A. M., Oelmann, Y., Roscher, C., Rottstock, T., Scherber, C., Scheu, S., Schmid, B., Schulze, E. D., Temperton, V. M., Tscharntke, T., Voigt, W., Weigelt, A., Wilcke, W. & Weisser, W. W., 01.01.2018, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 2, 1, p. 44-49 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Chancen für erneuerbare Energien in Wärmenetzen

    Bickel, M. W., Soetebeer, I., Neidig, P. & Schneidewind, U., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 1, p. 190-192 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  6. Published

    Climate Change May Trigger Broad Shifts in North America's Pacific Coastal Rainforests

    DellaSala, D. A., Brandt, P., Koopman, M., Leonard, J., Meisch, C., Herzog, P., Alaback, P., Goldstein, M. I., Jovan, S., MacKinnon, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene: Volume 2: Climate Change. Dellasala, D. A. & Goldstein, M. I. (eds.). Oxford: Elsevier B.V., Vol. 1-5. p. 233-244 12 p. (Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene; vol. 2).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  7. Published

    Coffee management and the conservation of forest bird diversity in southwestern Ethiopia

    Rodrigues, P., Shumi, G., Dorresteijn, I., Schultner, J., Hanspach, J., Hylander, K., Senbeta, F. & Fischer, J., 01.01.2018, In: Biological Conservation. 217, 1, p. 131-139 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Effectiveness of Web- and Mobile-Based Treatment of Subthreshold Depression With Adherence-Focused Guidance: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

    Ebert, D. D., Buntrock, C., Lehr, D., Smit, F., Riper, H., Baumeister, H., Cuijpers, P. & Berking, M., 01.01.2018, In: Behavior Therapy. 49, 1, p. 71-83 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Evidence for climatic changes around the Matuyama-Brunhes Boundary (MBB) inferred from a multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental study of the GBY#2 core, Jordan River Valley, Israel

    Proborukmi, M. S., Urban, B., Mischke, S., Mienis, H. K., Melamed, Y., Dupont-Nivet, G., Jourdan, F. & Goren-Inbar, N., 01.01.2018, In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 489, p. 166-185 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Global assessment of the non-equilibrium theory of rangelands: Revisited and refined

    Engler, J. O. & von Wehrden, H., 01.01.2018, In: Land Use Policy. 70, p. 479 - 484 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Ingenieurökologische Sanierungsansätze für den Bederkesaer See

    Schneider, P., Reincke, H., Ochmann, S., Majrada, H., Jakob, M. & Seewald, M., 01.01.2018, In: Wasserwirtschaft. 108, 1, p. 23-29 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Jointly experimenting for transformation? Shaping real-world laboratories by comparing them

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Caniglia, G., Bergmann, M., Wanner, M., Singer-Brodowski, M., Loorbach, D., Olsson, P., Baedeker, C. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, p. 85-96 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Klimawandel, Nachhaltigkeit und Transformationsgestaltung

    Heinrichs, H., 01.01.2018, Hamburger Klimabericht: Wissen über Klima, Klimawandel und Auswirkungen in Hamburg und Norddeutschland. von Storch, H., Meinke, I. & Claußen, M. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 293-302 10 p.

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

  15. Published

    Konfliktfeld „neue Gentechnik“: Regulierung landwirtschaftlicher Biotechnologien zwischen Innovation und Vorsorge

    Friedrich, B. & Hackfort, S. K., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 2, p. 211-215 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  16. Published

    Labs in the real world: Advancing transdisciplinary research and sustainability transformation: Mapping the field and emerging lines of inquiry

    Schäpke, N., Bergmann, M., Stelzer, F. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, Supplement 1, p. 8-11 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Making Collective Learning Coherent: An Adaptive Approach to the Practice of Transdisciplinary Pedagogy

    Clarke, E. & Ashhurst, C., 01.01.2018, Transdisciplinary Theory, Practice and Education: The Art of Collaborative Research and Collective Learning. Fam, D., Neuhauser, L. & Gibbs, P. (eds.). 1 ed. Cham: Springer Verlag, Vol. 1. p. 151-165 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  18. Published

    Measuring what matters in sustainable consumption: an integrative framework for the selection of relevant behaviors

    Geiger, S., Fischer, D. & Schrader, U., 01.01.2018, In: Sustainable Development. 26, 1, p. 18–33 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Narrations of Sustainability How to Tell the Story of the Socio-Ecological Transformation

    Fischer, D., Schaefer, T. & Borner, J., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 3, p. 334-336 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Scalable capacity-building for geographically dispersed learners: Designing the MOOC "Sustainable Energy in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)"

    Wolf, F., Seyfarth, F. C. & Pflaum, E., 01.01.2018, Open and Distance Learning Initiatives for Sustainable Development. Pandey, U. C. & Indrakanti, V. (eds.). IGI Global Publishing, p. 58-83 26 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  21. Published

    Scenario modeling of ammonia emissions from surface applied urea under temperate conditions: application effects and model comparison

    Pacholski, A., Doehler, J., Schmidhalter, U. & Kreuter, T., 01.01.2018, In: Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 110, 1, p. 177-193 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Stakeholder Engagement for Corporate Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of B2C and B2B Companies

    Johnson, M., Redlbacher, F. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2018, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 25, 4, p. 659-673 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Strengthening the transformative impulse while mainstreaming real-world labs: Lessons learned from three years of BaWü-Labs: Lessons learned from three years of BaWü-Labs

    Schäpke, N., Wagner, F., Parodi, O. & Meier-Soylu, S., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 2, p. 262-264 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Sufficiency as policy: necessity, possibilities and limitations

    Spengler, L., 01.01.2018, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 327 p. (Umweltsoziologie; vol. 5)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  25. Published

    Sustainability Science with Ozzy Osbourne, Julia Roberts and Ai Weiwei: The Potential of Arts-Based Research for Sustainable Development

    Heinrichs, H., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 1, p. 132-137 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  26. Published

    Sustainable chemistry and the international sustainable chemistry collaborative centre ISC 3

    Elschami, M., Kümmerer, K. & Schneidewind, U., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 2, p. 247-249 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    The economic drivers and consequences of agricultural specialization

    Abson, D. J., 01.01.2018, Agroecosystem Diversity: Reconciling Contemporary Agriculture and Environmental Quality. Lemaire, G., Carvalho, P., Kronberg, S. & Recous, S. (eds.). Academic Press Inc., p. 301-315 15 p.

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

  28. Published

    When Individual Preferences Defy Sustainability — Can Merit Good Arguments Close the Gap?

    Hoberg, N. & Strunz, S., 01.01.2018, In: Ecological Economics. 143, p. 286-293 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Ziele, Strukturen, Wirkungen transformativer Forschung

    Stelzer, F., Becker, S., Timm, J.-M., Adomßent, M., Simon, K.-H., Schneidewind, U., Renn, O., Lang, D. J. & Ernst, A., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 4, p. 405-408 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Continental mapping of forest ecosystem functions reveals a high but unrealised potential for forest multifunctionality.

    van der Plas, F., Ratcliffe, S., Ruiz-Benito, P., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Verheyen, K., Wirth, C., de Zavala, M. A., Ampoorter, E., Baeten, L., Barbaro, L., Bastias, C. C., Bauhus, J., Benavides, R., Benneter, A., Bonal, D., Bouriaud, O., Bruelheide, H., Bussotti, F., Carnol, M., Castagneyrol, B., Charbonnier, Y., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Dahlgren, J., Checko, E., Coppi, A., Dawud, S. M., Deconchat, M., De Smedt, P., de Wandeler, H., Domisch, T., Finér, L., Fotelli, M., Gessler, A., Granier, A., Grossiord, C., Guyot, V., Haase, J., Hättenschwiler, S., Jactel, H., Jaroszewicz, B., Joly, F.-X., Jucker, T., Kambach, S., Kaendler, G., Kattge, J., Koricheva, J., Kunstler, G., Lehtonen, A., Liebergesell, M., Manning, P., Milligan, H., Müller, S., Muys, B., Nguyen, D., Nock, C., Ohse, B., Paquette, A., Penuelas, J., Pollastrini, M., Radoglou, K., Raulund-Rasmussen, K., Roger, F., Seidl, R., Selvi, F., Stenlid, J., Valladares, F., van Keer, J., Vesterdal, L., Fischer, M., Gamfeldt, L. & Allan, E., 01.2018, In: Ecology Letters. 21, 1, p. 31-42 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Wie teuer wird die Medizin im Wasser?

    Kümmerer, K., 01.2018, In: Zweitausend50. 1, p. 70-73 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  32. Published

    § 100 Allgemeine Übergangsvorschriften

    Schomerus, C.-T., Maly, C. & Meister, M., 2018, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1897-1935 39 p. (Berliner Kommentar).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  33. Published

    § 104 Weitere Übergangsbestimmungen

    Schomerus, C.-T., Maly, C. & Meister, M., 2018, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1973-1986 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  34. Published

    Abflussverhältnisse steuern die Retention von Pestiziden und hydrologischen Tracern in Feuchtflächen

    Lange, J., Greiwe, J., Müller, B., Hensen, B., Kümmerer, K. & Olsson, O., 2018, Forum für Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung 39.18: M³ - Messen, Modellieren, Managen in Hydrologie und Wasserressourcenbewirtschaftung: Beiträge zum Tag der Hydrologie am 22./23. März 2018 an der Technischen Universität Dresden . Schütze, N., Müller, U., Schwarze, R., Wöhling, T. & Grundmann, J. (eds.). Fachgemeinschaft Hydrologische Wissenschaften (FgHW), Vol. 39.18. p. 271-280 10 p. (Forum für Hydrologie und Wasserbe wirtschaftung; vol. 39.18).

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

  35. Published

    Accounting for Sustainability: Asia Pacific Perspectives

    Lee, K.-H. (Editor) & Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2018, Cham: Springer International Publishing. 305 p. (Eco-efficiency in industry and science; vol. 33)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  36. Published

    A focus group for operationalizing software sustainability with the MEASURE platform

    Condori-Fernandez, N., Bagnato, A. & Kern, E., 2018, In: CEUR Workshop Proceedings. 2286, p. 7-18 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Anforderungen an ein digitales Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement für Existenzgründer

    Ducki, A., Boß, L., Behrendt, D. & Janneck, M., 2018, Digitales Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement. Matusiewicz, D. & Kaiser, L. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 369-385 17 p.

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

  38. Published

    Arbeit und Leben: Das Themenfeld Arbeit und Leben für die Klassenstufen 3-6

    Offen, S. & Löw Beer, D., 2018, Hamburg: Landesinstitut für Lehrerbildung und Schulentwicklung Hamburg. 73 p. (Globales Lernen)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesTransfer

  39. Published

    Asia Pacific Perspectives on Accounting for Sustainability: An Introduction

    Lee, K.-H. & Schaltegger, S., 2018, Accounting for Sustainability : Asia Pacific Perspectives. Lee, K.-H. & Schaltegger, S. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing, p. 1-8 8 p. (Eco-efficiency in industry and science; vol. 33).

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

  40. Published

    Assessment of Competencies for Sustainability in Secondary Education in Mexico

    Rodríguez-Aboytes, J. G. & Nieto-Caraveo, L. M., 2018, Sustainable Development Research and Practice in Mexico and Selected Latin American Countries. Filho, W. L., Noyola-Cherpitel, R., Medellin-Milan, P. & Vargas, V. R. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 199-216 18 p. (World Sustainability Series).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  41. Published
  42. Published

    Bachelor Betriebswirtschaftslehre im Wandel: Integration der verantwortungsvollen Managementausbildung in die akademische Bildung

    Bekmeier-Feuerhahn, S., Hetze, K. & Klapper, R., 2018, CSR und Hochschulmanagement: Sustainable Education als neues Paradigma in Forschung und Lehre. Raueisen, M. & Kolb, M. (eds.). Berlin/Heidelberg: Gabler Verlag, p. 46-67 21 p. (Management-Reihe Corporate Social Responsibility).

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

  43. Published

    Berufliche Handlungsanforderungen im Fokus der Hochschuldidaktik eines inklusiven Sachunterrichts

    Offen, S., 2018, Handeln im Sachunterricht: Jahresband GDSU 2017. Hartinger, A., Heinrich-Dönges, A., Franz, U., Giest, H. & Reinhoffer, B. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, p. 215-222 8 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 28).

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

  44. Published

    Bewertung der Nachhaltigkeit von Software: Entwicklung einer Umweltkennzeichnung

    Kern, E., Guldner, A. & Naumann, S., 2018, Nachhaltige Betriebliche Umweltinformationssysteme. Arndt, H.-K., Gomez, J. M., Wohlgemuth, V., Lehmann, S. & Pleshkanovska, R. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, p. 9-19 11 p. (Nachhaltige Betriebliche Umweltinformationssysteme).

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

  45. Published

    Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung in Deutschland: vom Projekt zur Struktur?

    Stoltenberg, U. & Fischer, D., 2018, Perspektive wechseln. : Jahrbuch Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 76–89

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

  46. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltigen Konsum durch Achtsamkeit: toolkit #9

    Fritzsche, J., Fischer, D., Böhme, T. & Grossman, P., 2018, Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 44 p. (Images and Objects - Active Learning Methodology; vol. 9)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCompendium/lecture notesEducation

  47. Published

    Burnout und chronischer beruflicher Stress: Ein Ratgeber für Betroffene und Angehörige

    Hillert, A., Koch, S. & Lehr, D., 2018, 1 ed. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag. 89 p. (Ratgeber zur Reihe Fortschritte der Psychotherapie; vol. 39)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  48. Published

    Chancen för erneuerbare Energien in Wärmenetzen: Bericht vom Leuphana Energieforum 2017

    Bickel, M. W., Soetebeer, I. & Neidig, P., 2018, In: GAIA. 27, 1, p. 190-192 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Collaborative entrepreneurship for sustainability. Creating solutions in light of the UN sustainable development goals

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hockerts, K., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 2, p. 131-152 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Concepts: How participation leads to effective environmental governance

    Newig, J., Challies, E., Jager, N. W. & Kochskämper, E., 2018, Participation for Effective Environmental Governance: Evidence from European Water Framework Directive Implementation. Kochskämper, E., Challies, E., Jager, N. W. & Newig, J. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 11-27 17 p. (Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management).

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

  51. Published

    Das Glocal Curriculum - Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen aus der Leuphanafür die Leuphana

    John, B. & Caniglia, G., 2018, Die Rolle der Universität in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft im Wandel. Henkel, A., Hobuß, S., Jamme, C. & Wuggenig, U. (eds.). 1. ed. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag, p. 188-192 5 p.

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