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. 2017
  2. Published

    Interdisciplinary Review of Medium-deep Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage in North Germany

    Holstenkamp, L., Meisel, M., Neidig, P., Opel, O., Steffahn, J., Strodel, N., Lauer, J. J., Vogel, M., Degenhart, H., Michalzik, D., Schomerus, C.-T., Schönebeck, J. & Növig, T., 01.10.2017, In: Energy Procedia. 135, p. 327-336 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Investigation of food waste valorization through sequential lactic acid fermentative production and anaerobic digestion of fermentation residues

    Demichelis, F., Pleissner, D., Mariano, S., Fiore, S., Navarro Gutiérrez, I. M., Schneider, R. & Venus, J., 01.10.2017, In: Bioresource Technology. 241, p. 508-516 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    La aceptación pública de las aplicaciones de las Pilas de Combustible de Hidrógeno en Europa

    Oltra, C., Dütschke, E., Sala, R., Schneider, U. & Upham, P., 01.10.2017, In: Revista Internacional de Sociologia. 75, 4, 15 p., e076.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Oxygen dependence in the photoreaction of the pesticide metamitron

    Palm, W.-U., 01.10.2017, In: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. 347, p. 138-145 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Kommentar zur .,Stellungnahme zur Lage des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Psychologie" von Rentzsch et al.

    Stürmer, S., Oeberst, A., Trötschel, R. & Decker, O., 10.2017, In: Psychologische Rundschau. 68, 4, p. 270-272 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  7. Published

    Local food sovereignty for global food security? Highlighting interplay challenges

    Leventon, J. & Laudan, J., 10.2017, In: Geoforum. 85, p. 23-26 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Methane yield of biomass from extensive grassland is affected by compositional changes induced by order of arrival

    Popp, D., von Gillhaussen, P., Weidlich, E. W. A., Sträuber, H., Harms, H. & Temperton, V. M., 10.2017, In: Global Change Biology : Bioenergy. 9, 10, p. 1555 - 1562 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Three Meta-Analyses of Children’s Emotion Knowledge and Their School Success

    Voltmer, K. & Salisch, M., 10.2017, In: Learning and Individual Differences. 59, p. 107 - 118 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient Measurement by a Simple 1H NMR Method

    Cumming, H. & Rücker, C., 30.09.2017, In: ACS Omega. 2, 9, p. 6244-6249 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Policy implementation through multi-level governance: analysing practical implementation of EU air quality directives in Germany

    Gollata, J. A. M. & Newig, J., 24.09.2017, In: Journal of European Public Policy. 24, 9, p. 1308-1327 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Acknowledging temporal diversity in sustainability transformations at the nexus of interconnected systems

    Weiser, A., Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 273-285 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Clean energy storage technology in the making: An innovation systems perspective on flywheel energy storage

    Wicki, S. & Hansen, E., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 1118-1134 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Mindfulness and Sustainable Consumption: A Systematic Literature Review of Research Approaches and Findings

    Fischer, D., Stanszus, L., Geiger, S., Grossman, P. & Schrader, U., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 544-558 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Die Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie: Wegweiser für eine Politik der Nachhaltigkeit

    Michelsen, G. (Editor), 14.09.2017, 2 ed. Wiesbaden: Hessische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung. 176 p. (forum hlz)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  16. Published

    Managing and Measuring the Business Case for Sustainability: Capturing the Relationship between Sustainability Performance, Business Competitiveness and Economic Performance

    Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M., 08.09.2017, Managing the Business Case for Sustainability: The Integration of Social, Environmental and Economic Performance. Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M. (eds.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 1-27 27 p.

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

  17. Published

    Mapping the Links of Corporate Sustainability: Sustainability Balanced Scorecards as a Tool for Sustainability Performance Measurement and Management

    Wagner, M. & Schaltegger, S., 08.09.2017, Managing the Business Case for Sustainability: The Integration of Social, Environmental and Economic Performance. Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M. (eds.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 108-126 21 p.

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

  18. Published

    Modelling age-related changes in motor competence and physical fitness in high-level youth soccer players: implications for talent identification and development

    Fransen, J., Bennett, K. J. M., Woods, C. T., French-Collier, N., Deprez, D., Vaeyens, R. & Lenoir, M., 02.09.2017, In: Science and Medicine in Football. 1, 3, p. 203-208 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Quantitative and qualitative insights into consumers’ sustainable purchasing behaviour: A segmentation approach based on motives and heuristic cues

    Eberhart, A. K. & Naderer, G., 02.09.2017, In: Journal of Marketing Management. 33, 13-14, p. 1149-1169 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Facilitating regional energy transition strategies: Toward a typology of regions

    Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Wehrden, H., 01.09.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 9, 17 p., 1560.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Feedstocks and analysis: General discussion

    Aldous, L., Argyropoulos, D., Budarin, V., Cabrera-Rodríguez, C. I., Clark, J., Coma, M., Constable, D., Fan, J., Gschwend, F., Hayes, D., Hu, C., Huber, G., Hughes, T., Hunt, A., Lapkin, A., Lye, G., Mascal, M., Matharu, A., Mu, X., Pant, D., Papaioannou, E., Rinaldi, R., Rothenberg, G., Samec, J., Sarkanen, S., Stankiewicz, A., Stevens, C., Titirici, M., Waldron, K., Wilson, K., Zhenova, A., Zhou, L. & Zuin, V., 01.09.2017, In: Faraday Discussions. 202, p. 497-519 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  22. Published

    Functional traits drive ground beetle community structures in Central European forests: Implications for conservation

    Nolte, D., Schuldt, A., Gossner, M. M., Ulrich, W. & Assmann, T., 01.09.2017, In: Biological Conservation. 213, Part A, p. 5-12 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Income inequality and willingness to pay for environmental public goods

    Baumgärtner, S., Drupp, M. A., Meya, J. N., Munz, J. M. & Quaas, M. F., 01.09.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 85, p. 35-61 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Sustainability as a Fundamental Challenge for Management Accountants

    Schaltegger, S., 01.09.2017, The Role of the Management Accountant: Local Variations and Global Influences. Goretzki, L. & Strauss, E. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 274-291 18 p. (Routledge studies in accounting; vol. 26).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  25. Published

    Technical, economic and environmental analysis of lactic acid and biogas production from kitchen waste

    Demichelis, F., Fiore, S., Pleißner, D. & Venus, J., 01.09.2017, 9th International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Management (ICEEM09): Conference Abstracts Book. Buburuzan, A. M., Fava, F., Gavrilescu, D., Teodosiu, C., Corvini, P. & Bertin, L. (eds.). Iasi, Romania: ECOZONE Publishing House, p. 257-258 2 p. (ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT; vol. 9).

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

  26. Published

    Herbivore and pathogen effects on tree growth are additive, but mediated by tree diversity and plant traits

    Schuldt, A., Hönig, L., Li, Y., Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W., von Oheimb, G., Welk, E. & Bruehlheide, H., 09.2017, In: Ecology and Evolution. 7, 18, p. 7462-7474 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Measuring Young Consumers’ Sustainable Consumption Behavior: Development and Validation of the YCSCB Scale

    Fischer, D., Böhme, T. & Geiger, S. M., 09.2017, In: Young Consumers. 18, 3, p. 312-326 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Unsichtbare Gewalt: Geschlechter- und Machtverhältnisse im politischen Diskurs

    Amri-Henkel, A., 09.2017, In: Forum Wissenschaft. 34, 3, p. 8-11 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  29. Published

    We Need Qualitative Progress to Address the Food-Biodiversity Nexus: A Reply to Seppelt et al.

    Fischer, J., Abson, D. J., Bergsten, A., Collier, N. F., Dorresteijn, I., Hanspach, J., Hylander, K., Schultner, J. & Senbeta, F., 09.2017, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 32, 9, p. 632-633 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  30. Published
  31. Published

    Ecosystem services in global sustainability policies

    Geijzendorffer, I. R., Cohen-Shacham, E., Cord, A. F., Cramer, W., Guerra, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.08.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 74, p. 40-48 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Growth and phycocyanin synthesis in the heterotrophic microalga Galdieria sulphuraria on substrates made of food waste from restaurants and bakeries

    Sloth, J., Jensen, H. C., Pleißner, D. & Eriksen, N. T., 01.08.2017, In: Bioresource Technology. 238, p. 296-305 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published
  34. Published

    New chronometric age estimates for the context of the Neanderthal from Wannen-Ochtendung (Germany) by TL and argon dating

    Richter, D., Klinger, P., Schmidt, C., van den Bogaard, P. & Zöller, L., 01.08.2017, In: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 14, p. 127-136 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Testing socio-cultural valuation methods of ecosystem services to explain land use preferences

    Schmidt, K., Walz, A., Martín-López, B. & Sachse, R., 01.08.2017, In: Ecosystem Services. 26, Part A, p. 270-288 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Lehreinheiten zu inklusiver Fachdidaktik evidenzbasiert entwickeln

    Süßenbach, J., Greve, S., Troll, B., Besser, M. & Abels, S., 08.2017, Innovation und Technologie im Sport : 23. dvs-Hochschultag, München, 13.-15. September 2017, Abstracts. Schwirtz, A., Mess, F., Demetriou, Y. & Senner, V. (eds.). 1. ed. Hamburg: Feldhaus, Ed. Czwalina, p. 53 1 p. (Schriften der Deutschen Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft; vol. 265).

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

  37. Published

    Ökonomistische Diskurse der Nachhaltigkeit: Bestimmende Momente und die Frage nach Alternativen

    Meyer, E. M. & Vilsmaier, U., 08.2017, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften und die Suche nach neuen Wissensordnungen. Pfister, T. (ed.). 1 ed. Weimar: Metropolis Verlag, p. 147-168 22 p.

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

  38. Published

    Resource availability determines the importance of niche-based versus stochastic community assembly in grasslands

    Conradi, T., Temperton, V. M. & Kollmann, J., 08.2017, In: Oikos. 126, 8, p. 1134-1141 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Feeding ecology of the Andean fox in southern Ecuador: Wild ungulates being the main prey

    Guntiñas, M., Lozano, J., Cisneros, R., Narváez, C. & Armijos, J., 19.07.2017, In: Contributions to Zoology. 86, 2, p. 169-180 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Sources of nitrogen heterocyclic PAHs (N-HETs) along a riverine course

    Siemers, A.-K., Palm, W.-U., Faubel, C., Mänz, J. S., Steffen, D. & Ruck, W., 15.07.2017, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 590-591, p. 69-79 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Eindeutig uneindeutig: Popkulturelle Akteur_innen und Narrationen als Anknüpfungspunkte für die politische Bildung

    Offen, S., 11.07.2017, Queertheoretische Perspektiven auf Bildung: Pädagogische Kritik der Heteronormativität. Hartmann, J., Messerschmidt, A. & Thon, C. (eds.). Opladen: Verlag Babara Budrich, p. 121-138 18 p. (Jahrbuch Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung in der Erziehungswissenschaft; vol. 13).

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

  42. Published

    The impact of mindfulness on well-being and performance in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review of the empirical literature

    Lomas, T., Medina, J. C., Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, S., Hart, R. & Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., 04.07.2017, In: European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 26, 4, p. 492-513 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Delineating boundaries of social-ecological systems for landscape planning: A comprehensive spatial approach

    Martín-López, B., Palomo, I., García-Llorente, M., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Castro, A. J., García Del Amo, D., Gómez-Baggethun, E. & Montes, C., 01.07.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 66, p. 90-104 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Does problem complexity matter for environmental policy delivery? How public authorities address problems of water governance

    Kirschke, S., Newig, J., Völker, J. & Borchardt, D., 01.07.2017, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 196, p. 1-7 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    From competition to facilitation: how tree species respond to neighbourhood diversity

    Fichtner, A., Härdtle, W., Li, Y., Bruelheide, H., Kunz, M. & von Oheimb, G., 01.07.2017, In: Ecology Letters. 20, 7, p. 892-900 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Linking the multi-level perspective with social representations theory: Gasifiers as a niche innovation reinforcing the energy-from-waste (EfW) regime

    Levidow, L. & Upham, P., 01.07.2017, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 120, p. 1-13 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Mismatches between supply and demand in wildlife tourism: Insights for assessing cultural ecosystem services

    Arbieu, U., Grünewald, C., Martín-López, B., Schleuning, M. & Böhning-Gaese, K., 01.07.2017, In: Ecological Indicators. 78, p. 282-291 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Bildung und Kommunikation als integraler Bestandteil der Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie?

    Stoltenberg, U. & Fischer, D., 07.2017, Die Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie: Wegweiser für eine Politik der Nachhaltigkeit. Michelsen, G. (ed.). Wiesbaden: Hessische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung, p. 123–139 17 p. (forum hlz).

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

  49. Published

    Case Study: the social context of arsenic regulation and exposure in South East Hungary

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 239-246 8 p.

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

  50. Published

    Community awareness and engagement for arsenic management

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the Control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 117-124 8 p.

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

  51. Published

    Functional flower traits and their diversity drive pollinator visitation

    Fornoff, F., Klein, A.-M., Hartig, F., Benadi, G., Venjakob, C., Schaefer, H. M. & Ebeling, A., 07.2017, In: Oikos. 126, 7, p. 1020-1030 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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