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

    Sustainable Development: Special Issue: Innovative measurement approaches for corporate sustainability

    Álvarez-Etxeberria, I. (Editor), Ortas, E. (Editor) & Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2017, Bradford, West Yorkshire: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 55 p. (Sustainable Development; vol. 25, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  3. Published

    The glocal curriculum: a practical guide to teaching and learning in an Interconnected world

    John, B., Caniglia, G., Bellina, L., Lang, D. J. & Laubichler, M., 2017, Baden Baden: [sic!] Verlag für kritische Ästhetik. 189 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  4. Published

    Training sessions fostering transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable development: Albania and Kosovo case studies

    Meyer, J., Mader, M., Zimmermann, F. & Çabiri, K., 2017, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 18, 5, p. 738-757 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Umwelt- und Nachhaltigkeitsthemen für die breite Masse: Nachhaltigkeit in Internetunternehmen

    Kern, E., 2017, 47. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft fur Informatik, Informatik 2017. Eibl, M. & Gaedke, M. (eds.). Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., p. 1973-1984 12 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. 275).

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

  6. Published

    UNESCO Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Development

    Michelsen, G., Adomßent, M., Mader, M. & Sundermann, A., 2017, Scientific Research for Sustainable Development: UNESCO Chairs in Germany. Römer, K. (ed.). Bonn: German Commission for UNESCO, p. 65-70 6 p.

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

  7. Published

    Unternehmerische Freiheit endogen verwirklichen

    Petersen, H., 2017, Unternehmen der Gesellschaft : Interdisziplinäre Beiträge zu einer kritischen Theorie des Unternehmens . F. U. U. G. O. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag, p. 205-230 26 p. (Theorie der Unternehmung; vol. 65).

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

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Urbane Regenwasserversickerung als Eintragspfad für biozide Wirkstoffe in das Grundwasser?

    Lange, J., Olsson, O., Jackisch, N., Weber, T., Hensen, B., Zieger, F., Schütz, T. & Kümmerer, K., 2017, In: Korrespondenz Wasserwirtschaft. 10, 4, p. 198 - 202 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Value Creation Architectures for the Circular Economy: A Make-or-Buy Analysis in the Smartphone Industry

    Revellio, F. & Hansen, E. G., 2017, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 48 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  11. Published
  12. Published

    Vielperspektivität auch in der Forschung? Beobachtungen zur Entwicklung der Sachunterrichtsforschung im Rahmen eines "Systematic Reviews"

    Barth, M., Bruhn, K., Bürgener, L., Edelhoff, S. H., Richter, S. & Freund, E. K., 2017, Vielperspektivität im Sachunterricht. Giest, H., Hartinger, A. & Tänzer, S. (eds.). Bad Heilbrunn: Verlag Julius Klinkhardt, Vol. 27. p. 40 - 48 9 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts).

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

  13. Published

    Vom Recht auf Garten: Aneignung urbaner Freiräume als Kritik und Vision gesellschaftlicher Raum-verhältnisse

    Mölders, T. & Kühnemann, P., 2017, Aneignung urbaner Freiräume : Ein Diskurs über städtischen Raum. Hauck, T., Hennecke, S. & Körner, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, p. 281-301 21 p. (Urban studies ).

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

  14. Published

    Vorwort

    Hofmeister, S., 2017, Politiken der Naturgestaltung: Ländliche Entwicklung und Agro-Gentechnik zwischen Kritik und Vision. Gottschlich, D. & Tanja, M. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 7-9 3 p.

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

  15. Published

    Warum wir Tiere essen (obwohl wir sie mögen): Sozialpsychologische Erklärungsansätze für das Fleischparadox

    Frank, P., 2017, In: Psychosozial. 40, 148, p. 49-69 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Was wollen Kinder und Jugendliche in Bezug auf Nachhaltigkeit und Konsum wissen, wie kommunizieren sie und wie informieren sie sich? Eine Literaturanalyse

    Fischer, D., Grunenberg, H. & Ruckelshauß, T., 2017, Lüneburg: Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Umweltkommunikation (INFU), 45 p. (INFU-Diskussionsbeiträge; no. 40).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  17. 2016
  18. Published

    Sustainability of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: A Review

    Feron, S., 19.12.2016, In: Sustainability. 8, 12, p. 1-26 26 p., 1326.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  19. Published

    Valorization of organic residues for the production of added value chemicals: A contribution to the bio-based economy

    Pleissner, D., Qi, Q., Gao, C., Rivero, C. P., Webb, C., Lin, C. S. K. & Venus, J., 15.12.2016, In: Biochemical Engineering Journal. 116, p. 3-16 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  20. Published

    A new valuation school: Integrating diverse values of nature in resource and land use decisions

    Jacobs, S., Dendoncker, N., Martín-López, B., Barton, D. N., Gomez-Baggethun, E., Boeraeve, F., McGrath, F. L., Vierikko, K., Geneletti, D., Sevecke, K. J., Pipart, N., Primmer, E., Mederly, P., Schmidt, S., Aragão, A., Baral, H., Bark, R. H., Briceno, T., Brogna, D., Cabral, P., De Vreese, R., Liquete, C., Mueller, H., Peh, K. S. H., Phelan, A., Rincón, A. R., Rogers, S. H., Turkelboom, F., Van Reeth, W., van Zanten, B. T., Wam, H. K. & Washbourn, C. L., 01.12.2016, In: Ecosystem Services. 22, Part B, p. 213-220 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    A synthesis of convergent reflections, tensions and silences in linking gender and global environmental change research

    Iniesta-Arandia, I., Ravera, F., Buechler, S., Díaz-Reviriego, I., Fernández-Giménez, M. E., Reed, M. G., Thompson-Hall, M., Wilmer, H., Aregu, L., Cohen, P., Djoudi, H., Lawless, S., Martín-López, B., Smucker, T., Villamor, G. B. & Wangui, E. E., 01.12.2016, In: Ambio. 45, Supplement 3, p. 383-393 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    At the Limit: Introducing Energy with Human Senses

    Stinken, L., Carmesin, H.-O. & Heusler, S., 01.12.2016, In: The Physics Teacher. 54, 9, p. 552-555 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  23. Published

    Contrasting changes in the abundance and diversity of North American bird assemblages from 1971 to 2010

    Schipper, A. M., Belmaker, J., de Miranda, M. D., Navarro, L. M., Böhning-Gaese, K., Costello, M. J., Dornelas, M., Foppen, R., Hortal, J., Huijbregts, M. A. J., Martín-López, B., Pettorelli, N., Queiroz, C., Rossberg, A. G., Santini, L., Schiffers, K., Steinmann, Z. J. N., Visconti, P., Rondinini, C. & Pereira, H. M., 01.12.2016, In: Global Change Biology. 22, 12, p. 3948-3959 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Disentangling Puzzles of Spatial Scales and Participation in Environmental Governance: The Case of Governance Re-scaling Through the European Water Framework Directive

    Newig, J., Schulz, D. & Jager, N. W., 01.12.2016, In: Environmental Management. 58, 6, p. 998 - 1014 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Effects of biodiversity strengthen over time as ecosystem functioning declines at low and increases at high biodiversity

    Meyer, S. T., Ebeling, A., Eisenhauer, N., Hertzog, L., Hillebrand, H., Milcu, A., Pompe, S., Abbas, M., Bessler, H., Buchmann, N., De Luca, E., Engels, C., Fischer, M., Gleixner, G., Hudewenz, A., Klein, A.-M., de Kroon, H., Leimer, S., Loranger, H., Mommer, L., Oelmann, Y., Ravenek, J. M., Roscher, C., Rottstock, T., Scherber, D. C., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Scheu, S., Schmid, B., Schulze, E.-D., Staudler, A., Strecker, T., Temperton, V. M., Tscharntke, T., Vogel, A., Voigt, W., Weigelt, A., Wilcke, W. & Weisser, W. W., 01.12.2016, In: Ecosphere - An esa open access journal. 7 , 12, 14 p., 1619.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Effects on the (CSR) Reputation: CSR reporting discussed in the light of signalling and stakeholder perception theories

    Hetze, K., 01.12.2016, In: Corporate Reputation Review. 19, 3, p. 281-296 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  27. Published

    Gender perspectives in resilience, vulnerability and adaptation to global environmental change

    Ravera, F., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Martín-López, B., Pascual, U. & Bose, P., 01.12.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 3, Supplement, p. 235-247 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Gender perspectives in resilience, vulnerability and adaptation to global environmental change

    Ravera, F. (Editor), Iniesta-Arandia, I. (Editor), Martín-López, B. (Editor), Pascual, U. (Editor) & Bose, P. (Editor), 01.12.2016, Secaucus: Springer Verlag. 393 p. (AMBIO; vol. 45, no. 3 (Supplement))

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  29. Published

    Introduction bias affects relationships between the characteristics of ornamental alien plants and their naturalization success

    Maurel, N., Hanspach, J., Kühn, I., Pyšek, P., van Kleunen, M. & Evans, K., 01.12.2016, In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. 25, 12, p. 1500-1509 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Maize rhizosphere priming: field estimates using 13C natural abundance

    Kumar, A., Kuzyakov, Y. & Pausch, J., 01.12.2016, In: Plant and Soil. 409, 1-2, p. 87-97 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Managing Research Environments: Heterarchies in Academia. A Response to Cumming

    Fischer, J., 01.12.2016, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 31, 12, p. 900-902 3 p.

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

  32. Published

    Overcome procrastination: Enhancing emotion regulation skills reduce procrastination

    Eckert, M., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Sieland, B. & Berking, M., 01.12.2016, In: Learning and Individual Differences. 52, p. 10-18 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published
  34. Published

    South America's biophysical involvement in international trade: The physical trade balances of Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil in the light of ecologically unequal exchange

    Dorninger, C. & Eisenmenger, N., 01.12.2016, In: Journal of Political Ecology. 23, 1, p. 394-409 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Sustainability of rural electrification programs based on off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems in Chile

    Feron, S., Heinrichs, H. & Cordero, R., 01.12.2016, In: Energy, Sustainability and Society. 6, 1, 19 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    The diversity of gendered adaptation strategies to climate change of Indian farmers: A feminist intersectional approach

    Ravera, F., Martín-López, B., Pascual, U. & Drucker, A., 01.12.2016, In: Ambio. 45, 3, Supplement, p. 335-351 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    The role of sustainability in nuclear energy plans: What do national energy strategies tell us?

    Gralla, F., John, B., Abson, D. J., Møller, A. P., Bickel, M., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 01.12.2016, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 22, p. 94-106 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Albert Schweitzer: A Biography

    Oermann, N. O., 24.11.2016, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 288 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  39. Published

    Five primary sources of organic aerosols in the urban atmosphere of Belgrade (Serbia)

    Zangrando, R., Barbaro, E., Kirchgeorg, T., Vecchiato, M., Scalabrin, E., Radaelli, M., Đorđević, D., Barbante, C. & Gambaro, A., 15.11.2016, In: Science of the Total Environment. 571, p. 1441-1453 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Growth and water use of Populus euphratica trees and stands with different water supply along the Tarim River, NW China

    Lang, P., Ahlborn, J., Schäfer, P., Wommelsdorf, T., Jeschke, M., Zhang, X. & Thomas, F. M., 15.11.2016, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 380, p. 139-148 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Integrating corporate sustainability assessment, management accounting, control, and reporting

    Maas, K., Schaltegger, S. & Crutzen, N., 10.11.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 136, Part A, p. 237-248 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Journal of Cleaner Production. Special Volume: The Integration of Corporate Sustainability Assessment, Management Accounting, Control, and Reporting

    Maas, K. (Editor), Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Crutzen, N. (Editor), 10.11.2016, Elsevier B.V. 249 p. (Journal of Cleaner Production; vol. 136 , no. Part A)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  43. Published

    Reprint of Advancing the integration of corporate sustainability measurement, management and reporting

    Maas, K., Schaltegger, S. & Crutzen, N., 10.11.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 136, Part A, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    A Conceptual Structure of Justice - Providing a Tool to Analyse Conceptions of Justice

    Stumpf, K. H., Becker, C. U. & Baumgaertner, S., 01.11.2016, In: Ethical Theory and Moral Practice . 19, 5, p. 1187-1202 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Carbon footprinting of large product portfolios. Extending the use of Enterprise Resource Planning systems to carbon information management

    Zvezdov, D. & Hack, S., 01.11.2016, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 135, p. 1267-1275 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Cascade thermochemical storage with internal condensation heat recovery for better energy and exergy efficiencies

    N’Tsoukpoe, K. E., Osterland, T., Opel, O. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.11.2016, In: Applied Energy. 181, p. 562-574 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Experimental and in silico assessment of fate and effects of the antipsychotic drug quetiapine and its bio- and phototransformation products in aquatic environments

    Herrmann, M., Menz, J., Gassmann, M., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.11.2016, In: Environmental Pollution. 218, p. 66-76 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    In Alain Gibb's footsteps: Evaluating alternative approaches to sustainable enterprise education (SEE)

    Klapper, R. G. & Farber, V. A., 01.11.2016, In: International Journal of Management Education. 14, 3, p. 422-439 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Lab-scale experiment of a closed thermochemical heat storage system including honeycomb heat exchanger

    Fopah-Lele, A., Rohde, C., Neumann, K., Tietjen, T., Rönnebeck, T., N'Tsoukpoe, K. E., Osterland, T., Opel, O. & Ruck, W. K. L., 01.11.2016, In: Energy. 114, p. 225-238 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Molecular analyses and species distribution models indicate cryptic northern mountain refugia for a forestdwelling ground beetle

    Drees, C., Husemann, M., Homburg, K., Brandt, P., Dieker, P., Habel, J. C., von Wehrden, H., Zumstein, P. & Assmann, T., 01.11.2016, In: Journal of Biogeography. 43, 11, p. 2223-2236 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Seasonal accumulation of persistent organic pollutants on a high altitude glacier in the Eastern Alps

    Kirchgeorg, T., Dreyer, A., Gabrielli, P., Gabrieli, J., Thompson, L. G., Barbante, C. & Ebinghaus, R., 01.11.2016, In: Environmental Pollution. 218, p. 804-812 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Tentative Theses on Transformative Research in Real-World Laboratories: First Insights from the Accompanying Research ForReal

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Bergmann, M. & Lang, D. J., 01.11.2016, In: Technikfolgenabschätzung. 25, 3, p. 45-51 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch