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. 2016
  2. Published

    Selbstständiges Lernen in einer Lernwerkstatt: Potentiale und Herausforderungen inklusiven Naturwissenschaftsunterrichts

    Fellinger, S. & Abels, S., 2016, In: transfer Forschung . 2, p. 34-52 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published
  4. Published

    Social and ethical aspects in sustainability performance measurement and assessment. A systematic literature review

    Silva, S. L., Beske-Janssen, P. & Schaltegger, S., 2016, 20th EMAN Conference: Two Decades of Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Accounting - What has been achieved?; Proceedings of the 20th Conference of the Environmental and Sustainability Management Accounting Network (EMAN), Lüneburg, 2016. Centre for Sustainability Management, p. 228-230 3 p.

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

  5. Published

    Social Entrepreneurship: The foundation of tomorrow’s commercial business models?

    Halberstadt, J. & Kraus, S., 2016, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 8, 3, p. 261-279 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Software and Web-Based Tools for Sustainability Management in Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

    Johnson, M., Halberstadt, J., Schaltegger, S. & Viere, T., 2016, Advances and New Trends in Environmental and Energy Informatics: Selected and Extended Contributions from the 28th International Conference on Informatics for Environmental Protection. Gómez, J. M., Sonnenschein, M., Vogel, U., Winter, A., Rapp, B. & Giesen, N. (eds.). Cham: Springer International Publishing, p. 259-274 16 p. (Progress in IS).

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

  7. Published

    Soziale Medien als Technologien der Überwachung und Kontrolle

    Leistert, O., 2016, Handbuch Soziale Medien. Schmidt, J.-H. & Taddicken, M. (eds.). 1. ed. Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 1-17 17 p. (Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften).

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

  8. Published
  9. Published

    State of the art in research on higher education for sustainable development

    Barth, M. & Rieckmann, M., 2016, Routledge handbook of higher education for sustainable development. Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Rieckmann, M. & Thomas, I. (eds.). Abdington: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 100-114 14 p.

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

  10. Published

    Sustainability and Ecosystems

    Wehrden, H., von Oheimb, G., Abson, D. & Härdtle, W., 2016, Sustainability Science : An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 61-70 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  11. Published

    Sustainability Communication

    Fischer, D., Lüdecke, G., Godemann, J., Michelsen, G., Newig, J., Rieckmann, M. & Schulz, D., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 139-148 10 p.

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

  12. Published

    Sustainability Ethics

    Oermann, N. O. & Weinert, A., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Verlag, p. 175-192 18 p.

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

  13. Published

    Sustainable Development: Background and Context

    Michelsen, G., Adomßent, M., Martens, P. & von Hauff, M., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 5-29 25 p.

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

  14. Published

    Sustainable Development and Law

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 109-118 10 p.

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

  15. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship as a Research Field? Evidence from a Systematic Literature Review

    Johnson, M. & Schaltegger, S., 2016, Academy of Management Proceedings 2016. Academy of Management (Briarcliff Manor, NY) , Vol. 62. 16175. (Academy of Management Proceedings; vol. 2016).

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

  16. Published
  17. Published

    Teaching and Learning in Sustainability Science

    Barth, M., 2016, Sustainability Science : An Introduction . Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 325-333 9 p.

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

  18. Published

    The Austrian way of TEMI

    Hofer, E., Abels, S. & Lembens, A., 2016, In: Chemistry in Action!. 107, p. 23-29 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducationpeer-review

  19. Published

    The development of an eco-label for software products: A transdisciplinary process?

    Kern, E., 2016, INFORMATIK 2016. Mayr, H. C. & Pinzger, M. (eds.). Bonn: Köllen Verlag, p. 1285-1296 12 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. P-259).

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

  20. Published

    The diffusion of sustainable family farming practices in Colombia: an emerging sociotechnical niche?

    Ortíz, W. & Vilsmaier, U., 2016, International Sustainability Transitions Conference. p. 1 - 69 70 p.

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

  21. Published

    The growth-welfare dialectic: What might hegel say?

    Fischer, M., 2016, In: GAIA. 25, 2, p. 80-83 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    The links between biodiversity and ecosystem services

    Balvanera, P., Quijas, S., Martín-López, B., Barrios, E., Dee, L., Isbell, F., Durance, I., White, P., Blanchard, R. & de Groot, R., 2016, Routledge Handbook of Ecosystem Services. Potschin, M., Haines-Young, R. & Fish, R. (eds.). London: Taylor & Francis, p. 85-104 20 p.

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

  23. Published

    The research process of understanding biographical learning processes of sustainability entrepreneurs

    Timm, J.-M., 2016, Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development. Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Rieckmann, M. & Thomas, I. (eds.). 1 ed. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 383-395 13 p. 26. (Routledge international handbooks).

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

  24. Published

    Thesen. Statements: Vorab. First thinks first

    Gottschlich, D., 2016, Natur und Evolution als ZuMutungen an eine zukunftsfähige Gestaltung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft: 7. Spiekerooger KlimaGespräche 2015. Pfriem, R. (ed.). Oldenburg: dbv Deutscher Buchverlag GmbH, p. 14 1 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearch

  25. Published

    Towards a Real-world Laboratory: A Transdisciplinary Case Study from Lüneburg

    Bernert, P., Haaser, A., Kühl, L. & Schaal, T., 2016, In: GAIA. 25, 4, p. 253-259 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Towards sustainable land uses within the Elbe river biosphere reserve in Lower Saxony, Germany by means of TerraSAR-X images

    Farghaly, D., Elba, E. & Urban, B., 2016, In: Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection. 4, 3, p. 97-121 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Transdisziplinäre Bildungsforschung für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Fischer, D., Grunenberg, H., Mader, C. & Michelsen, G., 2016, Forschung für Nachhaltigkeit an deutschen Hochschulen. Leal Filho, W. (ed.). Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, p. 25-42 17 p. (Theorie und Praxis der Nachhaltigkeit; no. 1).

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

  28. Published

    Transformational Sustainability Research Methodology

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 2016, Sustainability Science: An Introduction. Heinrichs, H., Martens, P., Michelsen, G. & Wiek, A. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland, p. 31-41 11 p. 3

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

  29. Published

    Unternehmerische Identität zwischen Nerz, Nerd und Normalunternehmer: Entwicklung eines Forschungsdesigns zur Analyse des (de)aktivierenden Potenzials der medialen Darstellung von Unternehmerinnen

    Halberstadt, J., Hölzner, H., Gómez, J. M. & Kraus, S., 2016, (Un)typisch Gender Studies – neue interdisziplinäre Forschungsfragen. Halberstadt, J., Hilmers, L., Kubes, T. A. & Weingraber, S. (eds.). Opladen: Budrich UniPress , p. 157-170 14 p.

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

  30. Published

    (Un)typisch Gender Studies: neue interdisziplinäre Forschungsfragen

    Halberstadt, J. (Editor), Hilmers, L. (Editor), Kubes, T. (Editor) & Weingraber, S. (Editor), 2016, Opladen: Budrich UniPress . 306 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  31. Published

    Urbanes Lernen. Stadt als vielfältiges Lern- und Erfahrungsfeld - aus Sicht einer Stadtplanerin

    Edelhoff, S. H., 2016, In: Hamburg macht Schule. 28, 2, p. 24-25 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  32. Published
  33. Published

    Verhandlungsforschung als Grundlage einer Mediationstheorie

    Trötschel, R., Majer, J. M. & Höhne, B., 2016, Handbuch Mediation. Haft, F. & von Schlieffen, K. (eds.). 3 ed. München: C.H. Beck Verlag, p. 163-186 24 p. 6

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

  34. Published

    Verwertung von Reststoffen aus der Kaffeeproduktion als Kohlenstoffquellen in der fermentativen Milchsäureproduktion

    Pleißner, D., Neu, A.-K. & Venus, J., 2016, Pflanzen für die Bioökonomie – Welche Herausforderungen ergeben sich für die Qualität nachwachsender Rohstoffe?: 50. Vortragstagung 14.-15. März 2016 Julius Kühn-Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen in Berlin-Dahlem : Abstracts. Julius Kühn-Institut, p. 35 1 p. (Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut; vol. 183).

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

  35. Published

    Virtuelle Mobilität und Kompetenzerwerb: Wie durch international vernetzte Online-Seminare Kompetenzen für eine heterogene, globale Informationsgesellschaft vermittelt werden können - Dargestellt am Beispiel des Global Classrooms

    Vogt, J. C., Leonie, B. & John, B., 2016, Bildung und Hochschule: Impulse für Studium und Lehre am Beispiel des Leuphana College. Beck, K., Bothe, T., Glaser, T., Heuer, C., Schütz, J. & Seifert, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Münster: Waxmann Verlag, p. 171-204 34 p.

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

  36. Published

    Von Besserwissern, Moralaposteln und Tugendwächtern: Woran Kommunikation über Ethik scheitern kann

    Adomßent, M., 2016, Jenseits von Belehrung und Bekehrung: Wie kann Kommunikation über Ethik im Naturschutz gelingen? Dokumentation des gleichnamigen Workshops in Stuttgart-Hohenheim am 8. und 9. Oktober 2015. Eser, U. (ed.). Bonn Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 50-57 8 p. (BfN-Skripten ; vol. 437).

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

  37. Published

    Waste Water Reuse and Current Challenges

    Fatta-Kassinos, D. (Editor), Dionysiou, D. D. & Kümmerer, K. (Editor), 2016, Cham: Springer Nature. 261 p. (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry; vol. 44, no. 1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  38. Published

    Welche Freiheit brauchen Unternehmer?

    Dierksmeier, C. & Petersen, H., 2016, In: Forum Wirtschaftsethik. 24, 2, p. 3-8 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Windenergiedrachen – Rechtsfragen bei Installation und Betrieb

    Meister, M., Maly, C. & Schomerus, C.-T., 2016, In: Energierecht : ER Zeitschrift für die gesamte Energierechtspraxis. 5, 04, p. 160-167 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  40. Published

    Wirksamkeit eines internet- und smartphone-basierten Dankbarkeitstrainings zur Förderung der gedanklichen Distanzierung von arbeitsbezogenen Problemen –Sekundäranalyse einer randomisiert - kontrollierten Studie

    Heckendorf, H., Lehr, D., Freund, H., Ebert, D. D. & Sieland, B., 2016, State of the Art : Zum Stand der positiv - psycho - logischen Forschung im deutschsprachigen Raum. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Positiv-Psychologische Forschung, p. 23-24 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearch

  41. Published

    Wirksamkeit Internet- und Mobil-basierter Behandlung komorbider Depression bei Diabetes. Ergebnisse einer randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie

    Ebert, D. D., Nobis, S., Lehr, D. & Baumeister, H., 2016, 15. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verhaltensmedizin und Verhaltensmodifikation: Verhaltensmedizin 2.0 - von eHealth zu mHealth - Abstractband. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, p. 12 1 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsResearch

  42. Published

    Workplace mediation: Lessons from negotiation theory

    Höhne, B., Loschelder, D. D., Gutenbrunner, L., Majer, J. M. & Trötschel, R., 2016, Advancing workplace mediation through integration of theory and practice. Bollen, K., Euwema, M. & Munduate, L. (eds.). Cham: Springer Verlag, p. 67-86 20 p. (Industrial Relations & Conflict Management; vol. 3).

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

  43. Published

    Zur Demokratisierung gesellschaftlicher Naturverhältnisse: Warum die Perspektiven der Politischen Ökologie dafür unverzichtbar sind

    Gottschlich, D. & Hackfort, S., 2016, In: Politische Vierteljahresschrift. 57, 2, p. 300-322 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  44. Published

    Zwischen Stadt und Land: Hybride Räume verstehen und gestalten

    Mölders, T., Othengrafen, F., Stock, K. & Zibell, B., 2016, StadtLandschaften: Die neue Hybridität von Stadt und Land. Hofmeister, S. & Kühne, O. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 37-61 25 p. (Hybride Metropolen).

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

  45. 2015
  46. Published

    Pumpspeicher an Bundeswasserstraßen: Technische, wirtschaftliche und rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen am Beispiel des Elbe-Seitenkanals

    Degenhart, H. (Editor), Schomerus, C.-T. (Editor) & Schulz, D. (Editor), 17.12.2015, Springer Vieweg. 107 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  47. Published

    Polychlorinated Biphenyls in a Temperate Alpine Glacier: 2. Model Results of Chemical Fate Processes

    Steinlin, C., Bogdal, C., Pavlova, P. A., Schwikowski, M., Lüthi, M. P., Scheringer, M., Schmid, P. & Hungerbühler, K., 15.12.2015, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 49, 24, p. 14092-14100 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Tree cover mediates the effect on rapeseed leaf damage of excluding predatory arthropods, but in an unexpected way

    Lemessa, D., Samnegård, U., Hambäck, P. A. & Hylander, K., 15.12.2015, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 211, p. 57-64 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    UK public perceptions of shale gas hydraulic fracturing: The role of audience, message and contextual factors on risk perceptions and policy support

    Whitmarsh, L., Nash, N., Upham, P., Lloyd, A., Verdon, J. P. & Kendall, J. M., 15.12.2015, In: Applied Energy. 160, p. 419-430 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Multitrophic diversity in a biodiverse forest is highly nonlinear across spatial scales

    Schuldt, A., Wubet, T., Buscot, F., Staab, M., Aßmann, T., Böhnke-Kammerlander, M., Both, S., Erfmeier, A., Klein, A.-M., Ma, K., Pietsch, K., Schultze, S., Wirth, C., Zhang, J., Zumstein, P. & Bruelheide, H., 10.12.2015, In: Nature Communications. 6, 8 p., 10169.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Living in Heterogeneous Woodlands - Are Habitat Continuity or Quality Drivers of Genetic Variability in a Flightless Ground Beetle?

    Marcus, T., Boch, S., Durka, W., Fischer, M., Gossner, M. M., Müller, J., Schöning, I., Weisser, W. W., Drees, C. & Assmann, T., 07.12.2015, In: PLoS ONE. 10, 12, 18 p., e0144217.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Lexsyg smart - A luminescence detection system for dosimetry, material research and dating application

    Richter, D., Richter, A. & Dornich, K., 04.12.2015, In: Geochronometria. 42, 1, p. 202-209 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review