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. 2014
  2. Published

    Adolescent growth: Genes, hormones and the peer group. Proceedings of the 20th aschauer Soiree, held at Glücksburg Castle, Germany, 15th to 17th November 2013

    Hermanussen, M., Meitinger, T., Veldhuis, J. D., Low, M. J., Pfäffle, R., Staub, K., Panczak, R., Groth, D., Brabec, M., Von Salisch, M., Loh, C. P. A., Tassenaar, V., Scheffler, C., Mumm, R., Godina, E., Lehmann, A., Tutkuviene, J., Gervickaite, S., Nierop, A. F. M., Holmgren, A., Aßmann, C., Van Buuren, S., Koziel, S., Zadzińska, E., Varela-Silva, I., Vignerová, J., Salama, E., El-Shabrawi, M., Huijic, A., Satake, T. & Bogin, B., 03.2014, In: Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews. 11, 3, p. 341-353 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Bat pest control contributes to food security in Thailand

    Wanger, T. C., Darras, K., Bumrungsri, S., Tscharntke, T. & Klein, A. M., 03.2014, In: Biological Conservation. 171, p. 220-223 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Do wild bees complement honeybee pollination of confection sunflowers in Israel?

    Pisanty, G., Klein, A.-M. & Mandelik, Y., 03.2014, In: Apidologie. 45, 2, p. 235-247 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on soil microbial communities in oak forests persist for more than 100 years

    Fichtner, A., Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Wilken, C. & Gutknecht, J., 03.2014, In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 70, p. 79-87 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Erdsystem, Klima und globale Stoffkreisläufe

    Palm, W.-U. & Urban, B., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin: Springer Verlag, p. 213-257 45 p.

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

  7. Published

    Host plant availability potentially limits butterfly distributions under cold environmental conditions

    Hanspach, J., Schweiger, O., Kühn, I., Plattner, M., Pearman, P. B., Zimmermann, N. E. & Settele, J., 03.2014, In: Ecography. 37, 3, p. 301-308 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Kommunikation, Partizipation und digitale Medien: Partizipation

    Newig, J., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 381-397 17 p.

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

  9. Published

    Methoden und Methodologie in den Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften

    Lang, D. J., Rode, H. & von Wehrden, H., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Michelsen, G. & Heinrichs, H. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 115-144 30 p.

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

  10. Published

    Pathogen induced disturbance and succession in temperate forests: Evidence from a 100-year data set in southern Sweden

    Brunet, J., Bukina, Y., Hedwall, P.-O., Holmström, E. & Oheimb, G., 03.2014, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 15, 2, p. 114-121 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Physicochemical properties and biodegradability of organically functionalized colloidal silica particles in aqueous environment

    Schneider, M., Meder, F., Haiß, A., Treccani, L., Rezwan, K. & Kümmerer, K., 03.2014, In: Chemosphere. 99, p. 96-101 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Plant diversity effects on pollinating and herbivorous insects can be linked to plant stoichiometry

    Abbas, M., Klein, A. M., Ebeling, A., Oelmann, Y., Ptacnik, R., Weisser, W. W. & Hillebrand, H., 03.2014, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 15, 2, p. 169-178 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Wasser

    Evers, M. & Newig, J., 03.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin: Springer Verlag, p. 475-500 26 p.

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

  14. Published

    Pollination and Plant Resources Change the Nutritional Quality of Almonds for Human Health

    Brittain, C., Kremen, C., Garber, A. K. & Klein, A.-M., 27.02.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 2, 7 p., e90082.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    The Three-Tiered Leuphana Model of Student Support

    Balsam, R., Newig, J. & Seifert, A., 20.02.2014, Lüneburg: Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Umweltkommunikation (INFU), 14 p. (INFU - Diskussionsbeiträge; no. 39/14).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  16. Published

    Sustainability-Oriented Innovation of SMEs: A Systematic Review

    Klewitz, J. & Hansen, E. G., 15.02.2014, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 65, p. 57-75 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published

    Using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix to synthesize biofuel and bioenergy impact assessment results: The example of medium scale bioenergy heat options

    Upham, P. & Smith, B., 15.02.2014, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 65, p. 261-269 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Anpassung an regionale Klimafolgen kommunizieren: Konzepte, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven

    Beese, K. (Editor), Fekkak, M. (Editor), Katz, C. (Editor), Körner, C. (Editor) & Molitor, H. (Editor), 13.02.2014, München: Oekom Verlag. 517 p. (Klimawandel in Regionen zukunftsfähig gestalten : Klimzug; vol. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  19. Published

    archiDART: a R package allowing root system architecture analysis using Data Analysis of Root Tracings (DART) output files

    Delory, B., Baudson, C., Brostaux, Y., Pagès, L., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 07.02.2014, Book of short abstracts, poster presentations: 19th National Symposium on Applied Biological Sciences. Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, p. 14 1 p.

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

  20. Published

    Development of an ex-vitro system allowing plant-bacteria interactions through VOCs in the context of water stress

    Mendaluk - Saunier de Cazenave, M., Baudson, C., Delory, B., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 07.02.2014, Book of short abstracts, poster presentations: 19th National Symposium on Applied Biological Sciences. Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, p. 98 1 p.

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

  21. Published

    Multi-level Governance, Policy Implementation and Participation: The EU’s Mandated Participatory Planning Approach to Implementing Environmental Policy

    Newig, J. & Koontz, T. M., 07.02.2014, In: Journal of European Public Policy. 21, 2, p. 248-267 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Quantitative gas chromatography - mass spectrometry profiling of volatile organic compounds produced by barley (Hordeum distichon L.) roots according to plant age

    Delory, B., Delaplace, P., du Jardin, P. & Fauconnier, M.-L., 07.02.2014, Book of short abstracts, Poster presentations: 19th National Symposium on Applied Biological Sciences. Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, p. 82 1 p.

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

  23. Published

    Identification of phototransformation products of thalidomide and mixture toxicity assessment: An experimental and quantitative structural activity relationships (QSAR) approach

    Mahmoud, W. M. M., Toolaram, A. P., Menz, J., Leder, C., Schneider, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.02.2014, In: Water Research. 49, 1, p. 11-22 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Bird community responses to the edge between suburbs and reserves

    Ikin, K., Barton, P. S., Knight, E., Lindenmayer, D. B., Fischer, J. & Manning, A. D., 02.2014, In: Oecologia. 174, 2, p. 545-557 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Economic Analysis for the UK National Ecosystem Assessment: Synthesis and Scenario Valuation of Changes in Ecosystem Services

    Bateman, I. J., Harwood, A. R., Abson, D., Andrews, B., Crowe, A., Dugdale, S., Fezzi, C., Foden, J., Hadley, D., Haines-Young, R., Hulme, M. F., Kontoleon, A., Munday, P., Pascual, U., Paterson, J. S., Perino, G., Sen, A., Siriwardena, G. M. & Termansen, M., 02.2014, In: Environmental and Resource Economics. 57, 2, p. 273-297 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Energy in low carbon cities and social learning: A process for defining priority research questions with UK stakeholders

    Martin, C. J., Taylor, P. G., Upham, P., Ghiasi, G., Bale, C. S. E., James, H., Owen, A., Gale, W. F., Slack, R. J. & Helmer, S., 02.2014, In: Sustainable Cities and Society. 10, p. 149-160 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Hochwasser- und Küstenschutz in Deutschland

    Brinkmann, B. & Heinrichs, H., 02.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 501-522 22 p.

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

  28. Published

    Mixed afforestation of young subtropical trees promotes nitrogen acquisition and retention

    Lang, A. C., von Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., Yang, B., Ma, K., Trogisch, S. & Bruelheide, H., 02.2014, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 51, 1, p. 224-233 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Nachhaltige Kommunalverwaltung

    Kirst, E., Trockel, S. & Heinrichs, H., 02.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 549-566 18 p.

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

  30. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften

    Heinrichs, H. (Editor) & Michelsen, G. (Editor), 02.2014, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum. 608 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesEducation

  31. Published

    Öffentliche Nachhaltigkeitssteuerung: Politik und nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Heinrichs, H., 02.2014, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften. Heinrichs, H. & Michelsen, G. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Spektrum, p. 279-289 11 p.

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

  32. Published

    Pressure effects on activity and selectivity of Candida rugosa lipase in organic solvents

    Herbst, D., Peper, S., Fernández, J. F., Ruck, W. & Niemeyer, B., 02.2014, In: Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic. 100, p. 104-110 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Tree diversity promotes functional dissimilarity and maintains functional richness despite species loss in predator assemblages

    Schuldt, A., Bruelheide, H., Durka, W., Michalski, S. G., Purschke, O. & Aßmann, T., 02.2014, In: Oecologia. 174, 2, p. 533-543 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Valuing Climate Change Effects Upon UK Agricultural GHG Emissions: Spatial Analysis of a Regulating Ecosystem Service

    Abson, D., Termansen, M., Pascual, U., Aslam, U., Fezzi, C. & Bateman, I. J., 02.2014, In: Environmental and Resource Economics. 57, 2, p. 215-231 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Wende zur Nachhaltigkeit: Warum wir mehr Forschung für die Menschen mit den Menschen brauchen

    Niebert, K., 02.2014, In: Umwelt Aktuell. 2, p. 4-5 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  36. Published

    Cradle to Cradle®. From recycling building components to up-cycllng buildings. Adapting to accelerated building cycles

    Mulhall, D. & Braungart, M., 30.01.2014, A New Dynamic: Effective Business in a Circular Economy . Webster, K., Bleriot, J., Johnson, C. & Foundation, E. M. (eds.). London: Ellen McArthur Foundation Publishing, p. 75-86 12 p.

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

  37. Published

    Corticosterone mediates carry-over effects between breeding and migration in the kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

    Schultner, J., Moe, B., Chastel, O., Tartu, S., Bech, C. & Kitaysky, A. S., 27.01.2014, In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. 496, p. 125-133 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Understanding the Greenhouse Effect by Embodiment: Analysing and Using Students' and Scientists' Conceptual Resources

    Niebert, K. & Gropengießer, H., 22.01.2014, In: International Journal of Science Education. 36, 2, p. 277-303 27 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Measurement of vapor pressures of selected PBDEs, hexabromobenzene, and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane at elevated temperatures

    Kuramochi, H., Takigami, H., Scheringer, M. & Sakai, S.-I., 09.01.2014, In: Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 59, 1, p. 8-15 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Emissions of polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans during 2010 and 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland

    Bogdal, C., Müller, C. E., Buser, A. M., Wang, Z., Scheringer, M., Gerecke, A. C., Schmid, P., Zennegg, M., Macleod, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 07.01.2014, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 48, 1, p. 482-490 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Interannual variation in land-use intensity enhances grassland multidiversity

    Allan, E., Bossdorf, O., Dormann, C. F., Prati, D., Gossner, M. M., Tscharntke, T., Blüthgen, N., Bellach, M., Birkhofer, K., Boch, S., Böhm, S., Börschig, C., Chatzinotas, A., Christ, S., Daniel, R., Diekötter, T., Fischer, C., Friedl, T., Glaser, K., Hallmann, C., Hodac, L., Hölzel, N., Jung, K., Klein, A. M., Klaus, V. H., Kleinebecker, T., Krauss, J., Lange, M., Morris, E. K., Müller, J., Nacke, H., Pašalić, E., Rillig, M. C., Rothenwöhrer, C., Schall, P., Scherber, C., Schulze, W., Socher, S. A., Steckel, J., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Türke, M., Weiner, C. N., Werner, M., Westphal, C., Wolters, V., Wubet, T., Gockel, S., Gorke, M., Hemp, A., Renner, S. C., Schöning, I., Pfeiffer, S., König-Ries, B., Buscot, F., Linsenmair, K. E., Schulze, E. D., Weisser, W. W. & Fischer, M., 07.01.2014, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 111, 1, p. 308-313 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Estimation of phosphorus export from a Mediterranean agricultural catchment with scarce data

    Gassmann, M., Brito, D. & Olsson, O., 02.01.2014, In: Hydrological Sciences Journal. 59, 1, p. 221–233 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Degradation of β-blockers in hospital wastewater by means of ozonation and Fe2+/ozonation

    Wilde, M. L., Montipó, S. & Martins, A. F., 01.01.2014, In: Water Research. 48, 1, p. 280-295 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Developed materials for thermal energy storage: synthesis and characterization

    Druske, M.-M., Fopah Lele, A., Korhammer, K., Rammelberg, H., Wegscheider, N., Ruck, W. & Schmidt, T., 01.01.2014, In: Energy Procedia. 61, p. 96-99 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference article in journalResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Dissipation and recycling: What losses, what dissipation impacts, and what recycling options?

    Yarime, M., Carliell-Marquet, C., Hellums, D. T., Kalmykova, Y., Lang, D. J., Bao Le, Q., Malley, D., Morf, L. S., Matsubae, K., Matsuo, M., Ohtake, H., Omlin, A. P., Petzet, S., Scholz, R. W., Shiroyama, H., Ulrich, A. E. & Watts, P., 01.01.2014, Sustainable Phosphorus Management: A Global Transdisciplinary Roadmap. Scholz, R. W., Roy, A. H., Brand, F. S., Hellums, D. T. & Ulrich, A. E. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 247-274 28 p.

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

  46. Published

    Diversity, threats and conservation of European wood-pastures

    Bergmeier, E. & Röllig, M., 01.01.2014, European Wood-pastures in Transition: A social-ecological approach. Hartel, T. & Plieninger, T. (eds.). London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 19-38 20 p. 2

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  47. Published

    Educating Change Agents for Sustainability: Learnings from the First Sustainability Management Master of Business Administration

    Hesselbarth, C. & Schaltegger, S., 01.01.2014, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 62, 1, p. 24-36 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Emerging Areas in Research on Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Management education, sustainable consumption and perspectives from Central and Eastern Europe

    Adomßent, M., Fischer, D., Godemann, J., Otte, I., Rieckmann, M., Timm, J.-M. & Herzig, C., 01.01.2014, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 62, 1, p. 1-7 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Forest Islands in an Agricultural Sea

    Klein, A.-M., Boreux, V. E., Bauhus, J., Chappell, M. J., Fischer, J. & Philpott, S. M., 01.01.2014, Global Forest Fragmentation. Kettle, C. J. & Koh, L. P. (eds.). Wallingford: CAB International, p. 79-95 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  50. Published

    Hydrograph analysis and basef low separation

    Aksoy, H., Wittenberg, H. & Eris, E., 01.01.2014, Handbook of Engineering Hydrology: Fundamentals and Applications. Eslamian, S. (ed.). CRC Press, p. 311-328 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  51. Published

    Influences of entrainers to engine oil to improve the drag-out of biodiesel: Experiments and simulations

    Mäder, A., Zimon, A., Fleischmann, A., Munack, A., Ruck, W. & Krahl, J., 01.01.2014, In: Fuel. 117, PART A, p. 488-498 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review