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. 2013
  2. Published

    Impact of rhizobacterial volatiles on Brachypodium distachyon (L.) Beauv. growth and response to abiotic stresses

    Baudson, C., Mendaluk - Saunier de Cazenave, M., Blondiaux, A., Delory, B., du Jardin, P. & Delaplace, P., 21.06.2013, 1st International Brachypodium Conference: Abstract book. Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, p. S6.3 1 p.

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

  3. Published

    Thermal Conductivity Measurement of Salt Hydrates as Porous Material using Calorimetric (DSC) Method

    Fopah Lele, A., Korhammer, K., Wegscheider, N., Rammelberg, H., Schmidt, T. & Ruck, W., 20.06.2013, 8th World Conference on Experimental Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics. Coelho, P. J. & Costa, M. (eds.). June 2013 ed. A. Faria - Edicia Electronica Lda, Vol. Proceedings ExHFT8. 5 p.

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

  4. Published

    The Conservation Value of Traditional Rural Landscapes: The Case of Woodpeckers in Transylvania, Romania

    Dorresteijn, I., Hartel, T., Hanspach, J., von Wehrden, H. & Fischer, J., 19.06.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 6, 7 p., e65236.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Adding the “e-” to Learning for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Innovation

    Barth, M. & Burandt, S., 13.06.2013, In: Sustainability. 5, 6, p. 2609-2622 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Differential responses of ecosystem components to a low-intensity fire in a Mediterranean forest: A three-year case study

    García-Tejero, S., Taboada Palomares, A., Tárrega, R., Marcos, E. & Salgado, J. M., 01.06.2013, In: Community Ecology. 14, 1, p. 110-120 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Understanding and Communicating Climate Change in Metaphors

    Niebert, K. & Gropengiesser, H., 01.06.2013, In: Environmental Education Research. 19, 3, p. 282-302 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung zum Thema „Wasser“

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 06.2013, In: Hydrologie und Wasserbewirtschaftung. 57, 3, p. 116-125 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Calculation of Physicochemical Properties for Short- and Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins

    Glüge, J., Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M., Buser, A. M. & Hungerbühler, K., 06.2013, In: Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data. 42, 2, 12 p., 023103 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Exploring universities' transformative potential for sustainability-bound learning in changing landscapes of knowledge communication

    Adomßent, M., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, Juni, p. 11-24 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Food waste as nutrient source in heterotrophic microalgae cultivation

    Pleissner, D., Lam, W. C., Sun, Z. & Lin, C. S. K., 06.2013, In: Bioresource Technology. 137, p. 139-146 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published

    Integrating rural development and biodiversity conservation in Central Romania

    Newig, J., Milcu, A. I., Hartel, T., Mikulcak, F. & Fischer, J., 06.2013, In: Environmental Conservation. 40, 2, p. 129-137 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Internetbasierte kognitiv-behaviorale Behandlungsansätze: state of the art und Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Rehabilitation

    Lin, J., Ebert, D. D., Lehr, D., Berking, M. & Baumeister, H., 06.2013, In: Die Rehabilitation. 52, 3, p. 155-163 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Learning for sustainable development in regional networks

    Dlouha, J., Barton, A., Huisingh, D. & Adomßent, M., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  15. Published

    Monitoring networking between higher education institutions and regional actors

    Mader, M., Mader, C., Zimmermann, F. M., Görsdorf-Lechevin, E. & Diethart, M., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, Juni, p. 105-113 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Nachhaltige Wissenschaft in der akademischen Ausbildung: Das Programm einer transformativen Bildung an NaWis-Institutionen

    Chrubasik, N., Ernst, A., Lang, D. J., Schneidewind, U., Simon, K.-H., Singer-Brodowski, M. & Vilsmaier, U., 06.2013, In: GAIA. 22, 2, p. 132-134 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  17. Published

    Relationships between human activity and richness and abundance of some bird species in the Paraguay river (Pantanal, Brazil)

    Lozano, J. & Malo, A. F., 06.2013, In: Ardeola. 60, 1, p. 99-112 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Sustainability process assessment on transformative potentials: The Graz Model for Integrative Development

    Mader, C., 06.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 49, June, p. 54-63 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Correction: Bats in a farming landscape benefit from linear remnants and unimproved pastures

    Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Fischer, J., Law, B., Hanspach, J. & Martin, T. G., 23.05.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5

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

  20. Published

    Farmed areas predict the distribution of amphibian ponds in a traditional rural landscape

    Hartel, T. & von Wehrden, H., 21.05.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 5, 8 p., e63649.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Interactive effects among ecosystem services and management practices on crop production: Pollination in coffee agroforestry systems

    Boreux, V., Kushalappa, C. G., Vaast, P. & Ghazoul, J., 21.05.2013, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). 110, 21, p. 8387-8392 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Oxidation-coagulation of β-blockers by K2Fe(VI)O4 in hospital wastewater: Assessment of degradation products and biodegradability

    Wilde, M. L., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Kümmerer, K. & Martins, A. F., 01.05.2013, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 452-453, p. 137-147 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    A global quantitative synthesis of local and landscape effects on wild bee pollinators in agroecosystems

    Kennedy, C. M., Lonsdorf, E., Neel, M. C., Williams, N. M., Ricketts, T. H., Winfree, R., Bommarco, R., Brittain, C., Burley, A. L., Cariveau, D., Carvalheiro, L. G., Chacoff, N. P., Cunningham, S. A., Danforth, B. N., Dudenhöffer, J.-H., Elle, E., Gaines, H. R., Garibaldi, L. A., Gratton, C., Greenleaf, S. S., Holzschuh, A., Isaacs, R., Javorek, S. K., Jha, S., Klein, A. M., Krewenka, K., Mandelik, Y., Mayfield, M. M., Morandin, L., Neame, L. A., Otieno, M., Park, M., Potts, S. G., Rundlöf, M., Saez, A., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Taki, H., Viana, B. F., Westphal, C., Wilson, J. K. & Kremen, C., 05.2013, In: Ecology Letters. 16, 5, p. 584-599 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in der Post-Dekade

    Michelsen, G., 05.2013, Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Jahrbuch 2013. F. U. F. N. E. (ed.). Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 10-15 6 p.

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

  25. Published

    Corporate Sustainability Meets Transdisciplinarity

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hansen, E. G., 05.2013, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 22, 4, p. 217-218 2 p.

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

  26. Published

    EduCamp - Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in Ägypten

    Mader, M., Sewilam, H. & Mader, C., 05.2013, Bildung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Jahrbuch 2013. F. U. F. N. E. (ed.). Wien: FORUM Umweltbildung im Umweltdachverband, p. 139-145 7 p.

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

  27. Published

    Land use changes and ground dwelling beetle conservation in extensive grazing dehesa systems of north-west Spain

    Garcia-Tejero, S., Taboada Palomares, A., Tarrega, R. & Salgado, J. M., 05.2013, In: Biological Conservation. 161, p. 58-66 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Managing invasive species amidst high uncertainty and novelty

    Larson, B. M. H., Kueffer, C., the ZiF Working Group on Ecological Novelty & Klein, A.-M., 05.2013, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 28, 5, p. 255-256 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  29. Published

    Scale-dependent diversity patterns affect spider assemblages of two contrasting forest ecosystems

    Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T. & Schaefer, M., 05.2013, In: Acta Oecologica. 49, p. 17-22 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Transdisciplinarity in Corporate Sustainability: Mapping the Field

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hansen, E. G., 05.2013, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 22, 4, p. 219-229 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Worldwide distribution of Persistent Organic Pollutants in air, including results of air monitoring by passive air sampling in five continents

    Bogdal, C., Scheringer, M., Abad, E., Abalos, M., van Bavel, B., Hagberg, J. & Fiedler, H., 05.2013, In: Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 46, p. 150-161 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Produktive Funktionen von Kollaps und Zerstörung für gesellschaftliche Transformationsprozesse in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit

    Newig, J. & Balsam, R., 29.04.2013, Soziale Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit: Perspektiven sozialen Wandels. Rückert-John, J. (ed.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 133-149 17 p. (Innovation und Gesellschaft).

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

  33. Published

    Chronic ecotoxic effects to Pseudomonas putida and Vibrio fischeri, and cytostatic and genotoxic effects to the hepatoma cell line (HepG2) of ofloxacin photo(cata)lytically treated solutions

    Vasquez, M., Garcia-Käufer, M., Hapeshi, E., Menz, J., Kostarelos, K., Fatta-Kassinos, D. & Kümmerer, K., 15.04.2013, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 450-451, p. 356-365 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    The Upcycle: Beyond sustainability Designing for abundance

    Braungart, M. & McDonough, W., 13.04.2013, New York : North Point Press. 227 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  35. Published

    Medien und klimabewusstes Verhalten: Die Bedeutung des Fernsehens für ein nachhaltiges Alltagshandeln bei Jugendlichen

    Lüdecke, G., 04.04.2013, München: Oekom Verlag. 287 p. (Hochschulschriften zur Nachhaltigkeit; vol. 58)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Multiple Glacial Refugia of the Low-Dispersal Ground Beetle Carabus irregularis: Molecular Data Support Predictions of Species Distribution Models

    Homburg, K., Drees, C., Gossner, M. M., Rakosy, L., Vrezec, A. & Aßmann, T., 04.04.2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 4, 12 p., e61185.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published
  38. Published

    The influence of agricultural system, stand structural complexity and landscape context on foraging birds in oil palm landscapes

    Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J., Manning, A., McElhinny, C., Zakaria, M. & Fischer, J., 01.04.2013, In: Ibis. 155, 2, p. 297-312 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    A Global Classroom for International Sustainability Education

    Wiek, A., Bernstein, M. J., Laubichler, M., Minteer, B., Lang, D. J. & Caniglia, G., 04.2013, In: Creative Education. 4, 4A, p. 19 - 28 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Allele elimination recalculated: nested subset analyses for molecular biogeographical data

    Habel, J. C., Ulrich, W. & Aßmann, T., 04.2013, In: Journal of Biogeography. 40, 4, p. 769-777 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Business Models for Sustainable Innovation: State-of-the-Art and Steps Towards a Research Agenda

    Boons, F. A. A. & Lüdeke-Freund, F., 04.2013, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 45, p. 9-19 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Collaboration between the natural, social and human sciences in Global Change Research

    Holm, P., Goodsite, M. E., Cloetingh, S. A. P. L., Agnoletti, M., Moldan, B., Lang, D. J., Leemans, R., Moeller, J. O., Buendía, M. P., Pohl, W., Scholz, R. W., Sors, A., Vanheusden, B., Yusoff, K. & Zondervan, R., 04.2013, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 28, Special Issue, p. 25-35 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Environmental Protection of Foreign Firms in Germany: Does the country of origin matter?

    Weche Gelübcke, J. P. & Wedl, I., 04.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 39 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 267).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  44. Published

    Lipids in preventive dentistry

    Kensche, A., Reich, M., Kümmerer, K., Hannig, M. & Hannig, C., 04.2013, In: Clinical Oral Investigations. 17, 3, p. 669-685 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Many roads lead to sustainability: A process-oriented analysis of change in higher education

    Barth, M., 04.2013, In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 14, 2, p. 160-175 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  46. Published

    US agricultural sector analysis on pesticide externalities – the impact of climate change and a Pigovian tax

    Shakhramanyan, N. G., Schneider, U. A. & McCarl, B. A., 04.2013, In: Climatic Change. 117, 4, p. 711-723 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published
  48. Published

    Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance

    Garibaldi, L. A., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Winfree, R., Aizen, M. A., Bommarco, R., Cunningham, S. A., Kremen, C., Carvalheiro, L. G., Harder, L. D., Afik, O., Bartomeus, I., Benjamin, F., Boreux, V., Cariveau, D., Chacoff, N. P., Dudenhöffer, J. H., Freitas, B. M., Ghazoul, J., Greenleaf, S., Hipólito, J., Holzschuh, A., Howlett, B., Isaacs, R., Javorek, S. K., Kennedy, C. M., Krewenka, K. M., Krishnan, S., Mandelik, Y., Mayfield, M. M., Motzke, I., Munyuli, T., Nault, B. A., Otieno, M., Petersen, J., Pisanty, G., Potts, S. G., Rader, R., Ricketts, T. H., Rundlöf, M., Seymour, C. L., Schüepp, C., Szentgyörgyi, H., Taki, H., Tscharntke, T., Vergara, C. H., Viana, B. F., Wanger, T. C., Westphal, C., Williams, N. & Klein, A. M., 29.03.2013, In: Science. 340, 6127, p. 1608-1611 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Policy schemes, operational strategies and system integration of residential co-generation fuel cells.

    Pade, L.-L., Schröder, S. T., Münster, M., Birkl, C., Ropenus, S., Morthorst, P. E., Obé, E., Kötter, E., Huber, A., Costa , A. & Kroff , P., 07.03.2013, In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 38, 7, p. 3050–3063 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Synergistic effects of non-Apis bees and honey bees for pollination services

    Brittain, C., Williams, N., Kremen, C. & Klein, A.-M., 07.03.2013, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 280, 1754, p. 2012-2767 7 p., 20122767.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Die Entwicklung des deutschen Umweltrechts seit 1945

    Sanden, J., 01.03.2013, Umweltpolitik und Umweltrecht in Deutschland und Südkorea. Eschborn, N. (ed.). Seoul: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung , p. 29-140 112 p.

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