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. 2012
  2. Published

    Thesen zum Stellenwert und zu Potenzialen gerechtigkeitsbasierter Naturschutzkommunikation

    Adomßent, M., 2012, Gerechtigkeitsargumente – Chancen und Herausforderungen für die Naturschutzkommunikation. : Dokumentation eines interdisziplinären Workshops am 29. März 2012 im BfN. B. F. N. (ed.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 37-41 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  3. Published

    Transcultural Science from the Perspective of international Organisations

    Thein, K. N. N. & Urban, B., 2012, Von der Internationalisierung der Hochschule zur Transkulturellen Wissenschaft: Wissenschaftliche Konferenz 2010 an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Cremer-Renz, C. & Jansen-Schulz, B. (eds.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 283-300 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  4. Published

    Transdisciplinary Research

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 2012, The Encyclopedia of Sustainability: Measurements, Indicators, and Research Methods for Sustainability. Fogel, D., Fredericks, S., Harrington, L. & Spellerberg, I. (eds.). Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing, Vol. 6. p. 355 - 358 4 p.

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

  5. Published

    UNESCO chairs for (higher) education for sustainable development

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, In: IAU Horizons. 18, 2, p. 16-17 2 p.

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

  6. Published

    University-Industry Collaboration to Stimulate Learning in the Context of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations

    Klewitz, J., 2012, Leuphana Sustainability Summit: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

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

  7. Published

    Unternehmen & Biodiversität: Biodiversität im unternehmerischen Immobilien- und Liegenschaftsmanagement

    Heitepriem, N., 2012, Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt XI: Interdisziplinärer Forschungsaustausch im Rahmen des Übereinkommens über die biologische Vielfalt. Bonn - Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 137-142 6 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 309).

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

  8. Published

    Using ‘mixed methods’ in sustainable consumption research: approaches, challenges and added value

    Jäger-Erben, M., Schäfer, M., Dalichau, D., Dehmel, C., Götz, K., Fischer, D., Homburg, A., Schulz, M. & Zundel, S., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it: Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., D Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 143–159 17 p. (Results of Social-ecological Research; vol. 14).

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

  9. Published

    Vergleich der Wärmeabsorption von Gasen

    Niebert, K. & Sieve, B., 2012, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 23, 129, p. 49-50 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  10. Published

    Vom Blick der politischen Bildung aufs Ganze. Intersektionale Perspektiven in der Gewaltprävention.

    Offen, S. & Schmidt, J., 2012, Zivilcourage und Gewaltprävention im Fokus politischer Bildung: Qualifizierungskonzept. Jansen, L. (ed.). Wuppertal: Bundesarbeitskreis Arbeit und Leben, p. 21-30 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsTransfer

  11. Published

    Vom integrierten Umwelt- zum heutigen Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement: Eine Fallstudie aus der Telekommunikationsbranche im Lichte des Winter-Modells

    Schaltegger, S. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Georg Winter - Pionier der umweltbewussten Unternehmensführung: Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag. Seidel, E. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 255-276 22 p.

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

  12. Published

    Vorsorgendes Wirtschaften

    Biesecker, A. & Gottschlich, D., 2012, ABC der Alternativen 2.0: Von Alltagskultur bis Zivilgesellschaft. Brand, U., Lösch, B., Opratko, B. & Thimmel, S. (eds.). Hamburg: VSA-Verlag, p. 320-322 2 p.

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

  13. Published

    Vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj pro pedagogy v mateřských školách

    Stoltenberg, U., 2012, Školka blízká přírodě: Příručka předškolního vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj. Asociace lesních mateřských škol. Vošahlíková, T. (ed.). Praha (Prag): Asociace lesních mateřských škol

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  14. Published

    Was bewegt die Jugend? Greenpeace Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer

    Michelsen, G., Grunenberg, H. & Rode, H., 2012, Homburg/ Taunus: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 213 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  15. Published

    Wende überall? Von Vorreitern, Nachzüglern und Sitzenbleibern ; in memoriam Günter Altner

    Michelsen, G. (Editor), Leitschuh, H. (Editor), Simonis, U. E. (Editor), Sommer, J. (Editor) & Weizsäcker, E. U. V. (Editor), 2012, Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag. 256 p. (Jahrbuch Ökologie; vol. 2013)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  16. Published

    Whistle-Blowing heißt nicht: "verpfeifen": Ordonomische Überlegungen zur Korruptionsprävention durch und in Unternehmen

    Pies, I. & Beckmann, M., 2012, Korruption als internationales Phänomen: Ursachen, Auswirkungen und Bekämpfung eines weltweiten Problems. Fifka, M. S. & Falke, A. (eds.). Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 67-94 28 p.

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

  17. Published

    Wie werden Nachhaltigkeitsinformationen gemanagt? Eine Exploration in führenden deutschen und britischen Unternehmen

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2012, Nachhaltigkeit: Unternehmerisches Handeln in globaler Verantwortung. Corsten, H. & Roth, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, p. 275-285 11 p.

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

  18. Published

    Wirtschaften in Netzen

    Lang, F. J., Schrader, R. & Burandt, A., 2012, In: Unsere Wirtschaft. 63, 03/2012, p. 20-22 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  19. Published

    Wirtschaftswende durch nachhaltiges Unternehmertum

    Schaltegger, S. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Jahrbuch Ökologie 2013: Wende überall ?. Leitschuh-Fecht, H., Michelsen, G., Simonis, U., Sommer, J. & Weizsäcker, E. U. (eds.). Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, p. 64-75 12 p.

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

  20. Published

    Zum Stand der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation – Potenziale für Nachhaltigkeitsjournalismus

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, Umwelt Europa: Grüne Gesellschaft und europäische Krise - neue Fragen an den Journalismus. Schulte-Reckert, C. & Schäfer, T. (eds.). Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, p. 20–28 9 p.

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

  21. Published

    再生可能エネルギー促進に向けたドイツの法的ステップ

    Sanden, J., 2012, In: Kankyō-to-kōgai. 42, p. 51-57 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. 2011
  23. Published

    The conservation value of oil palm plantation estates, smallholdings and logged peat swamp forest for birds

    Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D., Wood, J., Fischer, J., Manning, A., McElhinny, C. & Zakaria, M., 15.12.2011, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 262, 12, p. 2306–2315 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Climate Change: Implications for Europe's Security and Defence Policy: How Climate Change affects the Security of Europe

    Laws, N., 08.12.2011, Saarbrücken: AV Akademikerverlag. 135 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  25. Published

    Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment

    Kümmerer, K., 07.12.2011, Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment. Keen, P. & Montforts, M. (eds.). 1. ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., p. 325-335 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  26. Published

    Exploring large vegetation databases to detect temporal trends in species occurrences

    Jandt, U., von Wehrden, H. & Bruelheide, H., 01.12.2011, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 22, 6, p. 957-972 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Mechanisms of purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) encroachment in dry heathland ecosystems with chronic nitrogen inputs

    Friedrich, U., Oheimb, G., Dziedek, C., Selbmann, K., Härdtle, W. & Kriebitzsch, W.-U., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 12, p. 3553-3559 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Plant species diversity in dry coastal dunes of the southern Baltic coast

    Peyrat, J. & Fichtner, A., 01.12.2011, In: Community Ecology. 12, 2, p. 220-226 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Quantifying diffuse and point inputs of perfluoroalkyl acids in a nonindustrial river catchment

    Müller, C. E., Spiess, N., Gerecke, A. C., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 45, 23, p. 9901-9909 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Screening criteria for long-range transport potential of organic substances in water

    Zarfl, C., Scheringer, M. & Matthies, M., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 45, 23, p. 10075-10081 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published
  32. Published

    Development and Testing of Water-Filled Tube Systems for Flood Protection Measures

    Koppe, B. & Brinkmann, B., 12.2011, STRUCTURAL MEMBRANES 2011: V International Conference on Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures. Onate, E., Kröplin, B. & Bletzinger, K.-U. (eds.). Barcelona: International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), p. 319-329 11 p. (Structural Membranes 2011 - 5th International Conference on Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures).

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

  33. Published

    Eresus kollari (Araneae: Eresidae) calls for heathland management.

    Krause, R. H., Buse, J., Matern, A., Schröder, B., Härdtle, W. & Aßmann, T., 12.2011, In: The Journal of Arachnology. 39, 3, p. 384–392 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Gender mainstreaming and participative planning for sustainable land management

    Evers, M. & Hofmeister, S., 12.2011, In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 54, 10, p. 1315-1329 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Genetic erosion in habitat specialist shows need to protect large peat bogs

    Drees, C., Zumstein, P., Buck-Dobrick, T., Härdtle, W., Matern, A., Meyer, H., Oheimb, G. & Aßmann, T., 12.2011, In: Conservation Genetics. 12, 6, p. 1651-1656 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Scenarios for the Implementation of EU Waste Legislation at National Level and their Consequences for Emissions from Municipal Waste Incineration

    Saner, D., Blumer, Y. B., Lang, D. & Koehler, A., 12.2011, In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 57, p. 67-77 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Two high-mountain burnet moth species (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae) react differently to the global change drivers climate and land-use

    Dieker, P., Drees, C. & Aßmann, T., 12.2011, In: Biological Conservation. 144, 12, p. 2810–2818 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Conservation: Limits of land sparing

    Fischer, J., Batáry, P., Bawa, K. S., Brussaard, L., Chappell, M. J., Clough, Y., Daily, G. C., Dorrough, J., Hartel, T., Jackson, L. E., Klein, A. M., Kremen, C., Kuemmerle, T., Lindenmayer, D. B., Mooney, H. A., Perfecto, I., Philpott, S. M., Tscharntke, T., Vandermeer, J., Wanger, T. C. & von Wehrden, H., 04.11.2011, In: Science. 334, 6056, p. 593-594 1 p.

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

  39. Published

    Utilities’ Business Models for Renewable Energy: Evidence from Germany

    Richter, M., 03.11.2011, Conference Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress 2011: Policy Issues. Moshfegh, B. (ed.). Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, Vol. 10. p. 2385-2392 8 p. (Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings).

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

  40. Published

    A Glance at the World

    Sasu, S., Metzger, J., Kranert, M. & Kümmerer, K., 11.2011, In: Waste Management. 31, 11, p. 2361-2364 4 p.

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

  41. Published

    A new approach to data evaluation in the non-target screening of organic trace substances in water analysis

    Müller, A., Ruck, W., Weber, W. H. & Schulz, W., 11.2011, In: Chemosphere. 85, 8, p. 1211–1219 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Energie als Schlüsselthema einer Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung: Ergebnisse aus der Evaluation und Konsequenzen für die pädagogische Praxis in der Diskussion

    Benoist, B., Moths, K. & Kosler, T., 11.2011, Hier spielt die Zukunft : Kinder. Werte. Klimaschutz: Dokumentation zur Fachtagung vom 02.12. - 03.12.2010/Potsdam. Müller, A. (ed.). Leuchtpol, p. 57 -59 3 p. (Schriftenreihe der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung Bundesverand e.V.; no. 19)(Leuchtpol Bibliothek Sonderedition; no. 4).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  43. Published

    Habitat invasion risk assessment based on Landsat 5 data, exemplified by the shrub Rosa rubiginosa in southern Argentina

    Zimmermann, H., von Wehrden, H., Damascos, M., Bran, D., Welk, E., Renison, D. & Hensen, I., 11.2011, In: Austral Ecology. 36, 7, p. 870-880 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Werte im Konzept einer Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Stoltenberg, U., 11.2011, Hier spielt die Zukunft. Kinder. Werte. Klimaschutz: Dokumentation zur Fachtagung vom 02.12. - 03.12.2010/Potsdam. Müller, A. (ed.). Frankfurt am Main: Leuchtpol, p. 10-18 9 p. (Schriftenreihe der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung Bundesverband e.V.; vol. 19)(Leuchtpol Bibliothek Sonderedition; no. 4).

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

  45. Published

    Environmental Management Accounting

    Bennett, M., Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 26.10.2011, Review of Management Accounting Research. Abdel-Kader, M. (ed.). Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 53-84 32 p.

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

  46. Published

    Religiöse und Ästhetische Strategien der Erhaltung und Erinnerung oraler Traditionen: jüdische Textkultur und das Werk Arnold Dreyblatts – zwischen Performanz und digitaler Remedialisierung

    Holz, V., 07.10.2011, Neues Erbe: Aspekte, Perspektiven und Konsequenzen der digitalen Überlieferung. Robertson-von Trotha, C. Y. & Hauser, R. (eds.). Karlsruhe: KIT Scientific Publishing, p. 163-180 18 p. (Kulturelle Überlieferung - Digital; vol. 1).

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

  47. Published

    Fusionsprotein und dessen Verwendungen

    Leder, C., Gawaz, M., Ziegler, M. & Stellos, K., 06.10.2011, IPC No. DE 102010013887A1, Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt, 30.03.2010

    Research output: PatentsPatent

  48. Published

    Genetic relatedness and chemical profiles in an unusually peaceful eusocial bee

    Leonhardt, S. D., Form, S., Blüthgen, N., Schmitt, T. & Feldhaar, H., 01.10.2011, In: Journal of Chemical Ecology. 37, 10, p. 1117-1126 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Release of monomers from four different composite materials after halogen and LED curing

    Polydorou, O., König, A., Altenburger, M. J., Wolkewitz, M., Hellwig, E. & Kümmerer, K., 01.10.2011, In: American Journal of Dentistry. 24, 5, p. 315-321 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Surveying Southern Mongolia: Application of multivariate classification methods in drylands with low diversity and long floristic gradients

    Wesche, K. & Von Wehrden, H., 01.10.2011, In: Applied Vegetation Science. 14, 4, p. 561-570 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Continental-scale ecology versus landscape-scale case studies

    Fischer, J., Hanspach, J. & Hartel, T., 10.2011, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 9, 8, p. 430-430 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  52. Published

    Emerging Contaminants versus Micro-pollutants

    Kümmerer, K., 10.2011, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 39, 10, p. 889–890 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch