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. 2011
  2. Published

    Incomplete aerobic degradation of the antidiabetic drug Metformin and identification of the bacterial dead-end transformation product Guanylurea

    Trautwein, C. & Kümmerer, K., 10.2011, In: Chemosphere. 85, 5, p. 765-773 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Joint Management-Stakeholder Committees: A New Path to Stakeholder Governance?

    Spitzeck, H., Hansen, E. G. & Grayson, D., 10.2011, In: Corporate Governance. 11, 5, p. 560–568 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Kleidungspraktiken erforschen! „Kulturelle Dimensionen“ der Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung befragen

    Offen, S., 10.2011, In: www.widerstreit-sachunterricht.de. 17, 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  5. Published

    Stability of pollination services decreases with isolation from natural areas despite honey bee visits

    Garibaldi, L. A., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Kremen, C., Morales, J. M., Bommarco, R., Cunningham, S. A., Carvalheiro, L. G., Chacoff, N. P., Dudenhöffer, J. H., Greenleaf, S. S., Holzschuh, A., Isaacs, R., Krewenka, K., Mandelik, Y., Mayfield, M. M., Morandin, L. A., Potts, S. G., Ricketts, T. H., Szentgyörgyi, H., Viana, B. F., Westphal, C., Winfree, R. & Klein, A. M., 10.2011, In: Ecology Letters. 14, 10, p. 1062-1072 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  6. Published

    Stoffstromnetzbasierte Planung und Optimierung komplexer Produktionssysteme

    Viere, T., Brünner, H. & Hedemann, J., 10.2011, In: Chemie-Ingenieur-Technik. 83, 10, p. 1565-1572 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Sustainability Innovation Contests: Evaluating Contributions with an Eco Impact-Innovativeness Typology

    Hansen, E. G., Bullinger, A. C. & Reichwald, R., 10.2011, In: International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development. 5, 2/3, p. 221–245 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published
  9. Published
  10. Published

    Vertical emission profiles for Europe based on plume rise calculations

    Bieser, J., Aulinger, A., Matthias, V., Quante, M. & Denier Van Der Gon, H. A. C., 10.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 10, p. 2935-2946 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Identifying the Research and Infrastructure Needs for the Global Assessment of Hazardous Chemicals Ten Years after Establishing the Stockholm Convention

    Klánová, J., Diamond, M., Jones, K., Lammel, G., Lohmann, R., Pirrone, N., Scheringer, M., Balducci, C., Bidleman, T., Bláha, K., Bláha, L., Booij, K., Bouwman, H., Breivik, K., Eckhardt, S., Fiedler, H., Garrigues, P., Harner, T., Holoubek, I., Hung, H., MacLeod, M., Magulova, K., Mosca, S., Pistocchi, A., Simonich, S., Smedes, F., Stephanou, E., Sweetman, A., Sebková, K., Venier, M., Vighi, M., Vrana, B., Wania, F., Weber, R. & Weiss, P., 15.09.2011, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 45, 18, p. 7617-7619 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  12. Published

    Pitfalls and potential of institutional change: rain-index insurance and the sustainability of rangeland management

    Müller, B., Quaas, M., Frank, K. & Baumgärtner, S., 15.09.2011, In: Ecological Economics. 70, 11, p. 2137-2144 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Pitfalls and potential of institutional change: Rain-index insurance and the sustainability of rangeland management

    Müller, B., Quaas, M. F., Frank, K. & Baumgärtner, S., 15.09.2011, In: Ecological Economics. 70, 11, p. 2137-2144 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Prizewinning Concept for the Redevelopment of 125 ha in the Heart of the Port of Hamburg, Germany

    Brinkmann, B., 15.09.2011, 20th Australasian Coastal and Ocean Engineering Conference 2011 and the 13th Australasian Port and Harbour Conference 2011 : (Coasts & Ports 2011) . Engineers Australia, p. 436-440 5 p. (20th Australasian Coastal and Ocean Engineering Conference 2011 and the 13th Australasian Port and Harbour Conference 2011, COASTS and PORTS 2011).

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

  15. Published

    Assessing Corporate Sustainability Through Ratings: Challenges and Their Causes

    Windolph, S. E., 09.2011, In: Journal of Environmental Sustainability. 1, 1, p. 61-80 22 p., 5.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Environmental Sustainability and Supply Chain Management: A Framework of Cross-Functional Integration and Knowledge Transfer

    Harms, D., 09.2011, In: Journal of Environmental Sustainability. 1, 1, p. 121-141 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    Offensive GHG-Management and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

    Hesselbarth, C. & Castrellon Gutierrez, B., 09.2011, Emissions Trading and Business: Institutional Design, Decision Making and Corporate Strategies. Antes, R., Hansjürgens, B., Letmathe, P. & Pickl, S. (eds.). 2. ed. Heidelberg u.a.: Springer Verlag, p. 181-192 14 p.

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

  18. Published

    Ökoeffizienz in deutschen Unternehmen

    Zeyen, A., Klewitz, J. & Hansen, E. G., 31.08.2011, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 26, 3, p. 47-50 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  19. Published

    Spray-dried chitosan-metal microparticles for ciprofloxacin adsorption: Kinetic and equilibrium studies

    Reynaud, F., Tsapis, N., Deyme, M., Vasconcelos, T. G., Gueutin, C., Guterres, S. S., Pohlmann, A. R. & Fattal , E., 21.08.2011, In: Soft Matter. 7, 16, p. 7304-7312 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Verfahren, Wärmespeicher und Wärmespeichersystem zur Erwärmung und Abkühlung eines Arbeitsfluides

    Ruck, W., Opel, O. & Homberger, G., 18.08.2011, IPC No. F01K25/06 , F01K3/00 , F28D17/00 , F28D20/003, Y02E60/14, Europäisches Patentamt, Patent No. WO2011098228A2, 03.02.2011, Priority date 15.02.2010, Priority No. DE102010008111A

    Research output: PatentsPatent

  21. Published

    New evidence for vegetation development and timing of Upper Middle Pleistocene interglacials in Northern Germany and tentative correlations

    Urban, B., Sierralta, M. & Frechen, M., 15.08.2011, In: Quaternary International. 241, 1-2, p. 125-142 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Tree resin composition, collection behavior and selective filters shape chemical profiles of tropical bees (Apidae: Meliponini)

    Leonhardt, S. D., Schmitt, T. & Blüthgen, N., 08.08.2011, In: PLoS ONE. 6, 8, 10 p., e23445.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Cost-effective Biodiversity Conservation: Procurement Auctions and Payment-by-Results

    Groth, M., 04.08.2011, In: EuroChoices. 10, 2, p. 32-37 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Identifizierung und Bewertung ausgewählter Arzneimittel und ihrer Metaboliten (Ab- und Umbauprodukte) im Wasserkreislauf

    Kümmerer, K., Schuster, A., Längin, A., Happel, O., Thoma, A., Schneider, K., Hassauer, M., Gartiser, S. & Hafner, C., 01.08.2011, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 195 p. (Texte; vol. 46/2011).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsTransfer

  25. Published

    Australia’s Stock Route Network: 1. A review of its values, and implications for future management

    Lentini, P. E., Fischer, J., Gibbons, P., Lindenmayer, D. & Martin, T., 08.2011, In: Ecological Management & Restoration. 12, 2, p. 119-127 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  26. Published

    Australia’s Stock Route Network: 2. Representation of fertile landscapes

    Lentini, P. E., Fischer, J., Gibbons, P., Lindenmayer, D. & Martin, T., 08.2011, In: Ecological Management & Restoration. 12, 2, p. 148-151 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Competitive Markets, Corporate Firms, and New Governance: An Ordonomic Conceptualization

    Pies, I., Beckmann, M. & Hielscher, S., 08.2011, Corporate Citizenship and New Governance: The Political Role of Corporations. Pies, I. & Koslowski , P. (eds.). Dordrecht: Springer Verlag, p. 171-188 18 p. (Ethical Economics : Studies in Economic Ethics and Philosophy).

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

  28. Published

    Debt for Brands: Tracking Down a Bias in Financing Photovoltaic Projects in Germany

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Loock, M., 08.2011, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 19, 12, p. 1356-1364 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Dissolved carbon leaching from an Irish cropland soil is increased by reduced tillage and cover cropping

    Walmsley, D. C., Siemens, J., Kindler, R., Kirwan, L., Saunders, M., Kaupenjohann, M., Osborne, B. A. & Kaiser, K., 08.2011, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 142, 3-4, p. 393-402 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Erratum to "Generic functions of railway stations-A conceptual basis for the development of common system understanding and assessment criteria" [Transp. Policy 18 (2010) 446-455]

    Zemp, S., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. J. & Scholz, R. W., 08.2011, In: Transport Policy. 18, 4, p. 648-648 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  31. Published

    Konzeption und Praxis des Nachhaltigkeitscontrollings: Ansatzpunkte in großen deutschen Unternehmen

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 08.2011, In: Controlling. 23, 8/9, p. 430-435 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Measuring the Impacts of NGO Partnerships: The Corporate and Societal Benefits of Community Involvement

    Hansen, E. G. & Spitzeck, H., 08.2011, In: Corporate Governance. 11, 4, p. 415-426 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Online Peer-to-Peer Lending: A Literature Review

    Bachmann, A., Becker, A., Bürckner, D., Hilker, M., Kock, F., Lehmann, M., Tiburtius, P. & Funk, B., 08.2011, In: Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce. 16, 2, p. 1-18 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  34. Published

    The cuticular profiles of Australian stingless bees are shaped by resin of the eucalypt tree Corymbia torelliana

    Leonhardt, S., Wallace, H. M. & Schmitt, T., 08.2011, In: Austral Ecology. 36, 5, p. 537–543 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Predator diversity and abundance provide little support for the enemies hypothesis in forests of high tree diversity

    Schuldt, A., Both, S., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W., Schmid, B., Zhou, H. & Aßmann, T., 28.07.2011, In: PLoS ONE. 6, 7, 8 p., e22905.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Analyses of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

    Ali, I., Aboul-Enein, H. Y. & Kümmerer, K., 05.07.2011, Biophysico-Chemical Processes of Anthropogenic Organic Compounds in Environmental Systems. Xing, B., Senesi, N. & Ming, P. (eds.). 1 ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc., p. 439-462 24 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  37. Published

    Classifying railway stations for strategic transport and land use planning: Context matters!

    Zemp, S., Stauffacher, M., Lang, D. & Scholz, R. W., 07.2011, In: Journal of Transport Geography. 19, 4, p. 670-679 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Energiespeicherung in Bundeswasserstraßen

    Schomerus, T. & Degenhart, H., 07.2011, In: Solarzeitalter. 23, 2, p. 34-38 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  39. Published

    Exposure of the Irish population to PBDEs in food: consideration of parameter uncertainty and variability for risk assessment

    Trudel, D., Tlustos, C., von Goetz, N., Scheringer, M., Reichert, P. & Hungerbühler, K., 07.2011, In: Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment. 28, 7, p. 943-955 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published
  41. Published

    Long-term population dynamics of Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo after abandonment and re-introduction of mowing

    Schrautzer, J., Fichtner, A., Huckauf, A., Rasran, L. & Jensen, K., 07.2011, In: Flora. 206, 7, p. 622-630 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Preference for violent electronic games and aggressive behavior among children: The beginning of the downward spiral?

    von Salisch, M., Vogelgesang, J., Kristen, A. & Oppl, C., 07.2011, In: Media Psychology . 14, 3, p. 233-258 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Transdisciplinarity in Corporate Sustainability: Call for Papers

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), Beckmann, M. (Editor) & Hansen, E. G. (Editor), 07.2011, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 20, 5, p. 348-350 3 p.

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

  44. Published

    Contribution of Pollinator-Mediated Crops to Nutrients in the Human Food Supply

    Eilers, E. J., Kremen, C., Smith Greenleaf, S., Garber, A. K. & Klein, A.-M., 22.06.2011, In: PLoS ONE. 6, 6, 6 p., e21363.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Cues from Facial Expressions for Emotional Interfaces

    Tews, T.-K., Oehl, M., Siebert, F., Faasch, H. & Höger, R., 20.06.2011, Human Centred Automation: HFES Europe Chapter. De Waard, D., Gérard, N., Onnasch, L., Wiczorek, R. & Manzey, D. (eds.). Shaker Publishing, p. 111-122 12 p.

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

  46. Published

    Social Conflicts on Agro-Biotechnology: Conflicting Interests and Conflict of Interest in the Debate on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

    Friedrich, B., Gottschlich, D. & Sulmowski, J. A., 15.06.2011, Conflict of Interest in Central and Eastern Europe. Burdziej, S. & Szalacha, J. (eds.). Zysk i S-ka Wydawnictwo, p. 33-52

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

  47. Published

    Genesis and dating of Late Pleistocene-Holocene soil sediment sequences from the Lüneburg Heath, Northern Germany

    Urban, B., Kunz, A. & Gehrt, E., 03.06.2011, In: E&G Quaternary Science Journal. 60, 1, p. 6-26 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Assessment of the environmental persistence and long-range transport of endosulfan

    Becker, L., Scheringer, M., Schenker, U. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.06.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 6, p. 1737-1743 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Impact of anthropogenic input on physicochemical parameters and trace metals in marine surface sediments of Bay of Bengal off Chennai, India

    Raju, K., Vijayaraghavan, K., Seshachalam, S. & Muthumanickam, J., 01.06.2011, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 177, 1-4, p. 95-114 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  50. Published

    Sustainability as a Driver for Corporate Economic Success: Consequences for the Development of Sustainability Management Control

    Schaltegger, S., 01.06.2011, In: Society and Economy. 33, 1, p. 15-28 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Functional complementarity and specialisation: The role of biodiversity in plant–pollinatorinteractions

    Blüthgen, N. & Klein, A.-M., 06.2011, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 12, 4, p. 282-291 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review