Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

In the professorship, we address three main challenges for the fulfilment of this aspiration:

  • Consolidate the epistemological and methodological foundations of transdisciplinary sustainability research.
  • Enhance research at the science/society interface that has both scientific and societal relevance.
  • Enable students, researchers and societal actors to contribute to societal transformation with local and global impact.

We are rooted/embedded in the Faculty of  Sustainability and collaborate with different institutes at Leuphana and research institutions from around the world as well as with different societal actors and institutions from the private and public sector in Lueneburg and beyond. 

We creatively combine conceptual and empirical research with the development of new formats and environments.

  1. 2017
  2. Published

    Linking transitions to sustainability: A study of the societal effects of transition management

    Schäpke, N., Omann, I., Wittmayer, J. M., van Steenbergen, F. & Mock, M., 03.05.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 5, 36 p., 737.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Driving factors for the regional implementation of renewable energy: - a multiple case study on the German energy transition

    Lutz, L. M., Fischer, L-B., Newig, J. & Lang, D. J., 01.06.2017, In: Energy Policy. 105, p. 136-147 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Putting sustainable chemistry and resource use into context: The role of temporal diversity

    Weiser, A., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 01.06.2017, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 5, p. 105-114 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Case Study: the social context of arsenic regulation and exposure in South East Hungary

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 239-246 8 p.

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

  6. Published

    Community awareness and engagement for arsenic management

    Mildorfová-Leventon, J., 07.2017, Best Practice Guide on the Control of Arsenic in Drinking Water. Bhattacharya, P., Polya, D. A. & Jovanovic, D. (eds.). IWA Publishing, p. 117-124 8 p.

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

  7. Published

    Off-stage ecosystem service burdens: A blind spot for global sustainability

    Pascual, U., Palomo, I., Adams, W. M., Chan, K. M. A., Daw, T. M., Garmendia, E., Gómez-Baggethun, E., de Groot, R., Mace, G. M., Martín-López, B. & Phelp, J., 07.2017, In: Environmental Research Letters. 12, 7, 10 p., 075001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Delineating boundaries of social-ecological systems for landscape planning: A comprehensive spatial approach

    Martín-López, B., Palomo, I., García-Llorente, M., Iniesta-Arandia, I., Castro, A. J., García Del Amo, D., Gómez-Baggethun, E. & Montes, C., 01.07.2017, In: Land Use Policy. 66, p. 90-104 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Mismatches between supply and demand in wildlife tourism: Insights for assessing cultural ecosystem services

    Arbieu, U., Grünewald, C., Martín-López, B., Schleuning, M. & Böhning-Gaese, K., 01.07.2017, In: Ecological Indicators. 78, p. 282-291 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Ökonomistische Diskurse der Nachhaltigkeit: Bestimmende Momente und die Frage nach Alternativen

    Meyer, E. M. & Vilsmaier, U., 08.2017, Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaften und die Suche nach neuen Wissensordnungen. Pfister, T. (ed.). 1 ed. Weimar: Metropolis Verlag, p. 147-168 22 p.

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

  11. Published

    Ecosystem services in global sustainability policies

    Geijzendorffer, I. R., Cohen-Shacham, E., Cord, A. F., Cramer, W., Guerra, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.08.2017, In: Environmental Science & Policy. 74, p. 40-48 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  12. Published
  13. Published

    Testing socio-cultural valuation methods of ecosystem services to explain land use preferences

    Schmidt, K., Walz, A., Martín-López, B. & Sachse, R., 01.08.2017, In: Ecosystem Services. 26, Part A, p. 270-288 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Facilitating regional energy transition strategies: Toward a typology of regions

    Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Wehrden, H., 01.09.2017, In: Sustainability. 9, 9, 17 p., 1560.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Acknowledging temporal diversity in sustainability transformations at the nexus of interconnected systems

    Weiser, A., Lutz, L. M., Lang, D. J. & Kümmerer, K., 20.09.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 162, p. 273-285 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Local food sovereignty for global food security? Highlighting interplay challenges

    Leventon, J. & Laudan, J., 10.2017, In: Geoforum. 85, p. 23-26 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published

    Bridging divides in sustainability science

    Lang, D. J., Wiek, A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.11.2017, In: Sustainability Science. 12, 6, p. 875 - 879 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  18. Published

    Sustainability conflicts in Coastal India: Hazards, changing climate and development discourse in Indian Sundarbans

    Ghosh, A., 12.2017, 1 ed. Germany: Springer. 245 p. (Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  19. Published

    Environmental justice and care: critical emancipatory contributions to sustainability discourse

    Gottschlich, D. & Bellina, L., 01.12.2017, In: Agriculture and Human Values. 34, 4, p. 941-953 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Mapping a sustainable future: Community learning in dialogue at the science–society interface

    Barth, M., Lang, D. J., Luthardt, P. & Vilsmaier, U., 01.12.2017, In: International Review of Education. 63, 6, p. 811 - 828 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Transnational collaboration for sustainability in higher education: Lessons from a systematic review

    Caniglia, G., Lüderitz, C., Groß, M., Muhr, M., John, B., Withycombe Keeler, L., von Wehrden, H., Laubichler, M., Wiek, A. & Lang, D., 01.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 168, p. 764-779 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  22. Published

    Climate-neutral and sustainable campus Leuphana University of Lueneburg

    Opel, O., Strodel, N., Werner, K. F., Geffken, J., Tribel, A. & Ruck, W., 15.12.2017, In: Energy. 141, p. 2628-2639 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Experiments and evidence in sustainability science: A typology

    Caniglia, G., Schäpke, N., Lang, D. J., Abson, D. J., Lüderitz, C., Wiek, A., Laubichler, M., Gralla, F. & von Wehrden, H., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 39-47 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Learning through evaluation: A tentative evaluative scheme for sustainability transition experiments

    Lüderitz, C., Schäpke, N., Wiek, A., Lang, D. J., Bergmann, M., Bos, J. J., Burch, S., Davies, A., Evans, J., König, A., Farrelly, M. A., Forrest, N., Frantzeskaki, N., Gibson, R. B., Kay, B., Loorbach, D., McCormick, K., Parodi, O., Rauschmayer, F., Schneidewind, U., Stauffacher, M., Stelzer, F., Trencher, G., Venjakob, J., Vergragt, P. J., von Wehrden, H. & Westley, F. R., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 61-76 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Urban BaWü-Labs: Challenges and Solutions when Expanding the Real-World Lab Infrastructure

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Marg, O., Bergmann, M., Miller, E., Wagner, F. & Lang, D. J., 15.12.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 4, p. 366-368 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  26. 2018
  27. Published
  28. Published

    Chancen för erneuerbare Energien in Wärmenetzen: Bericht vom Leuphana Energieforum 2017

    Bickel, M. W., Soetebeer, I. & Neidig, P., 2018, In: GAIA. 27, 1, p. 190-192 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Das Glocal Curriculum - Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen aus der Leuphanafür die Leuphana

    John, B. & Caniglia, G., 2018, Die Rolle der Universität in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft im Wandel. Henkel, A., Hobuß, S., Jamme, C. & Wuggenig, U. (eds.). 1. ed. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag, p. 188-192 5 p.

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

  30. Published

    Den Metallen auf die Spur kommen - das Konzept der Stoffgeschichten

    Weiser, A., 2018, Metalle auf der Bühne der Menschheit: Von Ötzis Kupferbeil zum Smartphone im All Metals Age. Held, M., Jenny, R. D. & Hempel, M. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 98 1 p. (DBU-Umweltkommunikation; vol. 11).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  31. Published

    Grenzarbeit in integrativer und grenzüberschreitender Forschung

    Vilsmaier, U., 2018, Grenzen: Theoretische, konzeptionelle und praxisbezogene Fragestellungen zu Grenzen und deren Überschreitungen. Heintel, M., Musil, R. & Weixlbaumer, N. (eds.). 1 ed. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 113-134 22 p. (RaumFragen: Stadt — Region — Landschaft).

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

  32. Published

    Kupfer - früher Einstieg und starke Zukunftsaussichten

    Weiser, A., 2018, Metalle auf der Bühne der Menschheit: Von Ötzis Kupferbeil zum Smartphone im All Metals Age. Held, M., Jenny, R. D. & Hempel, M. (eds.). München: oekom verlag GmbH, p. 9 1 p. (DBU-Umweltkommunikation; vol. 11).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksOtherResearch

  33. Published

    Linking Transitions to Sustainability: Individual Agency, Normativity and Transdisciplinary Collaborations in transition Management

    Schäpke, N., 2018, Lüneburg, 344 p. (IETSR Discussion papers in Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research; vol. 2).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  34. Published

    Lüneburg 2030+ - ein Reallabor zur lokalen Implementierung der Sustainable Development Goals

    Lang, D., Weiser, A. & Seidel, A., 2018, Die Rolle der Universität in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft im Wandel. Henkel, A., Hobuß, S., Jamme, C. & Wuggenig, U. (eds.). 1. ed. Berlin: Pro BUSINESS Verlag, p. 193-197 5 p.

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

  35. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik: Vom freien Markt bis zur Share Economy

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, 2 ed. München: C.H. Beck Verlag. 127 p. (C. H. Beck Wissen; vol. 2845)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik – quo vadis? „Ist“ und „Soll“ eines Bindestrichfachs aus protestantischer Perspektive

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, Evangelische Wirtschaftsethik-wohin?. Manzeschke, A. (ed.). Münster: LIT Verlag, p. 27 - 48 22 p. (LLG - Leiten. Lenken. Gestalten. Theologie und Ökonomie; vol. 33).

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

  37. Published

    Chancen für erneuerbare Energien in Wärmenetzen

    Bickel, M. W., Soetebeer, I., Neidig, P. & Schneidewind, U., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 1, p. 190-192 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  38. Published

    Jointly experimenting for transformation? Shaping real-world laboratories by comparing them

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Caniglia, G., Bergmann, M., Wanner, M., Singer-Brodowski, M., Loorbach, D., Olsson, P., Baedeker, C. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, p. 85-96 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Labs in the real world: Advancing transdisciplinary research and sustainability transformation: Mapping the field and emerging lines of inquiry

    Schäpke, N., Bergmann, M., Stelzer, F. & Lang, D. J., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, Supplement 1, p. 8-11 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Strengthening the transformative impulse while mainstreaming real-world labs: Lessons learned from three years of BaWü-Labs: Lessons learned from three years of BaWü-Labs

    Schäpke, N., Wagner, F., Parodi, O. & Meier-Soylu, S., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 2, p. 262-264 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Ziele, Strukturen, Wirkungen transformativer Forschung

    Stelzer, F., Becker, S., Timm, J-M., Adomßent, M., Simon, K-H., Schneidewind, U., Renn, O., Lang, D. J. & Ernst, A., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 4, p. 405-408 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    The glocal curriculum: A model for transnational collaboration in higher education for sustainable development

    Caniglia, G., John, B., Bellina, L., Lang, D. J., Wiek, A., Cohmer, S. & Laubichler, M. D., 10.01.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 171, p. 368 - 376 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Inner conflict resolution and self-empowerment as contribution for personal sustainability on the case of intentional community practices

    Veciana, S. & Ottmar, K., 19.03.2018, Personal Sustainability: Exploring the Far Side of Sustainable Development. Parodi, O. & Tamm, K. (eds.). London: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 116-135 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  44. Published

    Community resilience for a 1.5 degrees C world

    Fazey, I., Carmen, E., Chapin III, F. S., Ross, H., Rao-Williams, J., Lyon, C., Connon, I., Searle, B. & Knox, K., 04.2018, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 31, p. 30-40 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Towards a Cyclical Concept of Real-World Laboratories: A Transdisciplinary Research Practice for Sustainability Transitions

    Wanner, M., Hilger, A., Westerkowski, J., Rose, M., Stelzer, F. & Schäpke, N., 03.04.2018, In: DISP. 54, 2, p. 94-114 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Transformation in a changing climate: a research agenda

    Fazey, I., Moug, P., Allen, S., Beckmann, K., Blackwood, D., Bonaventura, M., Burnett, K., Danson, M., Falconer, R., Gagnon, A. S., Harkness, R., Hodgson, A., Holm, L., Irvine, K. N., Low, R., Lyon, C., Moss, A., Moran, C., Naylor, L., O'Brien, K., Russell, S., Skerratt, S., Rao-Williams, J. & Wolstenholme, R., 03.04.2018, In: Climate and Development. 10, 3, p. 197-217 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  47. Published
  48. Published

    Facing the heat: A systematic literature review exploring the transferability of solutions to cope with urban heat waves

    Hintz, M. J., Lüderitz, C., Lang, D. J. & von Wehrden, H., 06.2018, In: Urban Climate. 24, p. 714-727 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Ten essentials for action-oriented and second order energy transitions, transformations and climate change research

    Fazey, I., Schäpke, N., Caniglia, G., Patterson, J., Hultman, J., van Mierlo, B., Säwe, F., Wiek, A., Wittmayer, J., Aldunce, P., Al Waer, H., Battacharya, N., Bradbury, H., Carmen, E., Colvin, J., Cvitanovic, C., D'Souza, M., Gopel, M., Goldstein, B., Hämäläinen, T., Harper, G., Henfry, T., Hodgson, A., Howden, M. S., Kerr, A., Klaes, M., Lyon, C., Midgley, G., Moser, S., Mukherjee, N., Müller, K., O'Brien, K., O'Connell, D. A., Olsson, P., Page, G., Reed, M. S., Searle, B., Silvestri, G., Spaiser, V., Strasser, T., Tschakert, P., Uribe-Calvo, N., Waddell, S., Rao-Williams, J., Wise, R., Wolstenholme, R., Woods, M. & Wyborn, C., 01.06.2018, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 40, June 2018, p. 54-70 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  50. Published

    Second comment on 'The climate mitigation gap: education and government recommendations miss the most effective individual actions'

    Pedersen, R. L. & Lam, D. P. M., 13.06.2018, In: Environmental Research Letters. 13, 6, 5 p., 068001.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  51. Published

    The role of attitudes in technology acceptance management: Reflections on the case of hydrogen fuel cells in Europe

    Bögel, P., Oltra, C., Sala, R., Lores, M., Upham, P., Dütschke, E., Schneider, U. & Wiemann, P., 01.07.2018, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 188, p. 125-135 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Rethinking biodiversity governance in European agricultural landscapes: Acceptability of alternative governance scenarios

    Velten, S., Schaal, T., Mildorfová-Leventon, J., Hanspach, J., Fischer, J. & Newig, J., 09.2018, In: Land Use Policy. 77, p. 84-93 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review