ISOE Policy Brief
Groundwater in Europe: Cornerstone for Resilience
Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky et al.
2025
Available online
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News
Strategically Strengthened, Visually Renewed: ISOE in Transition
The Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) has repositioned itself strategically, substantively, and in terms of its organizational structure.
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NEWS
Water resilience in Europe: ISOE research team presents recommendations in Brussels
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Focustopic Water
What impact does climate change have on our water resources?
We develop sustainable management and governance strategies.
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NEWS
Security of supply: ISOE researchers present study on global water stress
The study on global water stress was commissioned by the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI) for its 2025 annual report.
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Advancing Knowledge for Sustainability —
The Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) is one of the leading independent institutes for sustainability research. We develop scientific foundations and sustainable concepts for politics, civil society and business – regionally, nationally and internationally.
About the InstituteOur Topics
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Focustopic 2025
Water —
What impact does climate change have on our water resources? Is water scarcity also a threat in Germany? What challenges does the water industry face?
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Biodiversity —
What are the causes of biodiversity loss? How can we protect biodiversity in the future? How can we create a willingness for change?
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Chemical Risks —
How do chemicals affect health, ecosystems and the economy? How can we create a better understanding and greater awareness of pollutant risks?
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Climate Adaptation —
How can municipalities better prepare for future extreme weather events? What support is needed to enhance their capacity for climate adaptation?
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Knowledge and Participation —
What kind of knowledge is needed for social-ecological transformations? How can the perspectives and experiences of different stakeholder groups be incorporated into this process?
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Land Use —
What is increasing the pressure on land resources? How can a fair and sustainable use of land resources be achieved?
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Mobility —
How can mobility be made sustainable? Why is the transition to sustainable mobility not making significant progress? How can conflicts and obstacles be overcome on the path to a post-fossil mobility culture?
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Sufficiency —
How much do we really need for a good life? Which services and infrastructures enable a sufficient standard of living, consumption, or nutrition?
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Transformation —
Can sustainability be achieved through technological developments alone? How can transformations towards sustainability be shaped in the face of escalating crises and conflicts?
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Social-Ecological Research —
At the core of our research lies the question of how transformations toward sustainability can be shaped. Through our transdisciplinary research, we aim to identify opportunities for a sustainable and just approach to water, land, and biodiversity, as well as to urban development and consumption.
Current contributions from our experts
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Go to Profile“To secure the foundations of life for all within planetary boundaries, economic practices and lifestyles must change. This requires a transformation in the relationship between society and nature.”
Prof. Dr. Flurina Schneider, Scientific Director![]()
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To the blog“Sustainable groundwater management is achievable—but only through collaboration. The challenges are too complex to be solved by technical expertise and innovation alone.”
Dr. Fanny Frick-Trzebitzky, Head of the Practices and Infrastructures Hub![]()
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Go to Profile“Climate change often affects structurally disadvantaged people more severely, particularly women and those with low incomes. To enable climate-neutral and affordable housing for all, energy and climate policies and measures in the building sector must be designed in a socially and gender-equitable manner.”
Dr. Immanuel Stieß, Head of the Practices and Infrastructures Hub![]()
Selected Publications
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Groundwater in Europe: Cornerstone for Resilience -
Advancing Water Reuse through Technical and Social Innovation: Insights from a Living Lab in German Hydroponic Agriculture Abstract Book Oral Presentations. 14th IWA International Con...Advancing Water Reuse through Technical and Social Innovation: Insights from a Living Lab in German Hydroponic Agriculture
Heide Kerber, Michaela Rohrbach, Martina Winker
2025Available online
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Risk Management and Validation of Water Reuse in a Hydroponic System Abstract Book oral Presentations. 14th IWA International Con...Risk Management and Validation of Water Reuse in a Hydroponic System
Marius Mohr et al.
2025Available online
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Conceptualizing social-ecological practices Environmental SociologyConceptualizing social-ecological practices
Lukas Sattlegger, Luca Nitschke, Immanuel Stieß
2025Available online
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Causes of bush encroachment on freehold and communal land in Namibia NamTip FactsheetCauses of bush encroachment on freehold and communal land in Namibia
Katja Brinkmann, Markus Rauchecker, Diego A. Menestrey
2025Available online
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Balancing Competing Grassland Ecosystem Services Requires Intensive Stakeholder Involvement and Actions on Different Spatial Scales Grass and Forage ScienceBalancing Competing Grassland Ecosystem Services Requires Intensive Stakeholder Involvement and Actions on Different Spatial Scales
Valentin H. Klaus et al.
2025Available online
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Different Life Phases and the Limits of Consumption. Opportunities and Barriers Linking Ages. A Dialogue between Childhood and Ageing Resear...Different Life Phases and the Limits of Consumption. Opportunities and Barriers
Melanie Jaeger-Erben et al.
2025Available online
International Research Projects
Our international research currently focuses on topics such as green hydrogen, water reuse, plastics in the environment, and desertification.
