Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)’s Post

And I’m done! Last month I submitted my dissertation, but since then I’ve found myself so caught up in the momentum of work/life/the world in general, that I haven’t spent a moment to reflect on what this means. I’m incredibly lucky that I had the opportunity to study Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) but at the same time, these past 2 years have been intense. With no employer support, a lot of savings, and all of my holidays over the past 2 years have been spent on this course. Being exhausted, but energised is a very strange feeling. But I’m proud. I’ve done it. And I’m so incredibly thankful to my husband, friends and family who have patiently waited for my return to society! I decided to apply for this course as in my role as a Director at Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park, I realised that sustainability was becoming fundamental to all of the decisions I was being asked to make - and if I’m honest, I didn’t have a clue! And where could I look for answers I could trust? A lot of online information just seemed to talk at a very superficial layer, and not back up claims with data. Sure, I could make decent assumptions with the information I had available, but what was the knock on impact of those decisions? That’s when I found the Master’s at CISL. What I didn’t expect, was that my thoughts about my role in IT would change. IT was my day job, I didn’t hate it, but I very much worked to live, and I certainly didn’t really think I could make a difference to the world in it. However, and those of you who have been following along will know, that I got so interested in the link between IT and sustainability that I decided to write my dissertation on it - specifically, the materiality of data. And oh my, did I find some interesting results. That’s possibly for another post, but when I thought everything was pointing towards more technological innovation to solve the problem - turns out it’s actually likely to be team work, collaboration and better business and reporting mechanisms. So technology doesn’t solve everything - who knew! 😉 I’ve developed a new found energy for my work in IT and how I can combine my experience in the world of tech, with my learnings on sustainability from the course. It’s genuinely exciting! This course has given me a greater understanding of the urgency with which we need to work, and how we as leaders within organisations can align our strategic intent with the wider sustainability agenda. And my research has shown me a practical way to do this - it’s not all theory! Most of all, this course has given me hope. We still have time to protect our planet for future generations as well as make it safer for those living on it currently. In a weird and unexpected twist, I went into this course wanting to be a better Director, but I’m leaving it, wanting to be a better person. But first, the sun is finally out and I have some gardening to do…