Pioneering Sustainability: Contributions from the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development to the Olympics



As the world gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we are proud to highlight the remarkable contributions of two of our MSc in Sustainable Urban Development alumni, Bill Morris LVO and Sandro Sato, whose work underscores the importance of sustainability in global mega-events. Their stories of academic pursuit and professional excellence are timely reminders of the impact that individuals can have on shaping a more sustainable future.

Bill's legacy: From London 2012 to Paris 2024

Bill Morris's journey back to academia after 40 years has been nothing short of inspirational. Embarking on the part-time MSc in Sustainable Urban Development, Bill sought new inspiration to enhance his consulting work in making cities more sustainable. His impressive career, which includes directing major events like the London 2012 Olympic Games, laid the groundwork for his current involvement with the Paris 2024 Olympics.

‘Life, at every stage, is about adventures. I'm in my mid-sixties and wanted to stretch myself and find new inspiration to help my consulting work,’ Bill shared. Despite the initial challenges of returning to academic writing and the rigours of scholarship, Bill found the experience at Oxford enriching. ‘The topic itself is so current and apposite that the course feels grippingly relevant to so many aspects of our lives.’

Bill's role in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics is pivotal. He will facilitate the IOC's Executive Leadership Observation Programme, guiding directors and leaders of future games through the sustainability initiatives implemented in Paris. ‘The Paris 2024 Games are innovating with a number of sustainability initiatives, and I hope this will help future games organisers along this path,’ he explains.

Sandro's impact: From Rio 2016 to global sustainability

Sandro Sato's involvement with the Olympics began in a different but equally impactful way. Before joining the MSc, he was a business development manager for a corporate sponsor of the International Olympic Committee, where he managed projects related to the legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

‘Marketing had always been a key part of my academic and professional activities, but sustainability and urban planning were fairly unexplored areas,’ Sandro noted. The MSc offered a perfect blend of advancing his knowledge without pausing his career. Despite the challenges of balancing work and academic commitments, Sandro found the course's interdisciplinary approach and the vibrant academic environment immensely rewarding.

Now residing in Belgium, Sandro continues to lead in the realm of sustainability and marketing, leveraging the skills and insights gained from his MSc. ‘Meeting bright minds with such a variety of backgrounds while covering complex sustainable development topics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ he says.

A timely celebration of our alumni

As the world turns its attention to Paris 2024, Bill and Sandro's stories serve as timely testaments to the power of integrating sustainability into the Olympics.

For those considering a return to academia or seeking an intellectual adventure, Bill and Sandro's experiences highlight the transformative potential of the MSc programme. Bill encourages prospective students, saying, ‘Whether you have a direct career requirement or perhaps you're just curious about such a pertinent and compelling topic, the MSc has so much to offer.’

Sandro echoes this sentiment, emphasising the value of the network and the comprehensive learning experience. ‘The network expansion factor is key – it encourages more efficient collaboration with professionals from a variety of fields.’

As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, we celebrate Bill and Sandro's contributions to making these games a model of sustainability. Their work exemplifies how the knowledge and skills developed through the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development can be applied to real-world challenges, driving positive change on a global scale.

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Published 15 July 2024