1 October 2025 - Alistair Harwood, Clinical Relations and Education Manager UKI at Align Technology and student on the Master’s in Sustainability Leadership Flexible Route, shares a day of his workshop in Cambridge.
My day begins with…
An early alarm that cranks the rusty cogs of my brain into motion. The time we have at Cambridge is so precious, I always try to get out early. I think it’s important to see the colleges and city as much as possible during the workshop weeks. I’ll start with a run from Fitzwilliam College down to the river Cam, passing St Edmund’s and Magdelene, before making my way along the river, seeing the boathouses of the college rowing clubs. After returning to Fitz, I take breakfast in the Buttery dining hall (the hash browns are a highlight) meeting new and old friends from the workshop, comparing notes from the previous day.
The workshop starts with…
A networking coffee morning, finding out about the backgrounds of students from multiple cohorts on the Flexible route. Each workshop is designed by taking on feedback from previous cohorts, leading to sessions like the dedicated networking morning just for Flexible route students. I’m inspired to hear about projects on emissions labelling, regenerative agriculture and renewable energy transitions. It’s a great chance to share experiences between cohorts, and a welcome opportunity to get to know other flexible route students better.
Between sessions we…
Continue networking over coffee, this time in West Hub alongside the rest of the workshop attendees from the continuous route. Throughout my time at the workshops, I’ve met people with highly diverse careers and these networking opportunities have been important to me. Coming from the background of clinical dentistry, I’m always interested to hear how my colleagues on the various cohorts are applying sustainability in their fields and understanding how I might use these learnings in my own setting. Seeing the challenges and some of their potential solutions that different countries and different industries face is enlightening.
After lunch we…
Attend leadership session today learning more about body language and communication styles, and the dynamics between power and inclusivity. Both sessions bring a highly interactive method of teaching with a lot of movement around the teaching space. Throughout the course we’ve had the chance to examine leadership from many conventional and unconventional perspectives but always centred around the CISL Capabilities for 21st Century Leadership. The session on communication highlighted the need for authenticity in leadership. It was one of the most impactful I’ve experienced so far and will stick in my memory for a long time.
After sessions finish…
We’re attending a gala dinner in Christ College, one of the amazing things about studying at Cambridge, even as a part-time student.. Christ College dining hall is stunning and this evening we hear the traditional Latin toast, this time delivered with an Italian accent by our course director Dr Tanja Collavo.
After a day of learning…
Most days after lectures it’s a combination of inspiration and tiredness. The stimulation from socialising with seventy-plus people, in addition to the continuous stream of information from workshop sessions and reflection on the topics is intense. Often the subjects up for discussion can be challenging. Speakers rarely pull their punches and we’re often given a stark look at reality. Today, with the emotions and authenticity of the communication workshop, I’m saturated. But with free time and social events in the evenings like the gala dinners or meet and greets, I feel a sense of community from being around so many people with a common goal.
I am excited by…
The prospect of sharing my knowledge within my organisation and the charity I’m a trustee for. Throughout my studies at CISL, I’ve found the leadership sessions impact my day to day work the most. I’ve delivered change management workshops to multiple teams and coached individuals and groups on leadership characteristics using some of the teachings from the course.
When I’m back in the buzz of day-to-day work, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture and disconnect from the impact I want to create. Attending these workshops, this one themed on governance, purpose and culture as well as leadership, creates space to refocus. Being on the flexible route has meant that I’ve had the business case articulated in many ways during each workshop and in this latest one it’s reflected the changing political and regulatory landscape. Using the takeaways from this workshop, and the course in general, I’d love to create wider scale change to increase sustainability in the healthcare industry.
The Master’s in Sustainability Leadership is designed to develop leaders who can respond effectively to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the world and lead others to achieve positive change. The Master’s Flexible Route is studied part-time over a period of up to 10 years and is designed for working mid-career professionals. Applications for 2026 entry are open. Find out more, download the brochure and apply here.
