Digital sustainability specialist — Cal Innes

Cal studied a BA in Applied Social Sciences and an MSc in Social Research before specialising in digital sustainability. Discover how he uses his expertise to help education institutions adopt sustainable digital practices 

How did you get your job at Jisc?

During my Masters, my research centred on climate change and sustainability, particularly the human and social impacts of environmental challenges. This, combined with advanced data analytics - including carbon accounting and emissions projection modelling - led to my first role as a climate change data analyst for a local authority.Ìý

While working with carbon emissions data to track environmental impacts, I realised I wanted to do more than analyse data - I wanted to drive change. This motivated me to become the principal climate officer for the same authority, where I helped develop strategies and action plans to achieve net-zero targets.Ìý

This led to my current role, helping colleges and universities understand the environmental impact of their digital activities and services. It's a mix of research, engagement, and advocacy - balancing strategy with practical, hands-on support for institutions.Ìý

What's a typical working day like?

I juggle multiple projects, including:

• chairing the Further Education and Skills Digital Sustainability Community, setting agendas and organising guest speakers 
• curating and publishing Jisc's monthly digital sustainability newsletter 
• designing and hosting workshops to help institutions understand and improve digital sustainability 
• creating self-service resources, such as guides, reports and e-learning modules 
• speaking at conferences, webinars, and events to raise awareness and share best practices 
• answering sector queries, helping colleges and universities develop sustainability strategies.Ìý

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Creative freedom is a big part of it. I get to shape how we support the sector and develop resources I hope are genuinely useful. I also love working directly with people in education, helping them find actionable solutions to sustainability problems.Ìý

But most of all, I love that this job lets me make a difference. Sustainability is one of the defining challenges of our time, and being able to contribute - especially in the fast-growing space of digital sustainability - is incredibly rewarding.

What are the challenges?

Because my role is so varied, managing multiple projects at once requires me to be organised and ensure that everything gets the attention it deserves.Ìý

Digital sustainability is still an emerging field, which means constantly staying up to date with new research, technologies, and best practices. It's fast-moving, but that's also what makes it exciting.Ìý

How is your degree relevant?

My MSc in social research gave me a unique perspective - while many people in this space come from an environmental sciences background, I approached it from a social and data-driven angle.Ìý

I tailored my research to give me a dual perspective - understanding the technical and human aspects of sustainability. That's been invaluable in my current role, where I have to translate complex data into meaningful action for education providers.Ìý

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?

I realised early on that it's impossible to be an expert in everything. So, I chose to specialise in digital sustainability, particularly the environmental impact of digital transformation.

I'm passionate about this because I see the digital revolution and the climate crisis as two of the biggest forces shaping our world today. How we navigate the intersection of these two will define the future - not just for businesses and institutions, but for society as a whole.Ìý

What advice can you give to others wanting to get into this job?

• Find your niche within sustainability. It's a broad field, so focus on what truly interests you. I started with carbon data and climate policy, but I became fascinated by the role of digital technology in sustainability, and that's where I've built my career.Ìý
• Immerse yourself in the subject. Read everything you can, watch videos, attend events, and most importantly - talk to people in the field. Sustainability is fast-moving, so staying informed is key. I'm constantly learning, whether it's through books, research papers, podcasts, or conversations with colleagues and sector experts.Ìý
• Develop strong people skills. This job isn't just about understanding sustainability - it's about communicating it effectively. Whether you're running a workshop, writing a report, or speaking at an event, you need to be able to engage, educate, and inspire action. It's as much about listening to people's challenges as it is about sharing solutions. If you can understand what different audiences need, you'll be more effective in driving real change.Ìý

Find out more

• Explore the responsibilities and salary of a sustainability consultant.Ìý
• Discover how to get a job in sustainability.Ìý
• Check out what the environment and agriculture sector has to offer.