Sustainability Clinic spotlight: Consulting for Sustainability in Sport with the RFL
Posted on 22 May 2025
Our next Student Research Spotlight features Charlotte Beale, a BSc Ecology student in the Department of Biology, who recently completed a Sustainability Clinic project with the Rugby Football League (RFL).
In this spotlight, Charlotte shares her experience working with her interdisciplinary student team, the details and impact of their Sustainability Clinic project with the RFL, her reflections on presenting at this year's Student Sustainability Research Conference (SSRC25), and her aspirations for the future after finishing her degree.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your student group?
My Name is Charlotte Beale, a Biology student specialising in BSc Ecology at the University of York. My team includes: Emily James (Physics), Emma York (Biology), Safi Hussain (Philosophy), Sakshi Rajeev (Chemistry), Hannah Murray (Law).
Tell me a bit about your Sustainability Clinic project with the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Our sustainability project consulting for the Rugby Football League (RFL) involved developing a suite of resources to help the RFL effectively communicate their impactful social and environmental sustainability initiatives.
This work included:
- Internal & external resource templates: Designed to streamline the dissemination of key sustainability information to various stakeholders.
- In-depth research report: Summarising project findings, outlining actionable sustainability recommendations, and providing evidence-based support for our proposals.
- Greenwashing risk research: Ensuring the RFL's communication aligns with relevant legislation and ethical best practices.
What did you learn from participating in the Sustainability Clinic?
This project provided invaluable real-world experience, allowing us to apply our academic knowledge to address a critical challenge facing a major sporting organisation.
This project has enabled me to develop not only my personal knowledge of social sustainability but also environmental sustainability. It has been invaluable for us to have an opportunity to consult with a real-world organisation, facing the challenges and opportunities this gave us.
How was your experience presenting at SSRC25?
The Student Sustainability Research Conference (SSRC25) provided the opportunity to present our team's work as student consultants for the RFL, focusing on "Consulting for Sustainability in Sport". It was incredibly rewarding to share our findings and engage with attendees about how we can drive sustainable practices within the sporting world. I'm so proud of my team and how well we presented!
The conference itself was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed a fascinating talk on the applications of generative AI in advancing sustainability efforts. It's amazing to see how technology can be leveraged to create positive change.
What do you hope to do after you've finished your undergraduate degree?
Following my undergraduate degree in Ecology, I hope to pursue a career broadly in sustainability consulting. Although a large sector, my specific interests would follow the experience I have gained previously in green energy asset consulting/investment, ecological consulting and Environmental Social Governance (ESG).
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A big thank you to Charlotte for sharing insights into her team’s Sustainability Clinic project. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact they’ve made—not just for the Rugby Football League, but for sustainability in sport more widely!
Stay tuned for more stories showcasing the incredible projects being done across our student community.