Sanjana Sheth
Profession
MA Innovation Management alum
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Alumni
Biography
Sanjana is a sustainability and innovation professional originally from India. She graduated from the MA Innovation Management course at Central Saint Martins and now works within dentsu’s Global Sustainability Office in London as a Sustainability Reporting Analyst.
Interview
Please can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
I am a sustainability and innovation professional, originally from India, driven by the idea of creating 1% more positive impact every day.
Why did you choose to study MA Innovation Management at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
Having seen the negative environmental and social after effects of the fashion industry, I was looking towards nudging change within the ecosystem in a holistic manner, and was certain that I wanted to pursue my masters at the best. MA Innovation Management at CSM was an easy choice given its stellar reputation as a university and the expanse of everything the course was offering.
What have you been working on since graduating?
A recent graduate, I now work with dentsu within their Global Sustainability Office as a Sustainability Reporting Analyst in London, bridging the gap between data, positive impact and people.
What was the most interesting project you worked on during your time on the course?
Every project came with a unique learning experience, but if I had to choose one, it would be my final master’s thesis. It truly brought together everything I learned throughout the course.
The thesis gave me the opportunity to apply different theories and frameworks from across modules to address a larger issue I deeply care about. It was where concepts like Design Thinking and Foresight moved from theory into real practice. I was able to narrow my interests in Systems Thinking and focus on solving a real-world challenge like the net zero transition in the material innovation landscape in a structured and meaningful way.
It was definitely a journey with ups and downs, but it taught me the importance of trusting the process. More than anything, it reinforced that passion and resilience are what carry you through complex problems.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
If you’re considering this course, be ready for what I would call a “master’s in life.” It didn’t just give us an occupational edge or a strong toolbox to innovate and facilitate innovation, it taught us how to navigate complexity.
The course is designed to reflect the realities of today’s dynamic and fast-changing world. Throughout the programme, we were encouraged to engage with uncertainty and ambiguity in a structured and supportive way.
The multidisciplinary nature of the cohort is the cherry on top. You’re surrounded by people from different cultures, industries, and lived experiences. They see the world and innovation through completely different lenses. This constant exposure to diverse perspectives challenges your assumptions and expands how you approach the same problem.
You also gain significant exposure to industry experts who are practicing exactly what many of us aspire to do after graduation. The networking opportunities are immense and genuinely help you understand where and how you can position yourself in the real world.
My advice? Come with an open mind, lean into the discomfort, and fully engage with the diversity around you.
What was the highlight of your Central Saint Martins experience?
When I first joined Central Saint Martins, I was probably the shyest person in the room. I spent a lot of time listening, observing, and quietly taking everything in, the ideas, the debates, the confidence of others. At the time, I didn’t realise that this phase of absorbing was shaping me.
Over time, something shifted. I found myself drawn to bringing people together by connecting conversations, spotting patterns, and creating structure where there was complexity. That journey culminated in me stepping into the role of project manager for our Graduate Showcase by curating and delivering a 300+ attendee symposium centred on Earth and Systems, the intersection of Technology and Art, and creating space for my classmates to experiment with their thesis frameworks through a supported series of workshops.
The real highlight wasn’t just the scale of the event. It was the personal transformation, from quietly sitting at the edge of conversations to confidently facilitating them. Alongside this, the network of people I built across different courses and disciplines at Central Saint Martins will always be one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. The connections and friendships I formed there are something I’ll truly carry with me.
What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?
The most important thing I learnt was to stay genuinely curious, even when things feel messy or unclear. This course doesn’t hand you neat answers, it throws you into big questions, strong opinions, and real-world complexity. At first, that can feel overwhelming. But over time, I realised that’s the point.
I learnt to follow what I actually care about, to ask better questions, and to let passion drive the work rather than just ticking academic boxes. That shift, from trying to “get it right” to really exploring is what changed me the most.
Links
Connect with Sanjana on LinkedIn
View Sanjana's website to see her work