St Cross students win 2nd Place at Oxford Final of Map the System Competition

Katie Wallis (Worcester College), Megan Liu (St Cross, MSc) and Carlos Araujo (St Cross, MBA).

St Cross College is delighted to congratulate students Megan Liu (MSc Sustainability, Enterprise and Environment) and Carlos Araujo (MBA), who were awarded Second Place in the Oxford Final of the Map the System case competition, presented by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. 

Megan and Carlos formed part of Team MCK MTS, alongside teammate Katie Wallis (Worcester College), also studying MSc Sustainability, Enterprise and Environment. Their project applied a systems thinking approach to the global issue of fashion waste imports into Ghana, focusing on the wide-reaching environmental, social, and economic impacts on the country’s second-hand clothing market and the communities it affects. 

Ghana currently receives an estimated 15 million garments each week from the Global North. While this trade supports employment and provides access to affordable clothing, the team’s report highlights how the low quality of many imported items contributes to major environmental challenges, with around 40% ending up in landfills, open fires, or the ocean. Their findings underscore the urgent need for global accountability and systemic change to reduce harm and promote more equitable trade practices. 

The team’s report was shortlisted alongside six other University teams to present at the Oxford Final, held at the Saïd Business School. The award was presented at the event in the Skoll Club Room, following a live presentation of their research to a panel of judges. 

We extend our warm congratulations to Megan, Carlos, and Katie on this outstanding achievement and their commitment to addressing one of today’s most pressing global sustainability challenges.