Alumni Profile: Ashlee Piper
Ashlee Piper (MSc Evidence-Based Social Work, 2003) is an award-winning sustainability expert, writer, and commentator whose work has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Vogue, and in the New York Times. A Green College alumna, she has built a varied career spanning government, political strategy, media, and authorship. Her latest book, No New Things, explores how reducing consumption can bring financial freedom, wellbeing, and environmental benefits.
Oxford beginnings
Ashlee joined Green College in 2003 as part of the first cohort on the MSc in Evidence-Based Social Work. The opportunity came about unexpectedly when, after completing her undergraduate studies in gender and religious studies at Brown University, she discovered the new programme just before the application deadline.
Her year at Oxford became one of the most formative experiences of her life. She remembers Green as a close-knit and supportive community, where the college system created a strong sense of belonging. The programme itself combined academic rigour with an experiential and conversational approach to learning, blending evidence-based research with applied social work practice.
The diversity of the Oxford community also proved influential, offering perspectives and friendships that have endured to this day. The experience confirmed for Ashlee that education is not only about subject knowledge but also about transferable skills, adaptability, and the relationships built along the way.
From social work to sustainability
Following her degree, Ashlee worked in child welfare policy for the Massachusetts governor’s office before moving into political strategy. A growing personal commitment to animal welfare and sustainability led her to a career change, as she recognised a gap in how sustainability was being communicated to mainstream audiences.
She went on to establish herself as a leading voice in sustainable living, delivering more than 300 television appearances, consulting for companies, and teaching sustainability marketing at Loyola University and Northwestern University.
Following the success of her first book, Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (2018), Ashlee’s latest book, No New Things, emerged from a personal challenge to buy nothing new for 30 days. What began as a way to better understand her own shopping habits soon developed into a long-term lifestyle shift, freeing up time, reducing stress, and aligning with her values of sustainability.
The challenge resonated widely when she began sharing it online, attracting thousands of participants globally. No New Things combines a historical analysis of modern consumerism with a practical, data-driven 30-day guide to reducing consumption without compromising on enjoyment or style.
Looking ahead
Alongside her writing and media work, Ashlee continues to advocate for sustainable living, foster rescue animals, and teaching. She hopes in the future to bring her accessible, engaging approach to sustainability to a wider audience through television.
Despite a career that has taken her far beyond Oxford, she continues to value the transformative impact of her time at Green College and wants to stay closely connected to the community.
