Dr Sonja Andrew

Profile

I’m an Associate Professor and Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Studies in the School of Design. My main areas of teaching and research focus on textiles and fashion. I have experienced supervisor status for PhDs at the University of Leeds, and UK and international experience as a PhD examiner.

Responsibilities

• Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Studies, School of Design

Research interests

Crossing the disciplines of design, semiotics and narratology, I employ the creative process as a mode of research inquiry. My main research focuses on textile semantics, communication and cultural memory, exploring multi-modality through visual and tactile communication on cloth, and the influence of context on audience/user perception. I’m currently working on funded projects exploring ‘Arts-Based Approaches to Decolonising Palaeontology’ collaborating with Dr Fiona Gill (School of Earth and Environment) and a range of external partners. I’m a nominated member of the DARE working group which provides guidance on the strategic direction of the partnership between the University of Leeds and Opera North, and I’ve recently joined the team working on the UKRI NERC ‘Back to Baselines in Circular Fashion and Textiles’ research project.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

• PhD, Central Saint Martins
• MA, Central Saint Martins
• BA (Hons) Multi-Disciplinary Design
• FHEA

Professional memberships

• DARE Working Group (June 2023 onwards)
• Board of Trustees of the Textile Society (2013-2017)
• Conference Director for the Textile Society (2013-2017)

Student education

I teach a variety of subjects across textiles, fashion and visual/material studies. I deliver teaching to first and final year undergraduates and supervise MA and PhD students. 

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>