Dr Rishad Rayyaan

Profile

Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I grew up in a lovely coastal city named Khulna, wherein, I studied up to year 8. Afterwards, we as a family moved to Dhaka and completed my SSC and HSC from Ideal School and Notre Dame College. To pursue my first degree, I studied textile technology from BUTEX with a focus on spinning technology followed on by three years of experience in textile industries as a textile technologist, in various leadership positions. 

To enhance my research aptitude, I decided to pursue an MSc in textile technology from The University of Manchester, followed that up by PhD in Textile Composites. Currently, I have been working as a postdoctoral research fellow in sustainable textile manufacturing that focuses on fibre extraction in sustainable ways and fibre recycling in various methods including thermo-mechanically and chemically.  

Prior to my current role, I worked as an education researcher for three years. During that phase, I obtained training from Sheffield Hallam University while affiliated with King’s College London as an honorary postdoctoral fellow. As an action-researcher, I worked in London in an ‘Ofsted Outstanding School’ for three years, a grammar school at Manchester, and a full term in one of the most prestigious international schools in Dubai, UAE, wherein I taught maths for KS3, KS4 and KS5. My research focus was to design effective intervention methods for ‘most-able’ students.  

In summary:

1. Currently working as a research fellow in sustainable textiles manufacturing at University of Leeds. 

2. Completed first degree in textiles from Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), and worked for three years in some reputed textiles industries in Bangladesh.

3. Obtained prestigious government fellowship from Bangladesh to pursue PhD

4. Completed MSc and PhD from The University of Manchester.

5. Acquired PGCE from Kingston University London, and completed education research certification course from Sheffield Hallam University. 

6. Completed QTS and NQT as a maths teacher

7. Worked in Ofsted Outstanding school, grammar school, and private international school in London, Dubai, and Manchester. 

Research interests

A textile technologist with an MSc and a PhD in textile composites – my primary research covers the areas of natural fibre composites, wherein, the focuses were on damage mechanics, micro-, and meso-fibre geometry, and the sustainability aspects in composites. Simultaneously, I have been actively involved as a research fellow in the fields of sustainable textiles manufacturing and recyclability of textiles that involves different textile recycling methods, spinning of synthetic fibres, fabric and fibre characterisation, and circular economy.  

Currently, I am working on broadening my reserach areas in the field of fibre recycling, life cycle analysis, smart composites, nanocomposites, and werable e-textiles. 

Qualifications

• PhD in Textile Composites
• PGCE in Maths
• NQT and QTS in Maths
• MSc in Textile Technology
• BSc in Textile Technology

Professional memberships

• Chartered College of Teaching
• Textile Institute, UK