Research project
Network Plus in Circular Fashion and Textiles – Programme Coordination Team (PCT)
- Start date: 1 April 2024
- End date: 31 March 2026
- Funder: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), National Environment Research Council (NERC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Innovate UK (IUK)
- Primary investigator: Professor Stephen Russell
- Co-investigators: Professor Phil Purnell; Professor Richard Blackburn
- External co-investigators: Professor Tamara Galloway, University of Exeter; Dr Alana James, Dr Kelly Sheridan and Professor Anil Namdeo, Northumbria University; Professor Kate Goldsworthy, UAL Professor Parik Goswami, University of Huddersfield; Dr Kayleigh Wyles, University of Plymouth
Value
£1.2million (PCT); £6million (Network Plus, incorporating the three sub-networks)
Partners and collaborators
The three sub-networks within the Network Plus are: 'IMPACT+' led by Northumbria University; 'Back to Baselines in Circular Fashion and Textiles' led by the University of Leeds; 'Future Fibres Network+' led by the University of Exeter
Description
The Circular Fashion and Textiles Network Plus is a collaboration of three sub-networks, which are working collectively to help understand and drive the fashion and textile industry towards sustainable and responsible practices. It is part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Circular Fashion and Textiles Programme.
The Programme Co-ordination Team (PCT) has been convened by the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), to ensure the three sub-networks operate collaboratively to build a bank of data and knowledge, which will support the fashion and textile sector in adopting sustainable circular business models.
The three sub-networks are:
- IMPACT+ led by Northumbria University, which is improving the collation, analysis, and assessment of environmental impact measures.
- Back to Baselines in Circular Fashion and Textiles led by the University of Leeds, which is building a data-driven picture of the current sustainability position of the industry.
- Future Fibres Network+ led by the University of Exeter, which is embedding environmental sciences at the heart of fashion, apparel, and textile sectors.
This work is part of UKRI’s £15million trilateral Circular Fashion Programme, which aims to keep the UK at the forefront of the global fashion industry through:
- delivering sustainable textile and clothing manufacturing
- adopting circular business models
- developing recycling infrastructure
- innovating novel technologies
- embedding green growth
- fostering a diverse and future-proof workforce.
The PCT is holding its first Annual Research Meeting on 14th January 2025, at the University of Exeter. The event, which is for sub-network members and project partners, will provide a clear focus to ensure we are meeting Network Plus objectives, help to clarify next steps for successful programme delivery, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Project website
https://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-funds-research-for-a-sustainable-fashion-and-textiles-industry/