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Professor Stephen J. Russell

Professor Stephen J. Russell

  • Position: Professor of Textile Materials & Technology
  • Areas of expertise: Textile and nonwoven fabric engineering, materials and manufacturing, textile product design for healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors. Sustainability in the fashion and textile industry.
  • Email: S.J.Russell@leeds.ac.uk
  • Phone: +44(0)113 343 3736
  • Location: Clothworkers Central Building

Profile

I am a textile engineer and a specialist in nonwovens, with a background in both academic research and industrial product development.

Current roles

Professor of Textile Materials & Technology (2006–present), Director, Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), (2021–present), Director, Clothworkers' Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH) (2012–present), Director, Future Fashion Factory (FFF) (2018–present), Director, Nonwovens Research (1995–present). Founder and Group Technical Director, Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute (NIRI) Ltd – University of Leeds spinout company (2005–present), Chairman of HyFaCol Ltd (University of Leeds spinout Company (2023–present), Honorary Liveryman of the Clothworkers Company (2013), Freeman of the City of London (2013).

The academic research group is supported by the EPSRC, AHRC, Innovate UK and numerous companies. Research activities focus on new textile materials, manufacturing methods, and the process-structure-property relationships of textiles, particularly nonwovens and technical textiles, attracting research income of ~£30 million. The research has led to multiple industrially licensed textile technologies.

In 2005, following external investment, I founded the Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute (NIRI) Ltd, a successful University of Leeds spin-out company specialising in technical consultancy and product development, serving the global nonwovens industry.

Responsibilities

  • Director, Clothworkers' Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH)
  • Director, Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC)
  • Director, Future Fashion Factory (FFF)

Research interests

  • nonwoven materials, manufacturing and technology
  • textile science, manufacturing and technology; process-structure-property relationships
  • sustainable development of the fashion and textile industry
  • technologies for textile recycling and reuse
  • biomaterials manufacturing, design and manufacture of fibres and textile materials for healthcare
<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
  • CText FTI
  • FRSA

Current postgraduate researchers

<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>