UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Textiles: Circular Bioeconomy for Textile Materials
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal College of Art
Department Name: Materials Science Research Centre
Abstract
The current global fashion supply chain is characterised by its lack of transparency, forced labour, poor working conditions, unequal power relationships and overproduction caused by fast fashion. Lacking ethics, the global fashion supply chain is also highly polluting. The total footprint of clothing in use in the UK, including global and territorial emissions, was 26.2 million tonnes CO2 in 2016, up from 24 million tonnes in 2012 (equivalent to over a third of household transport emissions).
The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) proposes materials security for the UK by circularising resource flows of textiles. This will stimulate innovation and economic growth in the UK textile manufacturing, SME apparel and creative technology sectors, whilst reducing reliance on imported and environmentally and ethically impactful materials, and diversifying supply chains. The TCC will provide underpinning research understanding to enable the transition to a more circular economy that supports the brand 'designed and made in the UK'. To enact this vision, we will catalyse growth in the fashion and textiles sector by supporting the SME fashion-apparel community with innovations in materials and product manufacturing, access to circular materials through supply chain design, and consumer experiences.
Central to our approach is to enable consumers to be agents of change by engaging them in new cultures of consumption. We will effect a symbiosis between novel materials manufacturing and agentive consumer experiences through a supply chain design comprised of innovative business models and digital tools.
Using lab-proven biotechnology, we will transform bio-based waste-derived feedstock (post-consumer textiles, crop residues, municipal solid waste) into renewable polymers, fibres and flexible textile materials, as part of a CE transition strategy to replace imported cotton, wood pulp and synthetic polyester fibres and petrochemical finishes.
We will innovate advanced manufacturing techniques that link biorefining of organic waste, 3D weaving, robotics and additive manufacturing to circular design and produce flexible continuous textiles and three-dimensional textile forms for apparel products. These techniques will enable manufacturing hubs to be located on the high street or in local communities, and will support SME apparel brands and retailers to offer on-site/on-demand manufacture of products for local customisation. These hubs would generate regional cultural and social benefits through business and related skills development.
We will design a transparent supply chain for these textiles through industrial symbiosis between waste management, farming, bio-refinery, textile production, SME apparel brands, and consumer stakeholders. Apparel brands will access this supply chain through our digital 'Biomaterials Platform', through which they can access the materials and data on their provenance, properties, circularity, and life cycle extension strategies.
Working with SME apparel brands, we will develop an in-store Configurator and novel affective and creative technologies to engage consumers in digitally immersive experiences and services that amplify couplings between the resource flow, human well being and satisfaction, thus creating a new culture of consumption. This dematerialisation approach will necessitate innovation in business models that add value to the apparel, in order to counter overproduction and detachment. Consumers will become key nodes in the circular value chain, enabling responsible and personalised engagement.
As a human-centred design led centre, TCC is uniquely placed to generate these innovations that will catalyse significant business and skills growth in UK textile manufacturing, SME fashion-apparel, and creative technology sectors, and drastically reduce waste and carbon emissions, and environmental and ethical impacts for the textiles sector.
The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) proposes materials security for the UK by circularising resource flows of textiles. This will stimulate innovation and economic growth in the UK textile manufacturing, SME apparel and creative technology sectors, whilst reducing reliance on imported and environmentally and ethically impactful materials, and diversifying supply chains. The TCC will provide underpinning research understanding to enable the transition to a more circular economy that supports the brand 'designed and made in the UK'. To enact this vision, we will catalyse growth in the fashion and textiles sector by supporting the SME fashion-apparel community with innovations in materials and product manufacturing, access to circular materials through supply chain design, and consumer experiences.
Central to our approach is to enable consumers to be agents of change by engaging them in new cultures of consumption. We will effect a symbiosis between novel materials manufacturing and agentive consumer experiences through a supply chain design comprised of innovative business models and digital tools.
Using lab-proven biotechnology, we will transform bio-based waste-derived feedstock (post-consumer textiles, crop residues, municipal solid waste) into renewable polymers, fibres and flexible textile materials, as part of a CE transition strategy to replace imported cotton, wood pulp and synthetic polyester fibres and petrochemical finishes.
We will innovate advanced manufacturing techniques that link biorefining of organic waste, 3D weaving, robotics and additive manufacturing to circular design and produce flexible continuous textiles and three-dimensional textile forms for apparel products. These techniques will enable manufacturing hubs to be located on the high street or in local communities, and will support SME apparel brands and retailers to offer on-site/on-demand manufacture of products for local customisation. These hubs would generate regional cultural and social benefits through business and related skills development.
We will design a transparent supply chain for these textiles through industrial symbiosis between waste management, farming, bio-refinery, textile production, SME apparel brands, and consumer stakeholders. Apparel brands will access this supply chain through our digital 'Biomaterials Platform', through which they can access the materials and data on their provenance, properties, circularity, and life cycle extension strategies.
Working with SME apparel brands, we will develop an in-store Configurator and novel affective and creative technologies to engage consumers in digitally immersive experiences and services that amplify couplings between the resource flow, human well being and satisfaction, thus creating a new culture of consumption. This dematerialisation approach will necessitate innovation in business models that add value to the apparel, in order to counter overproduction and detachment. Consumers will become key nodes in the circular value chain, enabling responsible and personalised engagement.
As a human-centred design led centre, TCC is uniquely placed to generate these innovations that will catalyse significant business and skills growth in UK textile manufacturing, SME fashion-apparel, and creative technology sectors, and drastically reduce waste and carbon emissions, and environmental and ethical impacts for the textiles sector.
Organisations
- Royal College of Art (Lead Research Organisation)
- Yoox Net-a-Porter Group (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Deutschen Institute für Textil und Faserforschung (Collaboration)
- IDEO (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- University of Portsmouth (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Kingston University London (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS (Collaboration)
- Wandsworth Borough Council (Project Partner)
- NYC Economic Development Corpration (Project Partner)
- REGEMAT 3D SL (Project Partner)
- Neurosketch (Project Partner)
- ON ROAD (Project Partner)
- Reskinned Resources Ltd (Project Partner)
- SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Wilson Biochemicals Ltd (Project Partner)
- Oxfam (Project Partner)
- HKRITA (Project Partner)
- Presca Teamwear (Project Partner)
- LMB Textile Recycling (Lawrence M Barry) (Project Partner)
- Swift Analytical LTd (Project Partner)
- Royal Society of Arts (Project Partner)
- Fashion Revolution (Project Partner)
- Abertay University (Project Partner)
- SharpEnd (Project Partner)
- James Cropper (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Vireol Bio Industries plc (Project Partner)
- ReLondon (Project Partner)
- JESMOND ENGINEERING (Project Partner)
- Fashion District (Project Partner)
- Pentland Brands (Project Partner)
- London Cloth Company (Project Partner)
- Manor Farms (Project Partner)
- H&M Foundation (Project Partner)
- UK-CPI (dup'e) (Project Partner)
- Universität Innsbruck (Project Partner)
- Laudes Foundation (Project Partner)
- Ultraleap (Project Partner)
- Materials and Design Exchange (Project Partner)
- Novozymes (Denmark) (Project Partner)
- UK Fashion & Textile Association (Project Partner)
- Circular Systems (Project Partner)
- Henry Royce Institute (Project Partner)
- Kiosk N1C (Project Partner)
- EPSRC Future Composites ManufacturingHub (Project Partner)
- Business Growth Hub (Project Partner)
- Fashion for Good BV (Project Partner)
- IBM Hursley (Project Partner)
- Arcade Ltd (Project Partner)
- THP (Project Partner)
- University of Warwick (Project Partner)
Publications
Hassan M
(2022)
Photoactive Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)
Hassan M
(2023)
Cellulose hydrogel for drug delivery.
Millward-Hopkins J
(2023)
A material flow analysis of the UK clothing economy
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Millward-Hopkins J
(2023)
Scenarios for reducing the environmental impacts of the UK clothing economy
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Omar A
(2022)
4D printing of Alginate for Textile applications
Petreca B
(2023)
Body x Materials
Petreca B
(2022)
The Compositor Tool: Investigating Consumer Experiences in the Circular Economy
in Multimodal Technologies and Interaction
| Description | The TCC continues to take a whole systems approach by integrating the three research strands of materials circularity, consumer experience and supply chain collectively - which is represented by our research platform The Regenerative Fashion Hub. The TCC's Regenerative Fashion Hub, 6-week residence at LabE20 (London) that put the TCC's research on the high street to undertake primary research, and to engage public, industry, NGOs, government in discussion and participation. It is a purpose-designed/built research platform that brings to life the journey of biowaste as it is transformed by the different processes in TCC's system design, and which will enable TCC to undertake interdisciplinary research and testing in real world contexts. This is TCC's research platform for user engagement, to undertake interdisciplinary research and accelerate impact, and is the main part of its RRI approach. We hosted research studies with the consumer-public in the Configurator; studies with apparel brands using our Circular Materials Design Toolkit and TCC Materials Library so that they can explore their own 'materials ID' to design for product longevity; and studies with supply chain stakeholders to explore how flows of circular materials can be expanded. |
| Exploitation Route | Too early to report. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Retail |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk |
| Description | BEIS consultation: The Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero - Call for Evidence (June 2021) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/role-of-biomass-in-achieving-net-zero-call-for-evidence |
| Description | DEFRA 'Social Research Seminar' series - 'What works when transitioning to a sustainable system' (Sept 2022). |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | DEFRA: Consultation on the Waste Prevention Programme for England: Towards a Resource-Efficient Economy (June 2021) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/waste-prevention-programme-for-england-2021/ |
| Description | DEFRA: Resource and Waste Targets Experts Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | This group is Defra's most senior group, looking at metrics and targets for reducing waste and improving resource productivity. TCC's Co-Director, Professor Phil Purnell sits on the Group. |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/resources-and-waste-targets-expert-group |
| Description | Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Reshoring UK Garment Manufacturing with Automation: Recommendations for Government report (April 2022) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://ktn-uk.org/news/big-designs-for-reshoring-uk-fashion/ |
| Description | SUEZ roundtable 'Not a second to waste: policy priorities for the waste & resources sector' |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Circular Economy for SMEs - innovating with the NICER programme: Measuring impact, digitising supply chains: A Material Impact Tool for the circular textiles economy |
| Amount | £97,414 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | Consumer Experience (CX) Digital Tools for Dematerialisation for the Circular Economy |
| Amount | £845,226 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/V042289/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | Demonstrating the Production of Sustainable Circular Bio-based Textiles (EPSRC Impact Accelerator Award - Strategic Priorities Competition) |
| Amount | £133,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2022 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Scaling up bacterial cellulose production - EPSRC Impact Accelerator Award |
| Amount | £34,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Standard Research Human-Computer Interactions |
| Amount | £2,652,958 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/W020610/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2022 |
| End | 07/2026 |
| Description | THYME Proof of Principle with the University of Teesside looking at complementary aspects of the Materials Circularity Research Strand work on strain development |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
| Department | Research England |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 04/2022 |
| Title | Circular Materials Design Toolkit |
| Description | The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) Materials Circularity research strand (MC) 'Circular Materials Design Toolkit' is a tool to explore possibilities for material longevity and creative material differentiation with apparel brands and material designers using circular materials and processes developed in the UKRI Interdisciplinary Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC). The TCC MC Circular Materials Design Toolkit includes the TCC Materials Library and was designed as a tool for apparel brands and material start-ups to understand, develop and apply TCC materials and manufacturing processes to redesign their process flows and value chains. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The Circular Materials Design Toolkit emerged from interdisciplinary collaboration in materials circularity research and includes the TCC Materials Library - a library of cards containing details, photos and illustrations - that communicate the technical specification and circular design possibilities of materials. The MC strand's Circular Materials Design Toolkit directly involved 14 companies and indirectly involved ~100 apparel brands and material start-ups. Participants intend to use the toolkit and associated Materials Library Cards e.g. for start-up development (Arda Biomaterials, Amphibio) and to adopt new materials (Wiggle). Further reach was achieved via social media sharing by partners (e.g. Fashion District). The Materials Library and Circular Materials Design toolkit study will be available on the TCC website. |
| Title | Consumer Experience Scenario-Building Toolkit |
| Description | The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) Consumer Experience (CX) Scenario-Building Toolkit is a card-based resource developed for use with consumers, designers, and industry to explore and re-design their experiences of the textile circular economy. The toolkit cards are used to build possible scenarios (stories) that describe a retail experience, and the resources and events that might feature in it. Scenario-building enables us to facilitate interactions with key stakeholders to bring their knowledge and insights into the TCC research and ensure that CX design of scenarios are informed by real-world needs. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The CX team validated its Scenario-building Toolkit with SME createch companies SharpEnd (product tracking), Arcade (immersive storytelling), Ultraleap (tactile interfaces), OWidgets (olfactory interfaces), YNAP (digital retail and apparel production), and the large global design consultancy IDEO. The toolkit has informed the development of four provisional scenarios from an industry-workshop. The tool has been validated by industry partners who requested to take the tool into their companies to facilitate interactions with clients or other stakeholders. The case study was published on the CE Hub's website in August 2022. |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/knowledge-hub/nicer-case-study-consumer-experience-scenario-building-toolkit/ |
| Title | Material Flow Analysis (MFA) |
| Description | Materials Flow Analysis, drawing on mainly UK Govt data from e.g. imports, exports, UK production, waste composition and volumes figures, plus some trade body data. The materials flow is presented as a Sankey diagram in order that the flows can be visualised. This is combined with a value analysis (i.e. changes in cash value per tonne through the flow) and a preliminary estimate of carbon emissions associated with each flow. The tool is similar to the CVORR analysis developed in NERC grant NE/L014149/1. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The overall analysis is being developed into a more specific case study (on shirts) and combined with a number of scenarios of changes from business-as-usual to see how proposed changes (e.g. increased reuse and recycling rates, use of novel production methods, changes in consumer behaviour) affect the flows and hence the economic and environmental impacts. We hope to trial the specific model with commercial stakeholders later this year to provide insights into how changes in their production and business practices will produce more environmentally friendly products. |
| Title | TCC Configurator |
| Description | The TCC Configurator is an experience platform formed by research tools and methods, through which consumer experience studies can be carried out. The studies included the 'Journey Notes' to bring people to reflect on their meaning-making through the journey of biowaste, the 'Design effort' to investigate the role of effort in garment configuration, the 'Materials Gym' to bring people to generate textiles knowledge combined with 'Movement capturing tools' to study the gestures people use in experiencing textiles, and the 'Shirt Builder' for people to participate in garment configuration and reflect on clothes longevity. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This has allowed the CX strand to test elements of the wellbeing framework, which will contribute to formalising it for publication. The studies also further inform the next steps of our research, further wellbeing elements that should be tested and how to continue iterating the Configurator. |
| Title | The Compositor Tool |
| Description | 'The Compositor Tool' presented new ways of understanding materials' past, present and future to inform how people select and configure materials to build their own shoe. It is comprised of four experiences: (i) component selection; (ii) material stories (an interactive station that enables understanding of material's beginnings; (iii) material futures (an interactive station that enables people to visualise the future life cycles of the materials); (iv) a materials gym (an interactive station where people can sensorially experience properties of materials). |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The Compositor Tool was the feasibility study that grounded the conceptualisation of the Configurator tool for the TCC project. We were also featured in RCA news: https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/how-can-human-centred-design-help-us-become-custodians-of-the-circular-economy/ Thanks Bruna - news story beign reported under engagment. This record has been added under Methods. |
| URL | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/6/4/24 |
| Title | TextileNet: A Material Taxonomy-based Fashion Textile Dataset |
| Description | Fashion textile dataset, TextileNet, based on textile material taxonomies - a fibre taxonomy and a fabric taxonomy generated in collaboration with material scientists. TextileNet can be used to train and evaluate the state-of-the-art Deep Learning models for textile materials. We hope to standardize textile related datasets through the use of taxonomies. TextileNet contains 33 fibres labels and 27 fabrics labels, and has in total 760,949 images. We use standard Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers (ViTs) to establish baselines for this dataset. Future applications for this dataset range from textile classification to optimization of the textile supply chain and interactive design for consumers. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Citations. We envision that this can contribute to the development of a new AI-based fashion platform. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2301.06160 |
| Description | Deutsche Institute für Textil und Faserforschung (German institute for fibre research) |
| Organisation | Deutschen Institute für Textil und Faserforschung |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Deutsche Institute für Textil und Faserforschung will use their expertise to modify cellulose produced by the University of York |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cellulose |
| Impact | Increase knowledge on cellulose. Biology and chemistry. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | IDEO |
| Organisation | IDEO |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The TCC Consumer Experience Research Strand worked alongside industry partners from 5 organisations to develop scenarios for future consumer experiences in a circular textiles economy utilizing the CX scenario-building toolkit. |
| Collaborator Contribution | IDEO participated at an industry workshop to contribute their existing knowledge to the development of scenarios with the TCC team and other industry partners. |
| Impact | The engagement with the TCC CX academic team led to a new project development, which is related and extends the work of Prof Fotopoulou in TCC. Design, HCI, UX, psychology, neuroscience, social sciences. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Kingston University: 'The Old Pants Project: Mycoremediation of Waste Textiles', CE Hub Flexible fund |
| Organisation | Kingston University London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mentorship by Professor Neil Bruce (MC Research Strand at University of York) for CE Hub Flexible Fund awarded project: 'The Old Pants Project: Mycoremediation of Waste Textiles' led by Dr Suzy Moody at Kingston University |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Old Pants Project is an innovative feasibility study that aims to demonstrate whether growing edible mushrooms on textile waste is a viable alternative to the landfill and incineration that is currently used to dispose of over 92 million tonnes of fabric every year. Growing a valuable resource like food on old clothes would be a big step in making the fashion industry more sustainable, reducing pollution and potentially provide a source of protein in low- and middle-income countries that are the destination of much of our global textile waste. |
| Impact | Ongoing collaboration |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | University of Portsmouth and University of York |
| Organisation | University of Portsmouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | University of York: collaboration on enzymatic treatment of textile to digest cellulosic and synthetic fraction |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Portsmouth have expertise in investigating enzymes for plastic digestion that could be applied to polyester. |
| Impact | Ongoing collaboration |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | University of the Creative Arts: 'Circular Cricket Gear [CCG]: concepts and materials for the circular design of gloves and balls', CE Hub Flexible fund |
| Organisation | University for the Creative Arts |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Mentorship by Ricardo O'Nascimento (CX Research Strand at RCA) for CE Hub Flexible Fund awarded project: 'Circular Cricket Gear [CCG]: concepts and materials for the circular design of gloves and balls' led by Martin Charter at University of the Creative Arts. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As the 2nd largest sport and potentially the most gear intensive sport, cricket has been generally slow to take on environmental and sustainability concerns. Previous research undertaken through PASIC platform identified that sustainability initiatives in cricket focus primarily on the wider impact of climate change on the game, impact on the venues, facilities, and grounds. The Circular Cricket Gear (CCG) project will focus on exploring potential strategies to maintain the value of products, components, and materials in the economic and social systems of cricket gear, as well as exploring innovation in relation to new materials for cricket gloves, batting pads and balls. The aim is for an initial lab-based prototype to be developed by the end of this project. |
| Impact | Ongoing collaboration |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | YNAP |
| Organisation | YOOX Net-a-Porter Group |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The TCC Consumer Experience Research Strand worked alongside industry partners from 5 organisations to develop scenarios for future consumer experiences in a circular textiles economy utilizing the CX scenario-building toolkit. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Industry partners displayed items at the TCC's exhibition during the TCC's annual dissemination activities (20-25th September 2021). YNAP, Dress-X, Ultraleap and OWidgets participated in the exhibition, contributing technologies that helped the TCC in signposting directions that the CX research strand will explore to empower consumers via tech development. YNAP displayed Porte & Paire shoes with unique Digital ID used to unlock exclusive content around styling, care and circularity; YNAP displayed a MR P. T-shirt with a QR code to unlock more information about the product, advice on caring for the item and styling. |
| Impact | A study with 500 consumers was carried out by Prof Fotopoulou to gather insights on the smart labels (Digital ID - NFC and QR code) starting to be used by YNAP to provide greater transparancy on their products regarding material provenance and production processes. Design, HCI, UX, psychology, neuroscience, social sciences |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Biomanufacturing regenerative textiles using cellulosic wastes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at Resourcing the Future Conference 2021: Thriving in the 'age of acceleration': keeping pace with technological, environmental, and political change. This is a partnership event brought to you by CIWM, ESA, Wrap and Incpen. Network with waste professionals. Involved in panel discussion following presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Biomass Biorefinery Network conference - Textiles session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at the annual conference BBNet 'Bio-manufacturing on the road to a net zero carbon economy', 14 October 2021, Dr Alexandra Lanot, University of York. Activity: Presentation at the annual conference BBNet 'Bio-manufacturing on the road to a net zero carbon economy. Aim: to share information and network with scientist, industry, policy makers and industrial in the area of biomass. Engagement with the company Bamboo Clothing and Loughborough University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bbnet-nibb.co.uk/2021/11/08/newly-awarded-phase-ii-bbsrc-nibb-bbnet-the-biomass-biorefin... |
| Description | CE Hub webinar: Circular design - NICER programme open webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Design is a critical enabler of a Circular Economy and influences the entire value chain. In the 2nd NICER Programme Webinar, presentations and panel discussion by international thought leaders on the implementation of Circular Design and from the UKRI Circular Economy Centres on how their research is addressing key challenges relating to product, service and system level design. Presentations by Dr Miriam Ribul and Dr Bruna Petreca, RCA for MC and CX Research Strands. 4 speakers presented their current work within the circular design space. A Q&A followed, where audience could engage further with speakers. Fostered interactions with the CE Hub and with our industry partner IDEO. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/circular-design-nicer-programme-webinar-registration-168590730413?kee... |
| Description | CE Hub's Knowledge Hub case study: Consumer Experience Scenario-Building Toolkit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC) Consumer Experience (CX) Scenario-Building Toolkit is a card-based resource developed for use with consumers, designers, and industry to explore and re-design their experiences of the textile circular economy. The toolkit cards are used to build possible scenarios (stories) that describe a retail experience, and the resources and events that might feature in it. (Published 16 August 2022). The case study has been viewed 98 times on the CE Hub website, which further promotes the TCC's research to a wider audience. The TCC has been approached by reuse textile company following the information shared in the CX case study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/knowledge-hub/nicer-case-study-consumer-experience-scenario-building-toolkit/ |
| Description | CE Hub's Knowledge Hub case study: Materials Circularity bacterial cellulose production and fibre spinning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The TCC Materials Circularity (MC) research strand produced bacterial cellulose by recycling three different bio-based waste streams for a sustainable polymer production, which was introduced into preliminary trials for a clean production of regenerated cellulose fibres. (Published 16 August 2022). The case study has been viewed 233 times on the CE Hub website, which further promotes the TCC's research to a wider audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/knowledge-hub/nicer-case-study-materials-circularity-mc-bacterial-cellulose-produ... |
| Description | CE-Hub lunchtime webinar: CE and Citizens with Dr Bruna Petreca, TCC at RCA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Bruna Petreca, CX Strand at RCA, was a guest panellist on this lunchtime webinar organised by the NICER CE Hub to discuss citizens engagement in the circular economy. The panel included Neha Rao from Wrap and Catriona Tassell Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London. In this lunchtime webinar of 2022, we discussed citizen behaviour and engaging citizens in CE. The lively session, chaired by Dr Zaneta Muranko, CE-Hub, covered topics of engaging citizens in CE activity, understanding citizen behaviour to influence business models and circular interventions and measuring and enabling behavioural change. (17 November 2022). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/events/ce-and-citizens-ce-hub-lunchtime-webinar/ |
| Description | COP26: Research with a view photography exhibition at the University of York |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | MC Strand photographs selected for COP26 photography exhibition at the University of York. The event forms part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, an annual celebration of the social sciences and a key element of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) commitment to promote awareness of UK social science research to new audiences. Photography exhibition showing York's climate research. The exhibition 'COP26: Research with a view' provided glimpses of the research work in some of the world's most precious landscapes, from the Arctic to Africa, and coincides with the COP26 conference in Glasgow. Showed research work to general public and raise awareness and solutions being developed to combat climate change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/research/new-photography-exhibition-york%27s-climat... |
| Description | Chancellor of the Exchequer visit to Royal College of Art with presentation by Prof Sharon Baurley, Textiles Circularity Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Chancellor of the Exchequer visit to Royal College of Art with presentation by Prof Sharon Baurley, Textiles Circularity Centre on 10 May 2022. Raising the profile of the TCC. Informed HM Treasury of its investment in the RCA research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Chemistry for the Environment symposium by the Royal Society of Chemistry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and panel participation by Dr Miriam Ribul, Royal College of Art, on 'Multi-stakeholder material systems: designing with materials in 2021'. Set of strategies for interdisciplinary engagement. Engagement of interdisciplinary collaborations and inputs from multiple disciplines in scientific conferences. The organisers reported an interest to include further design research presentations in future scientific conferences and events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/47820/chemistry-for-the-environment |
| Description | Circular dyes and finishes seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | TCC Materials Circularity Research Strand seminar: Circular dyes and finishes. International seminar with project partners in the British Academy of Medical Sciences Global Challenges Research Fund project entitled 'A Brazil-UK Network for Natural Polymers derived from Local Food Industry By-products' from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. This TCC MC seminar explored collaboration opportunities with partners in the Brisith Academy GCRF project. Presentations on Zoom led by the University of York and Cranfield University were followed by a presentation of partners at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, and a discussion to explore further links in reusing natural dyes from waste. Interest in international collaboration and opportunities, as well as the possibiliy to use dyeing systems developed in Brazil within the technologies led by Cranfield in the TCC. Potential future public seminars were discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Circularity of Textiles: Designing a transition pathway workshop facilitated by Policy Connect. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Circularity of Textiles: Designing a transition pathway workshop facilitated by Policy Connect. A hybrid event (online and in-person) attended by 25 people from: TCC consortium, Policy Connect, representatives from local councils (Kent, Hants, Sheffield, Wandsworth); organisations: KTN, ReLondon, WRAP, Enworks, West London Waste Authority, Textiles Recycling Association, RSA, Circuthon Consulting, British Fashion Council; universities/academics not part of the TCC Consortium (Leeds). The workshop focussed on designing a transition pathway to circularity for textiles. It aimed to define the role of the newly established Textile Circularity Centre in the policy context and set out how its research can contribute to the policy developments that aim to encourage the transition to textiles circularity. Relationship building with stakeholders in the Circular Economy; stage 1 of gathering insights to feed into the TCC's Transformation Pathway protocol. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Collaboration with UCL MSc students and DressX |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | DressX (a start-up at the forefront of offering digital-only garments) participated in 2 MSc projects, supervised by Prof Nadia Bianchi-Berthouze (UCLIC) and Dr Bruna Petreca (RCA). The company acted as gatekeeper to recruit digital garment owners and digital garment designers, who participated in the student's research. They have also contributed in-kind by offering digital garments for the students to use in their studies.. Two UCL MSc projects in Human-Computer Interaction co-supervised by UCL (Berthouze) and RCA (Petreca) and supported by DressX have been successfully completed. Two UCL MSc projects in Human-Computer Interaction co-supervised by UCL (Berthouze) and RCA (Petreca) and supported by DressX have been successfully completed. THE PROJECTS WHERE EXHIBITED AT THE TCC ANNUAL DISSEMINATION EVENT AT LCF 2021. THIS HAS LED TO BUILD UP INTEREST IN OTHER STUDENTS AT UNDERGRADUATE AND MSC LEVELS. The projects have led to interesting findings around the opportunities that digital clothing technology offers to customers in terms of exploring and creating one's identity without the use of physical clothing. Findings have also shown the needs to make the digital clothing multi-sensory rather than solely a visual experience. In addition, it also emerged that as for physical clothing, multi-sensory interaction and mainly tactile interaction with the digital clothing may facilitate attachment to digital clothing letting them remain for longer in the circular economy rather than leading to a fast digital clothing mania. From a designer perspective, it was shown how digital clothing also creates a new space for designers to build their own brand identity and to redefine the concept of clothing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Consumer Experience Research Strand: Workshop to build awareness of CX scenario building toolkit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Workshop to build awareness of TCC research programme and Consumer Experience research Strand, with industry partners: Arcade, SharpEnd, YNAP, Ultraleap. Industry partners displayed items at the TCC's exhibition during the TCC's annual dissemination activities (20-25th September 2021). YNAP displayed Porte & Paire shoes with unique Digital ID used to unlock exclusive content around styling, care and circularity; YNAP displayed a MR P. T-shirt with a QR code to unlock more information about the product, advice on caring for the item and styling; Ultraleap demonstrated using technology to create novel tactile sensations in mid-air. The first workshop with partners has enabled the TCC Consumer Experience Research Strand to strengthen its collaborations with its industry partners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Consumer Experience Research Strand: Workshop to pilot CX scenario building toolkit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Six participants from industry and academia. Feedback on toolkit and iterate further ahead of workshop with industry. The workshop enabled the TCC to iterate the Consumer Experience Research Strand toolkit, and create the latest version of the toolkit. Feedback on toolkit and iterate further ahead of workshop with industry. The workshop enabled the TCC to iterate the Consumer Experience Research Strand toolkit, and create the latest version of the toolkit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Donghua Executive Education |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Short Executive Education course for academics at Donghua University, China: Cross-disciplinary education programmes. Along with a number of education and research groups at the RCA, the TCC team presented their methodological approach to interdisciplinary research and to collaborating with mutliple stakeholders and partners. (27 February 2023) This is the second year the team has delivered Executive Education training to academics at Donghua University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Empowering citizen-consumers in a fashion-textiles Circular Economy with Circular Economy Club (London Chapter). |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentations by TCC Consumer Experience Research Strand and industry partners: SharpEnd, Arcade, Ultraleap, OWidgets, YNAP. 76 people attended (of 168 registered). TCC CX strand academics and industry partners offered a view of promising approaches and technologies that are being put in place to address this challenge. This was followed by a mapping activity of initiatives in London that support consumers to keep apparel in use for longer. Initiation of exercise to map organisations focussing on pre-ownership, use, re-valuing/next life, and post-ownership/end of life. The TCC broadened its network. Through collaborating with the CEC, we learnt a new method for mapping which we can reuse for future user engagement activities. Through this event with Circular Economy Club, the CX Research Strand managed to bring all our current CX technology partners around a virtual-table to discuss existing opportunities and potential strategies to digitally empower consumers in a fashion-textile CE. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/empowering-citizen-consumers-fashion-textiles-circular-... |
| Description | Future consumer experiences in a circular economy: a scenario-building workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | CX Strand workshop: 'Future consumer experiences in a circular economy: a scenario-building workshop'. The CX Research Strand team worked alongside industry partners from 5 organisations (IDEO, DressX, Arcade, SharpEnd, YNAP) to develop scenarios for future consumer experiences in a circular textiles economy utilizing the CX scenario-building toolkit. The workshop was attended by 18 people (in-person). Insights for building scenarios from data collected from toolkit activities. Data is being analysed to inform the Consumer Experience Research Strand scenario building. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited talk at the Institute for Design Informatics seminars, University of Edinburgh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Cho and Prof Berthouze, CX Research Strand, UCL: Engaging people with material through low cost technology (3rd November 2022). This seminar presented Prof Nadia Bethouze and Dr Youngjun Cho's work in progress to develop low cost ubiquitous technology to support a textile circular economy based on wellbeing. The first part discussed how the team aims to harness interactive low cost ubiquitous tools to capture garment material properties and behaviour. In the second part the seminar focussed on the team's aim to create technology that engages consumers in embodied experiences of textiles to increase awareness of how they feel. The invitation to present to the School of Informatics/Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh arose from the initial seminar hosted by the TCC in May 2022. It led to follow-up conversation with attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/design-informatics-webinar-nadia-berthouze-youngjun-cho-tickets-45380... |
| Description | MC Strand dissemination: media broadcast on BBC Saturday Breakfast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Featuring the work in the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products at the University of York and Cranfield University with interviews with Professor Simon McQueen-Mason, Dr Alexandra Lanot and Dr Sameer Rahatekar. Media broadcast. Reached a wide audience. The TCC learnt about communicating its research to a non-specialist audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | MC Strand masterclass |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A seminar as part of a masterclass series from the School of Management at York. Impacts: A few follow-up emails commenting on enjoying the event and asking questions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | MC Strand outreach activity: Sustainable Futures Festival- Making fashion Sustainable workshop - presentation to A-Level Textiles students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Sustainable Futures Festival- Making fashion Sustainable workshop. Presentation at All Saints RC School in York with A-Level Textiles students, as part of their sustainable futures festival, in order to disseminate the work in TCC on sustainable textiles and to inspire future designers. Disseminated the work of TCC on sustainable textiles and to inspire future designers. Dr Alexandra Lanot presented a talk and activity around the textile industry and opportunities to make fashion sustainable in future. Dr Miriam Ribul's presentation focused on her career in textile and design-science research to inspire young female textile students. Inspired young female textile A-Level students to consider professions in the textiles industry, textile and design-science research, with future sustainability. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | MC Strand seminar: Bacterial cellulose processes at University of York - a film |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Video of the novel process developed at the University of York. Interest from non scientist in the work done at the University of York. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Making Stuff Greener panel discussion at the Great Exhibition Road festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Making Stuff Greener panel discussion at the Great Exhibition Road festival organised by the Royal Geographical Society with Imperial College London, 10 October 2021. Gbemi Oluleye from Imperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy, Miriam Ribul from the Royal College of Art's Materials Science Research Centre and the Science Museum Curator Rupert Cole to explore the much-needed revolution in our manufacturing sector. Together they looked at advanced material and energy efficiency, carbon capture technology, new biomaterials materials and green chemistry-driven industrial process as well as the economic and political barriers that manufacturers face in bringing their traditional business models into the leaner, greener 21st century. This discussion was hosted by The Forum, Imperial College London's policy engagement programme, which connects leading researchers with policymakers to discover new thinking on global challenges. The purpose was to debate the role of distributed manufacturing in making stuff greener and to stimulate debate and thinking in industry and the general public. The event had social media reach and was followed by in-depth questions of the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/event/making-stuff-greener/ |
| Description | NICER Programme National Launch - Textiles Circularity Centre session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Led by the National CE-hub to showcase the NICER programme, the TCC was officially launched with presentations made by the TCC Consortium. Raised awareness amongst academic, industry, third sector, NGO, citizen groups about the NICER programme and how they can get involved, participate and partner with the TCC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/news/landmark-30m-uk-national-programme-launched-to-elevate-circular-economy-rese... |
| Description | NICER Programme National Launch - whole programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Led by the National CE-hub, a project designed to unite the 5 CE centres, and the wider CE community, showcased the overall NICER programme, and featured keynotes speakers, panels, and workshops. A presentation by Professor Sharon Baurley, Director of the Interdisciplinary Textiles Circularity Centre (TCC), drew attention to the consumer in a CE. She focused on the question of how we can create relationships between producers and consumers to increase the life span of clothing and textiles, and how we can redefine the connection between well-being and consumption. Achieving this would require a whole system approach from the materials used and the ways that clothing is manufactured and designed, to the business models that support repair, upgrade, durability, and adaptability above disposal. The launch of the CE Centres and NICER programme garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback and support for the programme ambition, with attendees across the globe joining, interacting with, and contributing to the discussion, and simultaneously building and strengthening an international CE community. Raised awareness amongst academic, industry, third sector, NGO, citizen groups about the NICER programme and how they can get involved, participate and partner with the TCC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://ce-hub.org/news/landmark-30m-uk-national-programme-launched-to-elevate-circular-economy-rese... |
| Description | News article by UKFT: Textiles Circularity Centre: Keeping materials in use and designing out waste |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Textiles Circularity Centre: Keeping materials in use and designing out waste published 27 June 2022. It promoted the TCC's first annual showcase and online exhibition held in September 2021. Outcome of TCC's annual dissemination showcase in 2021 led to article published on UKFT website, promoting the work of the TCC. Outcome of TCC's annual disseminiation showcase in 2021 led to article published on UKFT website, promoting the work of the TCC. The article has 1840 impressions and 15 reposts on LinkedIn. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ukft.org/textiles-circularity-centre-pvjuly22/ |
| Description | News story published on RCA website: How can human-centred design help us become custodians of the circular economy? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of Earth Day 2022, the Material Science Research Centre (MSRC) and Textiles Circularity Research Centre (TCC) reflect on the role that human centred design can play in creating circular economies which support environmental wellbeing. Published on 22 April 2022. The news article has had 92 page views. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/how-can-human-centred-design-help-us-become-custodians-of... |
| Description | One World Living (OWL) cross-London authority group: OWL Programme x London Higher Education Universities Roundtable (12 May 2022) ; London Climate Goals Design Sprint |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In December 2019, London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) and the London Environment Directors' Network (LEDNet) published a Joint Statement on Climate Change, where a commitment was made to "Act ambitiously to meet the climate challenge that the science sets out, and find political and practical solutions to delivering carbon reductions that also secure the wellbeing of Londoners". The One World Living programme is one of seven London-wide local authority climate programmes, which aims to significantly reduce consumption emissions across London, focussing on four initial thematic areas: electricals, food, plastics, and textiles. Action Plan published. Four projects with community and council groups being progressed, one in garement repair initiatives. A number of cross-London pilot projects. Bringing together environment teams, digital & data colleagues and industry experts to explore new approaches to London's net-zero goals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://londoncouncils.gov.uk/our-key-themes/climate-change |
| Description | Panel discussion at Future Fabrics Expo 2022: Harvesting Agricultural Waste |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Alexandra Lanot, MC Strand at University of York, and Valerie Langer (Canopy Planet and TCC Advisory Group) participated in a panel discussion on Agricultural Waste at the 2022 Future Fabrics Expo (28 June 2022). Dr Sameer Rahatekar, Cranfield University, sent samples which were presented at the Expo. Seminar was published online as part of the Future Fabrics Expo 2022 webinar series and so far it has attracted 175 views. The major impact has been the follow-on discussions with Canopy and a large fashion brand. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com/10ffe |
| Description | Podcast: Metacast CNN Brazil, episode #05 - Digital Fashion and the new limits of the body in Web 3.0 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Bruna Petreca, CX Strand at RCA, was a guest on Metacast CNN Brazil, episode #05 - Digital Fashion and the new limits of the body in Web 3.0 (recorded in 08/06/2022 and published in 01/08/2022). As an outcome of this podcast: Dr Bruna Petreca was invited for another Podcast in Brazil for a full episode on her research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/8tbiS-Q_h9A |
| Description | Podcast: V.Talks, episode #03 - How technology influences fashion? (Brazil) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Bruna Petreca, CX Strand at RCA, was a guest on V.Talks, episode #03 - How technology influences fashion? (recorded in 15/08/2022 and published in 08/09/2022). This episode can have a big impact on industry, given that V.talks is organized by Vicunha Têxtil S.A. (the largest Brazilian enterprise in the textiles and clothing sector. Vertically integrated, Vicunha is engaged in spinning, weaving, and knitting textile fibers, dyeing and printing fabrics, and making garments. It has offices in USA, EU, China, Argentina, and Colombia and exports to 80 countries). The Instagram post had 289 views. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.vicunha.com/vtalks/temporada/02/ep03 |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub showcase exhibition (in person) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TCC's second annual dissemination activites: the 'Regenerative Fashion Hub' showcase exhibition (in person). The Regenerative Fashion Hub was a 6-week residency at Lab E20, Stratford, London, to put the research of the Textiles Circularity Centre into sustainable apparel-textiles on the high street. We showcased our research into bio textiles development, product and consumer experience designs that brought to life the journey of biowaste from source of waste through to the consumption of apparel. During the residency, we welcomed delegates from the public, industry and academia to immerse themselves in the potential for an alternative to the current fashion model, and look ahead to groundbreaking research transforming the landscape. (17 October 2022 to 30 November 2022). We showcased our research into bio textiles development, product and consumer experience designs that brought to life the journey of biowaste from source of waste through to the consumption of apparel. This is TCC's research platform for user engagement, to undertake interdisciplinary research and accelerate impact, and is the main part of its RRI approach. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/the-regenerative-fashion-hub/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub showcase exhibition at the LabE20 (online) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TCC's second annual dissemination activites: the 'Regenerative Fashion Hub' showcase exhibition (online). The Regenerative Fashion Hub was a 6-week residency at Lab E20, Stratford, London, to put the research of the Textiles Circularity Centre into sustainable apparel-textiles on the high street. We showcased our research into bio textiles development, product and consumer experience designs that brought to life the journey of biowaste from source of waste through to the consumption of apparel. During the residency, we welcomed delegates from the public, industry and academia to immerse themselves in the potential for an alternative to the current fashion model, and look ahead to groundbreaking research transforming the landscape. 17 October 2022 to 30 November 2022. This is TCC's research platform for user engagement, to undertake interdisciplinary research and accelerate impact, and is the main part of its RRI approach. The purpose of this activity was to introduce general public and other audiences to the showcased work. 126 people have viewed the film. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/the-regenerative-fashion-hub/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: BBSRC Seminar: Designing living microorganisms: self-constructing bacterial cellulose fibres by Roberta Morrow, RCA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Roberta Morrow, Materials Circularity Research Strand, RCA, presented a seminar on incorporating design innovation knowledge to biological and textile manufacturing. Dr Miriam Ribul, Materials Circularity Research Strand, RCA, facilitated. This webinar enjoyed attendance of varied audiences from research community and industry, and a lively and engaged discussion within the Q&A. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/bbsrc-seminar-designing-living-microorganisms-case-study-self-... |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: CX Co-design for the circular economy: a participatory workshop exploring customised clothing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Lili Golmohammadi, CX Strand, UCL, explores co-design with participants as a way to contribute to the circular economy (workshop held on 29 November 2022). This workshop invited participants to bring two items of clothing to the workshop, which they would then feedback to the research team. The participants received iron-on patches as a memento. Purpose: to understand the future of co-design as a sustainable approach to fashion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/co-design-for-the-circular-economy-a-participatory-workshop-ex... |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: CX Configurator Study |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The TCC Configurator is conceptualised as a set of future (digital and non-digital) shop-based services and experiences that will allow consumers to learn more about the materials that make their clothes, understand designed and access support to care for textiles. Studies took place on 8th, 15th and 29th November 2022. The purpose was to gather data on public understanding of the content and use for research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/the-configurator/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: CX Guided Journey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Guided journey with the researchers through the Regenerative Fashion Hub stations. This interactive workshop focused on how much the public know about the ethics of fashion and consumption. The tour was informal and emcompassed all of the Lab E20 exhibition. Purpose: to gather data on public understanding of the message and use for research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: CX Interactive workshop 'Can you dress well, feel good and save the planet at the same time?' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Prof Katerina Fotopoulou and her team from University College London joined TCC to study the correlation between wellbeing and environmental action through fashion and textiles. Two sessions were held - 1st November and 8th November 2022. The purpose was to gather data on public understanding of the message and use for research. This interactive workshop focused on how much the public know about the ethics of fashion and consumption. The researchers looked to discuss how much knowledge and opportunities are required to serve all these needs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/rfh-can-you-dress-well-feel-good-and-save-the-planet-at-the-sa... |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: CX Materials Gym |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Dr Bruna Petreca and Ricardo O'Nascimento, CX Strand at RCA, ran the workshop focused on emotional response to textiles (15 November 2022). This was a fun participatory workshop, which includes taking part in a materials 'gym' class on techniques for feeling and understanding materials, and activities for reflecting on how and why our clothes make us feel the way we do. Purpose: exploring how the impact of textiles on the participants emotional state can engage with research on how to tackle overconsumption. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/materials-gym-a-participatory-workshop-on-how-to-feel-and-move... |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: Circular Supply Chain study: Consumer Experience (CX), Materials, and Systems Thinkers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | These studies were conducted by Professor Gareth Loudon, RCA, and Professor Steve Evans, University of Cambridge, and had the aim to understand how apparel supply chains could be made more circula posing the question 'How might we widen the flow - of circular materials and value - and create a more circular apparel industry?'. Studies took place on 21, 25 and 28 November 2022. Engage diverse audiences including consumers, systems thinkers and materials experts in our ideas and progress reframing of the global supply chain for apparel. This study brought together Systems thinkers to discuss and engage with proposals on creating a more sustainable global supply chain for apparel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/circular-supply-chain-study-systems-workshop/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: College visit by Morley College |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Twelve Morley College students attended the Regenerative Fashion Hub on 24 November 2022. A tour was given by Bruna Petreca and Lucie Hernandez, and the students had the opportunity to engage with the immersive elements of the Regenerative Fashion Hub, ask questions and get inspiration. The visitors enjoyed direct engagement from the focus community to the work on display, and will yield further engagement with this audience group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: Edie Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Sarah from The Edie speaks with the RCA's Director of the Materials Science Research Centre at the RCA and PI of the TCC, Professor Sharon Baurley, who discusses what it will take to transition to a circular fashion economy. Episode 4: Net-zero jargon, regenerative fashion and plant-based futures. Published 31 January 2023. The podcast recording was included in a 'special' episode focusing on many different elements of the environmental movement, therefore including the TCC research was very promising for future engagement. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.edie.net/sustainability-uncovered-podcast-episode-4-net-zero-jargon-regenerative-fashion... |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: MC Circular Materials Design Toolkit studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Dr Miriam Ribul and Roberta Morrow at the RCA ran three research studies with apparel brands and material start-ups exploring how TCC materials and manufacturing processes can enable brands to creatively differentiate themselves and establish strategies for material longevity. Studies took place on 16 November 2022 and 23 November 2022. These studies aimed to inspire creative material differentiation and material longevity in a circular economy with apparel design brands and materials start-ups. Participants used the TCC Materials Library to understand materials and manufacturing processes developed in the TCC Materials Circularity research strand. By reconsidering process flows and value chains in the garment design process, participants designed applications for novel materials and processes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/materials-circularity-study/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: Reception 1 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We engaged our audiences in a bespoke manner with an evening exhibition setting with Roberta Morrow, Miriam Ribul and Richardo O'Nascimento providing tours on 17 November 2022. Attendees included fashion brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, smaller brands such as FitnFly and organisations such as WRAP. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/the-regenerative-fashion-hub-evening-networking-sessions/ |
| Description | Regenerative Fashion Hub: Reception 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | We engaged our audiences in a bespoke manner with an evening exhibition setting with Bruna Petreca and Lucie Hernandez providing tours on 24 November 2022. We provided a more bespoke experience for our networks and to establish partnerships and collaborations with industry, community groups, NGOs, and local government. Attendees included Newham Council, Poplar Works. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/the-regenerative-fashion-hub-evening-networking-sessions/ |
| Description | STEM presentation to Gray Court School, SW London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | As apart of STEM week in schools Roberta Morrow, Postdoc, RCA, recorded a presentation for sixth form students about the work of the TCC highlighting the sustainable issues of the textile industry. Increase interactions with local communities; and becoming an active part in the sharing of knowledge around textile circularity and the affects of textile consumption . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Science Minister visits University of York's BioYorkshire initiative |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Dr Alexandra Lanot, University of York's BioYorkshire initiative, presented research on sustainable textiles to Science Minister George Freeman and Emma Lindsell from UK Research and Innovation on 11 March 2022. This visit raised awareness of the impact of the textile industry and the work done by TCC to the minister and UKRI. A follow up presentation was requested by the University of York to present to the UKRI board. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/events/freeman-bioyorkshire-visit/ |
| Description | Seminar series: CX Research Strand: Innovative methods for designing circular consumer experiences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This TCC Consumer Experience (CX) Research Strand Seminar presented work-in-progress research on their interdisciplinary approach with particular attention to a scenario building toolkit, a prototype tool developed to explore and re-design consumers' and industry experiences in the textile circular economy. The seminar provided a brief background to this innovative and co-creative design approach, discussed their use of card-based tools in our previous research, and outline the development and use of the CX scenario toolkit as a promising approach for research on Consumer Experience within the Textiles Circularity Centre. Participants were encouraged to test the toolkit during breakout sessions and report any feedback. Connection with an SME for further testing of the toolkit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/tcc-seminar-innovative-methods-for-designing-circular-c... |
| Description | Seminar series: MC Research Strand: Additive manufacturing as an enabling technology for the industrial digitalisation of the textile/fashion industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Online seminar on the use of additive manufacturing in textiles and a live demonstration of the technologies. In the first part, Prof Bartolo presented on the concept of 3D printing for textile applications, the main techniques, materials, limitations and opportunities, providing several proof-of-concept examples. In the second part, audiences visited the lab virtually for a live demonstration. Attendees become aware and understood how additive manufacturing is being utilised in textile and fashion industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/191650942127 |
| Description | Seminar series: SC Research Strand: Forces and Scenarios for Circular Textile Supply Chains |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The TCC is developing an understanding of the forces influencing future supply chains and the challenges of that circular transformation. We shared the forces and our emerging scenarios as a stimulus for an audience-led discussion. Forces and scenarios for the Circular Supply Chain, provided by participants of the interactive seminar. Contacts were made from various attendees to join in our TCC project as collaborator or observer. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/tcc-seminar-series-forces-scenarios-for-circular-textil... |
| Description | Student project RCA Information Experience Design MA students: Material Visualisation of Recycling for Sustainable Polymer Production - A city-based refinery of biowaste into bacterial cellulose |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Research question: How might we materialise an immersive and participatory city-based biorefinery scenario on the high street in which bacterial cellulose is produced from waste? The project will explore analogue and digital tools, prototypes for the experimental spatial environments, artefacts and demonstrators that enable immersion and participation in material processes and demonstrate novel approaches for a biorefinery scenario at scale. Students developed their projects between April 2022 and October 2022; the winning student group showcased their project at the TCC's Regenerative Fashion Hub from October to November 2022. Outputs and outcomes: Paper in progess to be submitted to the Design Journal with input from the student group. Further impact mapped through the 'Circular Journey' study led by CX in the TCC Regenerative Fashion Hub. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | TCC Seminar Series, seminar 6: Engaging people with material through low cost technology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This seminar presented Prof Nadia Bethouze and Dr Youngjun Cho's work in progress to develop low cost ubiquitous technology to support a textile circular economy based on wellbeing. The first part discussed how the team aims to harness interactive low cost ubiquitous tools to capture garment material properties and behaviour. In the second part the seminar focussed on the team's aim to create technology that engages consumers in embodied experiences of textiles to increase awareness of how they feel. Seminar occurred on the 24th May 2022. Following the seminar, Professor Nadia Berthouze and Professor Youngjun Cho were invited to present at Institute for Design Informatics seminars, University of Edinburgh on 3rd November 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/293310348147 |
| Description | TCC Seminar series, seminar 4: MC Research Strand: Current and future technologies in textile recycling |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This seminar presented current and future technologies used in textile recycling. Dr Alexandra Lanot discussed the current problems with recycling along with some promising new developments in the industry. She presented a totally new approach being developed at the University of York, and explained how York Circular Cellulose approach could revolutionise textile recycling by circumventing the barriers currently holding back the sector, and allow end-of-life garments to be transformed into virgin-quality textiles for the fashion sector. (22 March 2022). Outcomes: Contact with an entrepreneur and with a textile sorting facility.. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/213594606217 |
| Description | TCC Seminar series, seminar 5: Eco-Textiles - Regenerated Cellulose Fibres Manufacturing using an Environmentally Benign Process |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Sameer Rahatekar presented his team's research at Cranfield University which focusses on developing a regenerated cellulose fibre manufacturing process using environmentally benign solvents and natural dyes. Regenerated cellulose fibres will help reduce pollution from the Rayon fibres manufacturing process, while the use of natural dyes will reduce the environmental impact from using toxic synthetic textiles dyes. The regenerated cellulose fibres and use of natural dyes developed in his lab can potentially help address the demand for sustainable fashion products. (26th April 2022). The seminar was attended by 78 people and the TCC continues to grow our online audience at our seminar series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269592547567 |
| Description | TCC annual dissemination: exhibition (in person) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | TCC's annual, public dissemination of its research during London Design Festival to showcase the TCC's ambitions and insights, to broaden the TCC's network of partners and collaborators. The TCC exhibition showcased a range of communication elements including illustrations, films, technical demonstrations, and materials samples. The exhibition took place in the Dyson Gallery, Battersea campus, Royal College of Art, London. The TCC exhibition (in-person) attracted 100 visitors (133 registrations) plus 19 who attended the private view. The TCC exhibition (virtual) attracted 75 registrations, and had 348 views from TCC LinkedIn, 1,623 views from Baurley's LinkedIn, 545 views from Bartolo's LinkedIn (as of Oct 2021). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://programme.londondesignfestival.com/activities/textiles-circularity-centre-annual-showcase |
| Description | TCC annual dissemination: exhibition (online) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TCC's annual, public dissemination of its research during London Design Festival to showcase the TCC's ambitions and insights, to broaden the TCC's network of partners and collaborators. The TCC exhibition showcased a range of communication elements including illustrations, films, technical demonstrations, and materials samples. The exhibition was filmed and published online for audiences who could not attend in person. During London Design Festival, the TCC hosted its first public dissemination of its research, to showcase its ambitions and insights, to broaden its network of partners and collaborators at the Royal College of Art's Battersea campus. The TCC was nine months into its first year, so dissemination in 2021 consisted of a piece of design communication to articulate the vision and ambition of the programme of research and its partnerships. Each research strand (Materials Circularity, Supply Chain, and Consumer Experience) showcased a range of communication elements including illustrations, films, technical demonstrators and materials samples from the universities of York, Manchester, Cranfield, UCL and Cambridge; and showcased items provided by industry partners OWidgets, YNAP, DressX, Ultraleap. The TCC exhibition (in-person) attracted 100 visitors (133 registrations) plus 19 who attended the private view. The TCC exhibition (virtual) attracted 75 registrations, and had 348 views from TCC LinkedIn, 1,623 views from Baurley's LinkedIn, 545 views from Bartolo's LinkedIn (as of Oct 2021). The TCC has broadened its network. We have produced some excellent pieces of communication that communicate the concept and ambition of TCC - these will be used as digital assets for the TCC website, and other online presentations. The TCC has an exhibition format which can be reused and redeployed for future events. Having effective pieces of communication is essential to engage citizens and users in the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/629958161 |
| Description | TCC annual dissemination: symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TCC's annual, public dissemination of its research during London Design Festival to showcase the TCC's ambitions and insights, to broaden the TCC's network of partners and collaborators. The TCC symposium presented the progress, research and insights, and the future ambitions by each of the three Research Strands: Supply Chain, Materials Circularity and Consumer Experience. The TCC symposium was attended by 24 people in-person and 26 people virtually. It will be disseminated online in digestible, bite-sized chunks later in the year to reach a larger audience. The TCC has broadened its network. The TCC has established a set of presentation formats for symposia, so that we can reuse/redeploy at future events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/textiles-circularity-centre-annual-showcase-symposium/ |
| Description | TCC seminar at the Regenerative Fashion Hub: Seaweed Derived Fibres & Textiles for Sustainable Fashion: Opportunities & Challenges by Dr Sameer Rahatekar, University of Cranfield |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Sameer Rahatekar, Materials Circularity Research Strand, Cranfield University, presented our current research efforts to manufacture alginate micro fibres and nano fibres. Students Abimbola Orisawayi and Ishrat Jaman demonstrated electro spinning, and we held a Q&A facilitated by Amy Lightfoot, TCC, RCA. (16 November 2022). It was attended by 20 people. The purpose of this event was to explore Dr Sameer Rahatekar's research thoroughly and introduce an existing audience for the materials circularity strand to the practical application of electrospinning. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/seaweed-derived-fibres-textiles-for-sustainable-fashion-opport... |
| Description | TCC seminar series: Design, Science and Clothes Moths: Novel Approaches to Wool Recycling |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Design, Science and Clothes Moths: Novel Approaches to Wool Recycling seminar (9th February 2023). Chiara Tommencioni Pisapia, RCA, and Bethan Highly, University of York, PhD students affiliated with the TCC presented research on how moths consumption of wool can be utilised for recycling. They received direct feedback and response to their research and enjoyed engagement with the research community in attendance, providing them with opportunity to consider feedback from the guests. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk/february-seminar-novel-approaches-to-wool-recycling/ |
| Description | TCC website launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The TCC launched our project website in October 2022. The website is on online space that provides information about the TCC, promotes our public events and research studies, and will host TCC's resources and outputs. Launched in October 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://textilescircularity.rca.ac.uk |
| Description | Transforming local bio-based waste streams into circular textile and building materials' hosted by the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder - and co-developed and initiated with Dr Miriam Ribul, RCA (MC Strand) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Invitation to join a showcase with the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder as well as further collaboration on potential future showcases, events and PhD funding opportunities. This event considered a range of novel approaches for transforming local waste bioresources into textile and building materials. Hosted by the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder and Dr Miriam Ribul, the Materials Circularity research strand brought together inspiring speakers and included focussed breakout spaces to facilitate connection and discussion. (5th May 2022). Outcomes include: Development of network in Scotland with the Bioeconomy Cluster builder and the Scottish businesses they engage. Speakers included other research initiatives such as Future Fashion Factory and Tate Turner Prize nominees Cooking Sections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | UKRI Sustainable Fashion workshop - landscape mapping ; contribution by Prof Sharon Baurley |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | UKRI hosted a landscape mapping workshop at London College of Fashion amongst academic researchers and policy makers in order to scope a funding plan to help transition fashion and textiles supply chains to economically and environmentally sustainable models. The output is the specification of a UKRI-wide funding programme. (18 May 2022) . Mapping document - maps research activity in sustainable fashion and textiles - leading to specification of funding calls to fill gaps in research. The intention was to identify opportunities and what we can do collectively together to help drive the sector transformation enabling the UK to be the global leader in circular fashion. Attended by BFC, BFTT, CSF, FFF, MMU, RCA, UKFT, Wrap ; Observed by BEIS, DEFRA, DCMS ; and UKRI core Sustainable Fashion group Innovate UK, NERC & AHRC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Women in STEM: Presentation and lab visit to MECD, University of Manchester by Bridgewater School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Evangelos Daskalakis, Postdoctoral Researcher, and Mohamed Hassan, Abdalla Omar, PhD students, University of Manchester presented as part of Women in STEM. 10th year students from Bridgewater School visited MECD and our labs and talk to them about TCC project. They are shown equipment and samples created for the TCC project. The purpose of this event was to encourage Women in STEM subjects - the students reported feeling inspired to study engineering. Occurred on the 10th February 2023. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Workshop: Speeding up the Transition to Closed Loop Synthetic Fibre Recycling by 2030 at University of Cambridge's Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Professor Sharon Baurley and Dr Miriam Ribul were invited to participate in this workshop led by University of Cambridge's Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development (CRSD). Miriam prepared a 'lightning talk' on the theme that outlined the stakeholders represented in the TCC, the expertise, and the top three challenges and enabling conditions or factors concerning the transition to fibre to fibre recycling in the EU textiles market. (28 February 2023). This workshop was organised to help industry experts, EU policy makers and regulators co-create solutions on how to transition away from the use of virgin petroleum and non-closed loop sources in response to the revised EU Waste Framework Directive and the EU Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textiles. Using the Cambridge Policy Boot Camp (CPBC) systems dynamic methodology, workshop participants indetified the key systems levers for change, the (novel) resources available for change, who holds the mandate and power for change and how to anticipate the (unintended) impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dFh6gbLi03ywvk |