Textiles and Sustainable New Technology as a form of protection and shelter in natural disaster and conflict settings: A Design Response
This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: Textiles and Sustainable New Technology as a form of protection and shelter in natural disaster and conflict settings: A Design Response.
We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.
Project brief details
The need for appropriate protective textiles, clothing, shelter and survival kits in natural disaster or conflict settings requires constant re-evaluation, prototype development and testing. This sustainable design research project is situated in relation to environmental disaster relief or in relation to conflict emergency to support local populations, displaced and vulnerable refugees.
The objectives are to identify a particular context and to apply sustainable design practice to develop innovative, viable materials and prototypes for short-, mid-term deployment; textiles, clothing and shelter being research areas of focus. Key considerations; weather and climate, safety and security, health and well-being as well as social and cultural factors.
The project will out of necessity align with required agency requirements operating in the field, for example in the case of displaced refugees the UNHCR. It may also resonate with UNIDO initiatives. It will connect with other types of government and non-governmental organisations as and when relevant.
Design theory and practice in combination with humanities and science related disaster, crisis and conflict studies, as well as business and market studies are seen as essential methodological sources. Building resilience, action-orientated strategies, prototypes and market readiness are seen as solutions.
Research with relevance to the African continent is of particular interest.
Strategic alignment
Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following department.
| Department | Fashion & Textiles Institute & School of Architecture, Design & Interiors |
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All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.
Project brief lead
Project supervisor: Dr Simon A. Clarke
Dr Clarke has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in printed textiles. His Doctor of Philosophy titled: Motif, Pattern, Colour and Text in Contemporary Kanga Cloth: An Analysis and Personal Response, Birmingham City University involved anthropological research and creative practice driven by fieldwork in Kenya, Tanzania and on Zanzibar. This was supported by a grant from the British Institute in Eastern Africa. His ongoing research and creative practice is inter, multi and trans-disciplinary and can be situated in relation to printed textiles, photography, digital and African arts.
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Enquiries
Project brief & project proposal enquiries
To discuss this project brief, ideas or project proposal responding to this brief, please contact: Dr Simon A Clarke.
Application enquiries
For all other application related enquires please contact the Research & Development team.
T: 01326 255831
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