Design for Durability: Developing a Design Framework to Improve Clothing Longevity

This is a fully funded PhD programme with the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC). The funding covers full UK tuition fees, a maintenance stipend matching UKRI rates (GBP 19,237 in 2024/25), and an additional GBP 10,000 stipend to cover personal development and consumables. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join the PGR community in the School of Design and access training and support for their specialism. <br /> <br /> The fashion industry has a huge impact on the environment, contributing 10% of global GHG emissions, the consumption of vast quantities of freshwater and it is associated with an estimated 92 million tonnes of garment waste. These impacts are amplified by the current fast fashion model, where product development processes focus on fashionability rather than quality and durability. However, product durability is a key component of circular economy models such as garment re-use and leasing.

<p>The aim of this project is to improve the sustainability of the fashion industry by exploring and applying the findings from the Waste & Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP) and <a href="https://www.wrap.ngo/taking-action/textiles/actions/litac-durability-research-project">LITAC Durability Research Project</a> to develop a design framework to improve garment durability and facilitate circularity models. The project continues the highly successful research at the School of Design and our well-established collaboration with WRAP and the Textiles 2030 initiative, as well as our strong links with the UK textiles and fashion industry. </p> <p>It has been recognised that poor garment durability leads to shorter product lifespans and premature obsolescence. In turn, this increases garment waste and drives demand for the manufacture of new products; intensifying the environmental impacts of the industry. Improving garment durability to extend utilisation and lifetimes is considered by many organisations, including the UNEP, UK Government, and the EU as a vital tool to reduce the industry’s environmental impacts. </p> <p>This project will build on current research to explore how garment durability can be significantly improved, so lifespans can be extended, and waste is reduced. In the project you will collaborate with UK fashion brands such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco (F&F) and New Look, to develop a design for durability framework to guide product developers to consider clothing wear, care and repair systemically when bringing products to the market. The project aligns with the UK Government strategy for textile waste reduction, the Textiles 2030 strategy for UK fashion, and the EU eco-design directives, including the Product Environmental Performance (PEF) agenda. As such it is expected that the project outputs will contribute to the thinking of these and other initiatives. </p> <p><strong>Industrial Collaborations</strong></p> <p>The successful applicant will join the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-institute-textiles-colour">Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC)</a> a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes. Technology-driven sustainable development is a major part of our work, hosted by the <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design">School of Design</a> at the University of Leeds. </p> <p>The <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design">School of Design</a> is a world leading research centre with a focus in creativity and developing innovative materials and manufacturing solutions with interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners. We have a strong industrial collaboration with UK and international fashion and textiles enterprises. These industrial collaborators will work closely with the PhD student. </p> <p>In addition, the PhD project is supported by WRAP’s Textile 2030 initiative (<a href="https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/textiles/initiatives/textiles-2030">Textiles2030</a>) with collaboration from Marks and Spencer, Tesco (F&F), New Look and other UK Based fashion brands. The supervisory team have strong links with a wide range of external organisations across the textile and clothing sectors and have an excellent track record for working in collaboration with others to deliver high quality impactful research (e.g. <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-working-business/news/article/5346/why-price-does-not-indicate-how-long-clothes-will-last">Price V Durability</a> and <a href="https://www.wrap.ngo/taking-action/textiles/actions/litac-durability-research-project">LITAC Durability Research Project)</a></p>

<p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full-time (3 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Fees at the UK tuition fee rate</li> <li>Maintenance (£19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.</li> <li>Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc</a>) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="https://studentservices.leeds.ac.uk/pls/banprod/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is “Design for durability: Developing a design framework to improve clothing longevity” with Dr Mark Taylor and Dr Eleanor Scott as your proposed supervisors. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design-research-degrees/doc/apply-9">eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Studentship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study. Please note that <strong>you will not need to submit a Research Proposal</strong> as part of your application for this project. In place of a Research Proposal please can you submit a statement which conveys your motivation and enthusiasm for the project as outlined in the Scholarship advert. See stage 2 below.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2. </p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <p>Apply for the LITAC Project Title Design for Durability: Developing a Design Framework to Improve Clothing Longevity’ by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/litac-scholarship-design-for-durability">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>17:00 (UK Time) on 2^nd December 2024.</strong></p> <p>The scholarship application includes the supporting statement referenced in Stage 1. This statement should demonstrate your suitability for your intended PhD Project and not be longer than two pages. The statement should specifically include details on your interest in the project and why you have chosen to apply for this in particular. The statement should also include how you will apply your current skills, knowledge and experience to undertake the PhD and the approach you would take to develop the project.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants should have at least a first class or an upper second-class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in a textiles or fashion related field. We welcome applicants who have textile, fashion or clothing industrial experience. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for this research degree course are advised to contact Dr Mark Taylor (main supervisor) prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>For further information please contact the PGR Admissions Office on ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk.</p>