One year enterprise-led funded Masters by Research, Ref. No. LU-138

Details:

• Get paid £16,000 tax-free
• Have your tuition fees reduced. Your partner company pays £2,200 towards your fees, meaning students eligible for home fees pay only £2,300. International students will need to pay the remaining £20,050.
• Be part of the multi award winning Centre for Global Eco-Innovation within a cohort of talented graduates working on exciting business-led R&D.
• The Centre is based at Lancaster University, so you will gain your Masters from a Top Ten University, recognised as The Sunday Times University of the Year 2018 and International University of the Year 2020.
• Finish in a strong position to enter a competitive job market in the UK and overseas or progress on to further study.

Start: October 2021

Deadline: Midnight Wednesday 28th July 2021

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is subject to funding confirmation.

The Challenge

Pre-industrial textile and clothing production was sustainable, natural and local. Industrialisation in the 19th century created many economic and social changes that shaped the North West (NW) of England, which was at the forefront of this industry. However further changes in the late 20th century saw a huge increase in consumption and a switch to petrochemical based fibres which has led to the industry becoming amongst the world’s most polluting. Its search for ever cheaper labour leaves a trail of social and economic deprivation, including in the NW where over 600,000 jobs have been lost in the past 50 years.

This project will work with Community Clothing and the HomeGrown/HomeSpun initiative in Lancashire to explore whether a regenerative local textile system, built on environmentally positive principles, might bring social, environmental and economic benefit to the NW region, and determine whether such a system can be run on an economically sustainable commercial basis.

Applicants should have a 2:1 or 1st class degree in a relevant area of business/management or geography. The candidate should be able to demonstrate competence in handling both qualitative and quantitative data, and should be a good communicator. An understanding of supply chains and sustainability, particularly with regards to fashion and textiles, is also desirable.

Enterprise and collaborative partners

This project will be supervised by Professor Jess Davies – Professor of Sustainability, Lancaster University, and Professor Mark Stevenson, Professor of Operations Management, Lancaster University Management School. This project is supported by several stakeholders; Homegrown, Homespun is a collaboration with designer Patrick Grant, his social enterprise Community Clothing, The Super Slow Way and North West England Fibreshed. The group is very grateful to the Society of Dyers and Colourists who have provided the grant for the tuition fees.

Community Clothing (www.communityclothing.co.uk) is a social enterprise based in Blackburn, Lancashire. They have a goal to sell great quality affordable clothing, and at the same time, create jobs and help restore economic prosperity in some of the UK’s most deprived areas. Every garment that bears their name is made from sustainable natural materials. The garments are made in the UK in one of 28 partner factories, all meeting the highest ethical standards. Their clothing is designed for everyday utility and with longevity in mind.