Research project
Interactive Waste
Interactive Waste project explores how sustainable the field of interactive textiles are and look to identify methods and practices that can support a sustainable approach for interactive textile making.
Active
July 2022
Funding
Funders
BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants SRG 2021-22 Round
Grant no: SG2122\210731
We know that the field of interactive textiles is valuable, exciting and innovative, however, given the sustainability challenges posed by drawing together two of the largest contributing industries to waste globally – textiles and WEEE (waste electronics and electrical equipment) - it is important that we come together to examine current practice and explore how we might respond to issues of waste, and support more sustainable future making.
This project will be of particular interest to practitioners and researchers in the fields of interactive (or e-) textiles, HCI, creative technology and sustainability.
Join us for workshops this summer 2025 to reflect on and respond to issues of Interactive Waste:
- In person on 6th August 2025 in Edinburgh (venue TBC, but lunch and refreshments provided)
- Online on 25th August 2025
What we will be doing?
In groups, this workshop invites you to share examples of your own interactive textiles (as we will from ours), before:
- ‘deconstructing’ them – if not literally, through sketching - to create ‘recipes’ that reflect the ingredients, method, and potential impact
- ‘remaking’ them from a stock of waste or reclaimed prototyping materials within the workshop to produce alternative and sustainable recipes for making future interactive textiles.
By the close of the workshop, we hope to have brought together an active community aimed at countering waste within practice and to have created space for rich discussion, reflection, and future action.
Interactive Waste is a half day workshop. The event is free, but we kindly request that participants bring examples of their own e- or interactive textile work(s) as a basis for reflection and discussion on the ‘ingredients’ and impact of interactive textiles. Other materials will be provided.
To get involved, please email Sara on [email protected]
Project Team
Dr Sara Nevay (DJCAD, University of Dundee)
Dr Sara Nevay (she/her) is a design educator, researcher and designer based in Product Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee. Sara has a background in soft products, textiles, and e-textiles as well as service and participatory design across both academic and commercial contexts. Sara’s research focuses on co-creating soft technologies and tactile-digital artefacts to support health and wellbeing.
Dr Chris Lim (DJCAD, University of Dundee)
Dr Chris Lim (he/him) is a Senior Lecturer teaching across product design, inclusive design (which includes human-centred design) and interaction design subjects at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD). Chris’s research interests are in the area of Inclusive Design, Co-Design practice and Design for Healthcare and Wellbeing. He is interested in the design of inclusive products and environments, and the practice of design and craft to support wellbeing. He is also interested in the role design plays in climate action in relation to health.
External Team member
Dr Lucy Robertson (School of Textiles and Design, Heriot-Watt University)
Dr Lucy Robertson (she/her) is an Assistant Professor based in the School of Textiles and Design, Heriot Watt University, with a background in textile design, marketing and entrepreneurship. Lucy’s research explores the facilitation of creative workshops for wellbeing, which utilise waste materials to understand how waste can be used as a resource to create and repair products. Through her research she explores how communities can connect through shared learning, making and exhibiting work.