My PhD Reactive and Proactive materials in the Anthropocene revolves around regenerative materials and textiles and the role of wool in the wider context of EU legislation and wool being classified as waste in Europe and beyond. Explored through interdisciplinary and speculative methodologies, the PhD addresses shifting boundaries and dichotomies of natural and synthetic materials and notions of regenerative durability and persistence through time. Material agency and speculative material approaches are prominent to the artistic research – investigating materials, textiles and garments as thinking material systems and alternative approaches to clothing production and making – foregrounding the perishable and biodegradable qualities of natural fibres as prominent features and capabilities. Material persistence through time (endurance, perdurance and exdurance) is used as a framework for exploring current and future understandings of the notion of sustainability as regenerative durability.

The PhD also participates in the Horizon Europe project PACESETTERS within a case study called Investigations into Circular Aesthetics of New Materials in Artificial Biology Systems. I will soon participate in the Strategic Topic Group Fashion: Sustainable High Impact Innovations for Fashion and Textiles (SHIFT)within EIT Culture and Creativity.