Conferences and Symposia team member
During her long career in higher education and ground-breaking international textile research, Lesley has organised many international exhibitions, conferences and symposia.
"My role as a weaver, curator and academic has been to find ways in which contemporary textile practice is placed at the centre of current art and craft discourse, and I would like to offer this experience to the Textile Society."
Publicity team member
connections@textilesociety.org.uk
Jessica is fluent in English, French, Mandarin and Malay, while also learning to speak Dutch and Norwegian. Having recently graduated with a degree in Languages and Interculturalism in France, Jessica has also worked as a Marketing Communications Manager and as a Coordinator of Events.
"My expertise in languages has helped me to understand culture in different countries, especially Asia and Europe. Following an eight-week internship programme with the Textile Society, I hope to use my experience to support future communication and help grow the Textile Society on an international platform."
Publications team member
Roselind has worked across a range of disciplines that engage with the traditional and digital in textile practice. Rose has experience as a Co-editor, Editorial Advisory Board Member and Reviewer for the range of publications she works on.
"I have a background in knitwear design and colour, and a passion for all things textiles. In recent years much of my work has focused on how the voices of those marginalised in textiles can be brought to the fore, with co-creation and co-collaboration at the forefront of my work. What is key for me is the lens through which to look at diverse voices in the space of textiles and design."
Student Representative
students@textilesociety.org.uk
Having recently graduated with a BA Honours First Class degree in Textile Design, Lara has previous experience as a student representative and ambassador for her university’s textile course. Following her graduation Lara was awarded the 2022 Clothworker’s Award at Cockpit Studios where her current weaving practice is now based.
"I was awarded a Textile Society student bursary in 2022 which supported my final project. Consequently, I recognise the role of the Society in supporting students in the broad field of textile study and their subsequent professional development."
Acting Secretary
secretary@textilesociety.org.uk
As an experienced project manager, heritage researcher and museum curator with a background in community engagement, Frances is interested in historical textile narratives relevant to both academic and public audiences.
"In my commitment to volunteer management, I have contributed to charity governance, organisation, administration and communication with members."
Co-Vice Chair and Museum Award
conservation@textilesociety.org.uk
Leanne is a researcher and lecturer in Sustainable Fashion, and Textile Design and Conservation Practice. With over 25 years’ professional experience in textiles and fashion manufacture and conservation, including 10 years as a fashion designer, she has experience in supporting and evaluating the benefits of membership to the Textile Society.
"My professional experiences have led to my current research investigating people-centred approaches to fashion archives, acknowledging the values of sustainable design practice, and connecting uses and users of historical collections - all aspects that align with the aims of the Textile Society."
Professional Development Award
pda@textilesociety.org.uk
Jennifer has experience as a Senior Lecturer in higher education and as an External Examiner. She works as an Associate Lecturer on BA and MA textile courses while continuing her own practice and exhibiting internationally. Jennifer has made a number of successful applications for practice-based research which have given her insight into the preparation, framing and articulation of research proposals.
"In 2019 I received the Textile Society’s Professional Development Award for a jacquard weave residency. I appreciated the tremendous value of how such an award provides a stimulus to creativity and imagination and enables professional practice and research to expand."
Co-Vice Chair and Student Bursaries Lead
events@textilesociety.org.uk
Joanne’s career has progressed from academia to practice-based research as a maker-historian. She has been on the judging panel for the Textile Society Student Bursary Award Scheme for several years, recently taking over as Lead Judge.
“This wonderful experience has led to my interest in the role of Co-Vice Chair and to support the ongoing work of the Textile Society and its dynamic members, and to encourage the study of textiles in its broadest context. As a Professional Development Award recipient, I am very motivated to give back to the Society and support others in the same generous way that has been given to me..”
Acting Membership Representative
hub@textilesociety.org.uk
Having worked in the British textile industry designing floor rugs, suitings, furnishings and luxury accessories, Jennifer's current practice experiments with weave structure and yarns - pushing the boundaries and questioning the nature of cloth and its potential.
"I have been engaged with textiles all my life. My mother was of the make-do and mend generation, so I grew up in an atmosphere of repurposing cloth and yarns, and was taught to sew, knit, crochet, embroider and mend."
Events team member
Jane is a practising artist specialising in textiles and paper. Her work has taken her to Japan through residencies and international exhibition. Now her time is primarily dedicated to teaching Art and Textiles in secondary and further education while researching and developing her practice.
