Output details

Examining the Textile Design Creative Practice Research-Teaching Nexus

The creation of this output was directed by the following research questions: • How do textile designer educators approach their research and or creative practice? • How does textile designer educator research and creative practice inform teaching? • How does teaching inform designer educator research and creative practice? The methodology used included a self-case study into the author’s evolving role as a designer and educator, a UK wide survey of educators employed in the HE textiles sector and seven case studies with designers educators. In the UK, responding to changes in HE policy, while potentially of long-term benefit, increases pressure placed upon educators operating in the system. Emphasis on research requires educators to engage in activity and produce outputs for submission to assessment exercises. Approaches to research that utilise professional and or creative practice are adopted and formulated. Variation in opinion exists regarding the similarities and differences between research and creative practice. The positive impact that educator research and creative practice bring to the educational environment is recognised. Textile design exists on the periphery of design research discourse, minimal literature exists regarding connections between textile design research, creative practice and teaching. This paper contributes to understanding of textile educator approaches to research and creative practice and provides insight into the creative practice, research-teaching nexus. This paper has been double-blind peer-reviewed. Conference organisers are Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Design Research Society and CUMULUS. This output disseminates part of a research project, the intention of which was to examine the role of the textile designer educator in the UK HE system. This research has resulted in papers published in the Research Journal of Textile and Apparel (RJTA) and presented at The Art of Research Conference 2012, Helsinki.