Programme Director of International Pathway
Hannah Hansell leads our International Pathway courses at UCA Epsom as part of the newly formed academic school, UCAIC. Hannah brings her expertise in international education and textile futures in the context of biodesign.
Bio
Hannah graduated from Goldsmiths College and Brighton University specialising in textiles and sustainable design. After graduating from Goldsmiths, she exhibited nationally and internationally through group and solo shows and worked with a range of small to medium size businesses, design companies, artists, crafts organisations, and arts consultants. Her MA thesis at Brighton developed her current research practice focused on the socio-cultural and moral impacts of biotechnology in the fashion and textile industry and future of textile production in the context of Biodesign.
Hannah has over 14 years teaching experience at further education and degree level. She has also worked with young offenders, in pupil referral units and at specialist schools through the arts council, small design studios, arts award and craftspeople. Focusing on international education for the last 10 years, she has taught and developed courses in the UK, China, Japan, and South Korea.
For more information please see Hannah's website: www.hwestwood.com
Research statement
Hannah is an artist and researcher, interested in the socio-cultural and moral impacts of biotechnology in the fashion and textile industry and future of textile production in the context of Biodesign. Her research explores how to engage a range of ‘publics’ and introduce socio-cultural perspectives into an emerging ‘bioeconomy’ currently determined by a small number of industry professionals. To discuss how we could shift from taking from nature, to learning with nature and fabricate materials and products in non-detrimental ways. Moving towards more regenerative and restorative mindsets by adopting living systems approaches to design and production to have a positive impact on our climate and biosphere. Her research aims to suggest possible solutions, methodologies and questions that still need to be answered in this evolving field.
Research interests
Biodesign, Living Systems, Biofabrication, Textile Futures, Regenerative Design and Material Culture.
Professional Membership, Affiliation and Consultancy
- Birmingham City University – Consultancy for Graduate Diploma Programme
- 2016 – Creative Residency Project Funding (2016) University for the Creative Arts
- 2005 – Arts and Humanities Research Council Award (2005) Goldsmiths, University of London
- 2002 – Bradford Textile Society, Commendation, Innovative Printed Textiles Award (2002)