Showcasing the next generation of fashion and textiles researchers driving innovation, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary thinking.

We were proud to host the Fashion and Textiles Courses Association (FTC) Postgraduate Research Symposium, a long-standing event celebrating the vibrant diversity of postgraduate research across fashion and textiles disciplines in the UK.

Now in its third decade, the symposium was originally initiated by the late Marlene Little, a much-respected figure in fashion education. This year, the FTC honoured her legacy by announcing a new scholarship in her name. This year’s recipient will receive funding to attend the FTC Futurescan 6 conference at De Montfort University in September 2025. 

This year’s symposium brought together 19 postgraduate researchers from 10 universities across the UK. Their presentations showcased diverse topics, spanning practice-based design research, ethnography, material science, digital innovation, and cultural studies. 

These presentations reflected not only the rigor of contemporary fashion and textiles research, but also the power of interdisciplinary thinking to address urgent global, social, and environmental challenges. As Jo Jenkinson, Reader and Deputy Head at Manchester Fashion Institute, reflected: 

“The event showcased the fantastic breadth of fashion and textiles research taking place across the sector, and within Manchester Metropolitan University. We are extremely proud of our four students; Medha, Sophie, Ruth and Blanche, who presented their research with such professionalism and impact, powerfully representing the Manchester Fashion Institute and our Fashion Narratives, Sustainable Approaches in Fashion Entrepreneurship (SAFE) Futures, and Fashion Technologies research groups.” 

For many of the presenters, the day was both an opportunity to share their research and to connect with like-minded researchers from across the country. As Medha Priya, whose work explores Caste and Clothing in India: Understanding Discrimination through Dress, shared, “It was a fantastic experience for me. I met people with similar interests and, more importantly, learned a great deal. I’m grateful to Manchester Metropolitan University for organising such a valuable event and giving me the opportunity to take part.” 
 

The event reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces for emerging researchers to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge and we are honored to have had the opportunity to host such an inspiring gathering.