Elena Etheridge
Senior Lecturer, Fashion
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in Fashion working across programmes in Manchester Fashion Institute. My work focuses on student engagement, inclusive curriculum design, and supporting students to develop the skills, behaviours and confidence required for academic progression and graduate employment.
I joined Manchester Metropolitan University in 2004, teaching on the BA (Hons) Fashion course where I specialised in pattern cutting, garment construction and fashion design, teaching across Levels 4–6. I left the University in 2010 and later returned to the Fashion department in a department‑wide student experience and student support role, working across fashion programmes to improve student engagement, progression and success. This role enabled me to develop a strong understanding of institutional structures, student data, and the wider student experience.
Since returning to an academic role, I have taught across undergraduate and postgraduate provision, including fashion product innovation, employability‑focused curricula and professional practice. I also supervise undergraduate and Master’s students on final projects.
I am currently the Senior Personal Tutor for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, working at faculty level to support inclusive personal tutoring practice, student engagement and continuation across disciplines.
Between 2022 and 2026, I was Senior Personal Tutor for Manchester Fashion Institute, leading the department’s personal tutoring framework and supporting colleagues to improve student engagement, continuation and progression.
From 2017 to 2022, I led the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship in Fashion, developing and co-ordinating course delivery, leading teaching teams and working closely with employers, workplace mentors and skills coaches.
External Activity and Esteem
I am a UKAT Recognised Senior Advisor, a professional recognition awarded for sustained impact, leadership and expertise in advising and personal tutoring within higher education. I actively contribute to national professional communities focused on advising, tutoring and student engagement.
I am currently the external examiner for the Packaging professional degree apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam University. I have been an External Examiner for apprenticeship provision since 2021, working with employers, attending progress reviews and exam boards, and contributing to quality enhancement in apprenticeship education.
I am also a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI)
I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in HE (PGCert LTHE)
Pattern making for new fabric joining technologies
Practice from MA research
2019 International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes Conference Exhibit
Weave sound
Collaboration with weaver Victoria Haire
Artist's statement
Human skin is autobiographical: it is our personal identity card, carrying the traces and memories of our lives. The textiles created in this project are informed by the nature of exzematous skin, its sensitive 3D surface and the patterns created from this three-dimensionality. They emit the sounds of the textiles themselves being touched in real time, the sounds evidencing the materiality of the cloth. Some of the textiles have been made into a garment that is constructed from loom-width fabric, in order to respect the skill of the weaver and to reduce waste.
My design process
From the starting point of the dimensions of the existing woven cloth widths, I designed a piece to utilise all the cloth and engineered the pattern to ensure that no fabric waste was created in its construction.
Research
Current research and scholarly activity
My current scholarly work focuses on student engagement, personal tutoring and the hidden curriculum of higher education. I am particularly interested in how making expectations explicit, using data ethically and meaningfully, and embedding inclusive advising practices can improve student continuation, belonging and progression.
I regularly disseminate this work through the UK Advising and Tutoring Association (UKAT) and hold UKAT Recognised Senior Advisor (RSA) status, reflecting sustained impact and sector‑level engagement in advising and tutoring practice.
Recent scholarly activity includes national conference presentations and workshops on:
- best practice in senior personal tutoring
- attendance, engagement and the use of student data
- supporting student futures through inclusive, transparent academic practices
-
building communities of practice for senior tutors
From 2024–2026, I have presented this work at multiple UKAT Annual Conferences, including workshops, lightning talks and full sessions. My most recent presentations (UKAT 2026) shared new work on:
- harnessing engagement data for ethical and effective intervention
- supporting student futures in the context of changing demographics
- sharing good practice and strengthening senior tutor networks across institutions
This work draws directly on my experience as Senior Personal Tutor, my earlier department‑wide student support role, and my broader teaching and leadership practice within fashion education.
Previous research
I hold a Master’s by Research in Art & Design, which explored the use of non‑sewn fabric joining technologies, such as welding and bonding, in fashion garment design and construction. This practice‑based research examined how pattern‑making approaches could be adapted to respond to the technical capabilities and constraints of these joining methods.
The research demonstrated how welded and bonded constructions can offer new design possibilities, simplify traditional cut‑and‑sew processes, and create potential manufacturing efficiencies. It highlighted the importance of a holistic design approach that integrates material behaviour, construction technology and pattern development throughout the design process.
Exhibitions
Haire, V., 2019. Weave Sound, IFFTI : International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes 2019, 8/4/2019 - 12/4/2019.
Conference Papers
Etheridge, E., 2016. 'Pattern making for new fabric joining technologies'.
Presentations
Etheridge, E., Clough, J., Shabbir, N., Gabi, J., Hidalgo-Bastida, A., McCormick, H., 2026. 'Harnessing Data for Change: Turning Insights into Action for Student Success', Manchester Metropolitan University.
Etheridge, E., Costin, L., Barron, S., 2026. 'Supporting Student Futures: Responding to Changing Demographics in Higher Education', Manchester Metropolitan University.
Etheridge, E., Nelson, L., 2026. 'Senior Tutors in Action: Sharing Good Practice and Creating Supportive Communities', Manchester Metropolitan University.
Etheridge, E., List, H., Nelson, L., Barry, S., 2025. 'Best Practices in Senior Personal Tutoring: Sharing and Collaborating for Student Success', University College London.
McCormick, H., Etheridge, E., 2025. 'The Elephant in the Room – Attendance: The Empty space', University College London.
Etheridge, E., 2024. 'Challenges and good practice in staff training for implementation of a personal tutoring system at scale.', University of Greenwich.
Etheridge, E., 2016. 'Pattern cutting for new fabric joining technologies', University of Huddersfield.
Theses and Dissertations
Etheridge, E., 2018. 'Pattern making for new fabric joining technologies'.
Office Location
Room C2.25
Cavendish South
Manchester Fashion Institute
Manchester Metropolitan University
Cavendish Street
Manchester M15 6BG