The Glasgow School of Art

Dr Helena Britt, Fashion & Textiles (F&T) lecturer, responsibilities include teaching, research and coordination. Research interests for supervisory responsibilities cover:
∞ Historical textiles, archives and collections; utilisation of archival resources;
∞ Printed textiles, creative processes; practice focused methodologies; impact of digital technologies;
∞ Design education; research, practice, scholarship and teaching linkages; industry and education connections.

Research Projects

The Cloth: Exploring Creative Collaboration and Interdisciplinarity, 1977-87
Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship exploring creativity, collaboration and interdisciplinarity surrounding the pioneering 1980s creative collective, The Cloth. Formed by Brian Bolger, David Band, Helen Manning and Fraser Taylor for their Royal College of Art graduate show in 1983, The Cloth went against industry practice and were an instant success. Central to the project is a collection held by GSA’s Archives & Collections, donated by Taylor. The Textile Society funding enabled cataloguing, digitisation and initial investigation surrounding this collection.

Pioneers of Post-War Pattern
Collaboration with Centre for Advanced Textiles and GSA Archives & Collections (A&C) to uncover the work of post-World War female pattern designers represented in GSA’s archives through historical enquiry and practice-led investigation; resulted in exhibition pop-ups ‘Pattern Pioneers’ and ‘Pioneers of Post-War Pattern’.

The Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show, 1947-2017
F&T, A&C and Alumni Relations collaboration to celebrate the GSA Fashion Show 70th anniversary. Involvement was as research curator; outcomes included exhibition (Incorporation of Skinners & Glovers funded), journal article and conference contribution.

Interwoven Connections: The Stoddard Templeton Design Studio and Design Library, 1843-2005
Principal investigator for project funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Design History Society, supported by Duncan Chappell (GSA Library). Findings from historical investigation, archival enquiry and oral histories increased understanding of carpet design in Scotland, by examining the workings of the Stoddard Templeton design studio and in particular utilisation of the design library. Outcomes included exhibition, publication, film, lecture, talks, workshops, article, conference paper and presentations.

Awaken: New Textiles Inspired by the Archives of The Glasgow School of Art
Led by Jimmy Stephen-Cran, (HoD F&T, GSA) this project, examined the interpretation of archive material for contemporary design and explicated examples of creative process. Collaboration with Elaine Bremner (Lecturer, GSA), resulted in textile collection, exhibition, publication, contribution with Elaine Bremner (Lecturer, GSA) journal article, conference paper and presentations.

Practising to Teach: An Investigation Into The Role Of The Designer Educator In The Development Of Digitally Created And Digitally Printed Textiles
Doctoral research centred on textiles higher education. Using self-case study, survey and case studies, the thesis argued that, for textile designer educators, working in an increasingly digital age, undertaking creative practice is of critical importance, due to significant benefits of engagement in this activity. Outputs included journal articles (2013, 2012) and conference papers (2013, 2012).

Networks, Editorial Boards and Reviewing:
• Chair, Association of Fashion & Textile Courses (FTC);
• Conference Chair, Futurescan 4: Valuing Practice, Futurescan 3: Intersecting Identities;
• Co-editor, Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice;
• Arts and Humanities Research Council Peer Review College member;
• Reviewer, Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, D_TEX.

Supervision and Examining:
• Co-supervisor with Dr Sally Tuckett and Dr Sabine Wieber (University of Glasgow) for PhD candidate Jonathan Clever, ‘The design of machine-made carpets & technical innovation in the Stoddard Templeton archives’;
• External examining includes doctoral, masters and undergraduate levels.

Follow Helena on Twitter @Brittish_Design
On Instagram: @helena__britt
@thecloth80s