Research

Drawing the threads together

Published 17 October 2011

A major new reference work on textiles edited by an academic, formerly at the University of Brighton’s Faculty of Arts is shortly due for publication.

Dr Catherine Harper, who until recently, was head of Architecture and Design within the Faculty of Arts, draws together 80 seminal essays in a four-volume book titled 'Textiles: Critical and Primary Sources'.

It comprises 110 selected texts assembled into four thematic collections dealing with history and curation; production and sustainability; science and technology; and identity, each supported by an introductory editorial essay serving to critique and supplement each textual collection and theme.

Those contributing texts to the book include Dr Joan Farrer, leader of research across the Fashion and Textiles programmes, and Professor Lou Taylor who teaches on Fashion and Dress History BA(Hons). The work is scheduled to be published in the New Year.

Dr Harper, who has left the university to become Dean of the School of Arts and Digital Industries at the University of East London, said: "The University of Brighton's support for research is very impressive, and I was able to keep progressing that aspect of my career, most especially through the award of a research sabbatical during which I completed the work for Berg Publishers."