Circular Chains in the Fashion Industry PhD

Within clothes manufacturing, the transition to circularity requires changing business practices and the ability to understand and reconfigure business models, operating systems, supply chains, and market structures. This PhD project focuses on designing a sustainable business or turning an existing business more sustainable by implementing circular practices incurs a range of holistic implications.

As the global economy expands and living standards rise, raw material consumption is set to almost double by 2060 if we don’t significantly change how resources are managed. The fashion industry uses around 60% of the total global textiles and contributes to around 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of water waste. In fact, globally the fashion industry is the second-highest industry in terms of water consumption and water pollution. Moreover, only 1% of the materials used in the production process of clothes are recycled back even though around 95% could be recycled. The industry is built on the concept of change mainly due to the ‘fast-fashion’ phenomenon which adds excessive pressure on the environment. An alternative to the current system is the Circular Economy (CE), where value is maintained for as long as possible, clothing is designed to last, and the generation of waste is minimized. The concept of CE is characterised as an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value.

The research aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in UK fashion industry.

Cranfield is an exclusively postgraduate university that is a global leader for transformational research and education in technology and management. Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF) has recognised 88% of Cranfield’s research as world-leading or internationally excellent in its quality. Every year Cranfield graduates the highest number of postgraduates in engineering and technology in the UK (Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency Ltd). Cranfield Manufacturing is one of eight major themes at Cranfield University. The manufacturing capability is world-leading and combines a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates design, technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of manufacturing research.

The Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre (SMSC) is a world-leading centre focusing in transforming manufacturing for a low carbon economy. We are creating new models of best practice to help businesses think green, smart and (c)lean. We apply fundamental science and thought leadership on the technological, economic and social context to identify ways forward for commercial success and sustainability.

CE resembles the concept of sustainable development and is directly aligned with the 12th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations: Responsible Consumption & Production. It is a concept that has low environmental impacts and makes good use of natural resources, through high resource efficiency and waste prevention especially in the manufacturing sector, and minimal end-of-life disposal of materials, which applied by fashion businesses will help reduce their consumption of resources used in production.

At a glance

• Application deadline31 Jul 2024
• Award type(s)PhD
• Start date30 Sep 2024
• Duration of award3 years
• EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
• Reference numberSATM486

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline (e.g. industrial engineering, supply chain, operations, modelling & simulation, and manufacturing).

A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 6.5).

Also, the candidate is expected to:

• Have excellent analytical, reporting and communication skills.
• Be self-motivated, independent and team player.
• Be genuine enthusiasm for the subject and technology.
• Have the willing to publish research findings in international journals.

Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield 

At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing. We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum.

Funding
This is a self-funded project, any interested applicants or any potential sponsor (local government or industry) will need to provide their own financial support in relation to tuition fees, research support fees and living expenses.
About the sponsor
Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network.  This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact: 

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.