Institute of Design Innovation PhD student presents research at International Circular Economy Conference

Doctoral researcher, Talia Hussain, has recently been involved in the Inaugural Conference of the International Society for the Circular Economy which took place in July.

Talia’s research explores the future of retail as an interface between production and consumption in the circular economy. Her research employs critical and speculative design methods to interrogate proposals for circular economy business models, falsify assumptions and illuminate pathways to a sustainable production-consumption system.

Since undertaking her research, Talia has published her paper,Re-fashioning the garment industry: Exploring innovations for a circular economywhich she presented at the Inaugural Conference of the International Society for the Circular Economy.

The Inaugural Conference of the International Society for the Circular Economy aims to bring a new approach to the key concepts of circular economy and sustainability by combining the disciplines of economy, engineering, environment, management, technology and society.

With over 20 years of experience working as a designer across multiple disciplines including digital products, sustainable fashion and print communications, Talia’s research draws on her knowledge and expertise in the retail industry in the context of the circular economy.

Dr Ksenija Kuzmina, one of Talia’s PhD supervisors and Lecturer within the Institute for Design Innovation said “[Talia’s] work on retail, consumption and cultural theory, is really innovative to what is currently happening in Circular Economy research.”

Talia Hussain is a doctoral researcher within the Institute for Design Innovation at Loughborough University London and received a Techne scholarship to fund her PhD research.

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

Specialising exclusively in postgraduate-level study, Loughborough University London is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers cutting-edge master’s and PhD degrees, as well as business collaboration, research and enterprise opportunities.

The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.