Emma Waight
Emma Waight is an MPhil student currently looking at sustainable textiles. Her research topic is “How retailers can communicate social and environmental impacts of producing a cotton t-shirt to customers at the point of sale.” She is looking at the sustainability issues up to the point of sale and how retailers are currently communicating those issues. For example if you want to buy a t-shirt in a shop, what information is available to you?
How do you find studying at Southampton Solent University?
“It’s really good. I enjoyed my undergraduate degree here, progressing onto research I feel more like a member
of staff than a student and I have been really lucky. I have really good supervisors and regular contact with them. I get a lot of support and everyone is really approachable, and I have all the facilities I need.
I have been supported to attend conferences. Everyone is really enthusiastic about helping you to succeed. The library has a good range of art and design books and I found all the online resources really useful.”
What do you find particularly rewarding when studying?
“One of the most rewarding things was that one of my contacts made during my research has been liaising with the University. This has led to a further funded project on carbon foot prints, which I am going to be working on. I also found it rewarding being able to attend conferences and events and meeting like-minded people.”
How do you think your research will help you in your career?
"I have become much more aware of the sustainability issues in fashion. I don’t want to go and work in mainstream fashion any longer as I previously thought I would. It has also given me a chance to make lots of contacts both in the University and outside. The whole process of doing research is really rewarding, it’s a great chance to work independently on something.
I also leave now with two extra qualifications because I will have my MPhil and Postgraduate Certificate in Research."
What outputs/ publications have you had?
"I write quite often for a website called runninginheels.co.uk|, mainly ethical fashion articles. In terms of academic papers I wrote one with my supervisor that was accepted for a publication called 'Wonder', which is a new sustainability publication from Bath Spa University. I am also working on further academic papers which I’m hoping to get published next year."
What are your interests and hobbies?
"Ethical fashion has taken over quite a lot of my life. I keep a blog emmascribbles.blogspot.com| and I am now volunteering at my local museum, helping with their needle work collection because ethical fashion issue ties in well with dress history, it also deals with slow fashion and creating things to last rather than buying fast fashion all the time. I wanted to learn more about the history of dress and textiles which has been really interesting."