Impact Action: Gearing Research into Practice: The UCRF Research Tapestry
Research papers and books, Photo by Photo by Joel Heard via Unsplash
On May 21st, the UCRF Research Tapestry project held its second workshop to further explore how research on sustainability in the context of fashion and textile can sharpen its focus and create a bigger impact. This session brought together a diverse set of participants to identify key research questions, develop inclusive research methodologies and find ways for effective translation of findings into practice. The goal was to expand on the initial discussions in our inaugural workshop in March, informing a roadmap for future action.
During the workshop we delved deeper into specific research questions and foci that webelieve should be at the forefront of fashion and textile research. We categorised research across four key themes: Policy, Operations Management, Design and Marketing, looking at system-, organisation-, product- and user-levels as units of analysis. We reveal some of the insights generated here in our previous article.
In addition, we brainstormed on specific initiatives for disseminating research findings to a broad set of stakeholders from policymakers, industry practitioners, civil society groups, and academic networks. We also explored how research can build on and learn from the experience of participants, viewing them as the agents of change they are, instead of numbers on a statistics table.
Impact beyond publications
While asking the right research questions and conducting our enquiries to the highest standards is crucial, translating findings into action has always been challenging. Our goal was to develop structured pathways for disseminating academic research across stakeholders in different sectors, to foster evidence-based sustainable practices in the textile industry.
Knowledge Dissemination with Practitioners
Bridging the gap between academic research and industry practices through:
Yearly Conferences: Engaging C-suite practitioners in discussions on integrating research findings into practical applications. These conferences provide a platform for continuous dialogue between researchers and industry decision-makers.
Stakeholder Summits: Encouraging plural perspectives and continuous dialogue. These summits facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts towards sustainable practices.
Knowledge Dissemination with Policy Makers
Engaging policymakers to ensure that research findings inform policy decisions:
How-to Guides: Assisting individuals in becoming Joint Research Centre (JRC) stakeholders and contributing to the European Commission. These guides help demystify the policy-making process and empower researchers to influence policy effectively.
Collaborations with Indigenous Groups: Creating policies that incorporate local and indigenous knowledge, ensuring cultural sensitivity and effectiveness. This approach enriches the policy-making process with diverse perspectives and ground realities.
Knowledge Dissemination with Civil Society
Empowering civil society organisations to leverage research for community-driven actions:
Collaborative Events: Hosting events with NGOs and local businesses to share research findings and engage communities in sustainability actions. These events promote knowledge exchange and community-driven initiatives.
Avoiding Top-Down Approaches: Creating partnerships that value knowledge exchange and co-creation. This approach fosters a more equitable relationship between researchers and civil society groups.
Knowledge Dissemination between Academics
Enhancing academic collaboration to ensure research relevance and impact:
Researcher Portal: Facilitating connections and collaborations between academics, sharing research opportunities and insights. This portal serves as a dynamic space for academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Direct North-South Engagement: Strengthening institutional collaborations to ensure research relevance across different contexts. These collaborations help bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application.
Bringing Research Subjects to the Spotlight
Recognizing research subjects as change agents and involving them in the research process:
Longitudinal Engagement: Building long-term relationships with research subjects. Continuous engagement fosters deeper understanding and more meaningful impacts from research.
Participative Research Design: Involving subjects in shaping research questions and methodologies. This participatory approach ensures that research is grounded in the needs and interests of those it aims to benefit.
Learning from Feminist Research: Adopting participatory and inclusive research methods to empower subjects. Feminist methodologies provide valuable insights into how research can effectively engage and empower its subjects.
Future Vision
As the UCRF Research Tapestry project moves into its second active season starting in September 2024, the focus will be on selecting, testing the feasibility, experimenting and implementing some of the strategies proposed during the workshop. Key initiatives could include:
Selection and Prioritisation: Identifying impactful and feasible strategies to drive change.
Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging industry practitioners, policymakers, civil society, and academia in strategic ways to move the needle in their respective realms.
Call to Action
The UCRF Research Tapestry project invites you to shape the future of sustainable fashion. As we gear up for the second active season, we need your voice, research, and commitment. Simply contact us with your interest or join our Union! Ensuring broad stakeholder participation to enrich the project's relevance and applicability is a priority at UCRF. Drawing on diverse perspectives helps us sharpen and spread impact.
Let’s work together to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and much-needed action!