ABOUT IMPACT+
Quantifying environmental impact across the full lifecycle of fashion products is a complex, and often unattainable goal.
Current measurement tools adopt a breadth of methods and metrics, with the lack of a universal approach preventing comparability and reliability of results.
The IMPACT+ Network aims to address these identified issues by critically analysing existing tools, methods and metrics to improve the collation, analysis and assessment of environmental impact. The network will work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries (environmental, forensic, data science, and design) and with multiple stakeholders (manufacturers, brands, textile recyclers and consumers).
This critical assembly of knowledge will overcome current issues regarding the reliability, authenticity and usability of environmental impact assessment data, working towards standardised test methods from an aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial perspective, and ensuring that evidenced based scientific data informs future innovation in the design and development of materials and processes utilised in the product of fashion products.
Academic Collaborators
Northumbria University is the leading institution on the Network, drawing on design, environmental science (atmospheric and terrestrial) and forensic science expertise. Additionally the Network has two partner institutions that act as regional hubs for the project, Loughborough University, which contributes further environmental science (aquatic) expertise, and Kings College London which helps build the forensic science knowledge base.
Funding
The IMPACT+ Network is funded by the UKRI Circular Fashion and Textile Programme: NetworkPlus, part of 2-year, £15 million trilateral investment from NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), Innovate UK and AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council). Collaboratively the research councils have built a coalition with industry, government and the third-sector to co-produce a 10-year vision to action circularity across the sector.
Project Partners
The Network are proud to be supported by 12 project partners who will form the Independent Advisory Board. Their role will be to support, guide and advise the direction of the work being conducted and will benefit from access and implementation of findings and insights. The aim is to continue the growth of the Network, developing further associate project partners throughout the duration of the project and beyond.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
At IMPACT+ we bring together people from a diverse range of backgrounds to solve some of the fashion industry’s most challenging environmental issues. We unite people from across academia and industry, support interdisciplinary research, and are dedicated to equity and inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, and identity. We are committed to equality because we believe the innovative solutions we seek are only possible in diverse environments.
The IMPACT+ Network are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment for all network members, collaborators and participants. Having led her department to achieve a bronze award Athena Swan award in 2022 in her role as Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Principal Investigator Alana James draws on her extensive knowledge and expertise to ensure that all network activities reflect the NERC Diversity and Inclusion Living Action Plan 2022-2025. This will be achieved by: ensuring plans, activities and data generated are made publicly accessible. All Impact Innovation Funds are allocated through equitable processes and free from bias, supporting and nurturing individuals from a diverse range of talent and career stages; collaboration and partnership with diverse communities through the execution of planned public engagement activities, reporting diversity data on the IMPACT+ website.