team
Meet The Team
Our multi-disciplinary team includes expertise in Design, Forensic Science and Environmental Science (aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial)
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.
Dr. Alana James
Alana is an Associate Professor in Fashion in the School of Design at Northumbria University. Her expertise lies in the use of design tools, methods, and approaches to create sustainable innovation in the global fashion value chain. She creates impact within this research area through continued international publication, presentation and doctoral examination. Through her work she collaborates with multiple disciplines and a breadth of stakeholders across the fashion and textile sector to collegiately respond to complex environmental and social challenges. Alana brings this experience to her role as Director for the IMPACT+ Network, where her priorities are to bridge disciplinary knowledge and develop transparent and inclusive relationships with integral project partners.
Prof. Anil Namdeo
Anil is Professor of Air Quality Management and Net Zero at Northumbria University. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and a Chartered Scientist. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and a fellow of the Institute of Air Quality Management, Anil is also a member of Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) and a member of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority’s Sustainability Panel. Furthermore, he is currently UKRI Regional Clean Air Champion for East and North East of England. He was a member of the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) Public Health Advisory Committee on Air Pollution which developed guidelines for outdoor air quality and health
Prof. Anne Peirson-Smith
Anne is a Professor and Subject Lead for Fashion in the School of Design at Northumbria University. She is an experienced academic teacher, researcher, and research project manager with a creative industry background. Anne has secured a range of industry-oriented research projects focussing on communicating and marketing sustainability and circularity in the fashion industry, clothing longevity and durability and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Recent research funding examined the marketing discourse and promotional strategies of sustainable fashion brands from 2015-2020. In addition to regularly contributing to industry panels including ASBCI, Anne has also been involved in a number of recent consultations with global denim manufacturers, workwear companies, leading online retailers, upcycling designers, reuse and recycling companies, and sustainability NGOs.
Dr. Miranda Prendergast-Miller
Miranda is an Assistant Professor at Northumbria University in
the Geography and Environmental Sciences Department. She has broad research interests in human impacts on the environment, with a particular focus on soil health and soil function, exploring how soil ecology responds to anthropogenic disruptions, as well as how soil ecosystem processes can be restored and harnessed for sustainable land management. Most recently, Miranda's research has embraced an interdisciplinary approach to understand the impact of textile fibres in the soil environment.
Dr. Kelly Sheridan
Kelly is an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science at Northumbria University and has specialised in the field of textile fibres for over 17 years. Alongside this role, she is also CEO of The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), a non-profit organisation leading the textile industry in reducing microfibre release to protect the environment. Kelly's research on the prevalence of fibres (aka microfibres), the factors affecting their loss from textiles and their subsequent movement in the environment came long before ‘microfibres’ became topical. These days Kelly has taken her forensic skills and knowledge and is using them to address the challenges of microfibre pollution and their environmental impact.
Dr. Thomas Stanton
Tom is an AXA Research Fund Fellow in Loughborough University’s Division of Geography and Environment. His research is focussed on anthropogenic materials in aquatic environments, with his fellowship investigating the pathways and impacts of natural textile fibres (such as cotton and wool) relative to their plastic analogues (such as polyester). Tom’s research extends beyond textile fibres, including pollution from plastic and non-plastic macrolitter, and chemical pollution in aquatic environments. He integrates community science into his research wherever possible. An avid science communicator, Tom has published in The Conversation and Frontiers for Young Minds, been interviewed for local BBC news and Wildlife Magazine, and featured on the Finding Genius and Cuppa with a Scientist podcasts.
Dr. Matteo Gallidabino
Matteo is an Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry at King`s College London (UK). Having obtained his PhD from the University of Lausanne, his highly inter-disciplinary research focuses on the analysis of chemical and trace evidence. He is author of numerous works examining the mechanisms leading to textile fibre shedding in criminal scenarios, in order to better support the Criminal Justice System in the decision-making process. Recipient of numerous excellence awards, Matteo collaborates with many universities and industrial partners worldwide, and is member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
Dr. Nkumbu Mutambo
Nkumbu is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria whose research broadly explores the role of design in society. Her PhD examined the role and meaning of heritage for fashion designers, interrogating issues at the intersection of history, dress and identity. In addition to her knowledge of the fashion sector, Nkumbu draws on a wealth of experience gained from working as researcher on multidisciplinary, collaborative projects. These include Creative Fuse Northeast, a knowledge exchange focused initiative aimed at supporting the creative and cultural industry, and ThreadCount, a multi-stakeholder examination of awareness and action towards mitigating microfibre pollution in the fashion industry.
Dr. Chimdia Kechi-Okafor
Chimdia is a researcher specialising in Biochemistry and Forensic Science. Her PhD focused on quantifying and identifying anthropogenic microfibres in aquatic environments. With supervisory roles and collaborative projects in textile fibres across aquatic and terrestrial settings, she brings a diverse expertise to environmental assessment. Motivated by a passion for research, teaching, and community service, Chimdia aims to contribute to a better understanding and mitigation of the fashion industry's ecological footprint.
Laura Gower
As IMPACT+ Network Project Manager, Laura assists the Principal Investigator in the delivery of research activity and the growth of the multi-stakeholder network. She supports the team in initiating, developing, and building relationships with project partners, aiding in the growth, sustainability, and legacy of the network. She is responsible for budgeting and resource management, overseeing and managing the allocation of the Network Plus flexi funds with partner institutions, and liaising with post-award and procurement teams, to ensure compliance with university and funder regulations. She helps to lead the development of a collegiate and inclusive culture across the broader network by creating opportunities to share good practice.
Abigail Irving-Munro
Abi is a Early Career Research Co-ordinator her role is to conduct engagement with early career researchers across the IMPACT+ network to build cross-disciplinary action and aid future collaboration. She has successfully completed her PhD researching the second-hand clothing economy supply chain’s and analysed the critical stages clothing undergoes before reaching landfill. She recognised there are systemic issues which need to be addressed through a systems designs approach to action sustainable growth and tackle fashion’s waste problem.