IMPACT+, a multi-disciplinary network that challenges the way environmental impact is measured and assessed across the fashion and textile industries, is holding a symposium in Newcastle on 23 January. The event will feature a number of activities including: keynote speeches from Carry Somers (Fashion Revolution), Andrew Martin (Sustainable Apparel Coalition) and WRAP; a guest panel discussion facilitated by Professor Anne Peirson-Smith (Fashion) and Professor Anil Namdeo (Air-Quality Management); two breakout sessions focusing on current challenges and collective action. There will also be a team from Lim, who will be live illustrating themes and prominent topics from conversations.

IMPACT+ is led by Northumbria University, working with King’s College London and Loughborough University, and questions the reliability, authenticity and usability of data generated, exploring how existing methods of quantification could be having a detrimental effect on sustainable development across the sector. Directed by the Network Leadership Team, IMPACT+ assembles critical knowledge from the scientific and design communities, alongside multiple industry stakeholders. Their goal is to develop a greater level of transparency and accuracy in the assessment of environmental impact of products, processes, and behaviour.

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).

The IMPACT+ Symposium will assemble academic and industry representatives to understand real-world challenges with assessing environmental impact across the fashion and textile industries. The primary goal is to co-create collaborative efforts to address identified issues and shortcomings in current metrics, measurements and assessment methodologies. The outcomes of discussions will begin to direct future network activities and inform the focus of the flexi-fund projects developed and distributed to the academic community in 2024.

IMPACT+ Symposium 

Tuesday 23 January, 9.30am – 4.30pm: The Great Hall, Sutherland Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne

REGISTER HERE