Dr Jane Wood is a researcher, educator, and innovator working at the intersection of textile science, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Before entering academia, I spent 18 years as an international textile technologist, working across global supply chains to develop, test, and implement textile solutions at scale. This industry background grounds my research in practical application, commercial relevance, and a deep understanding of real-world manufacturing contexts.
Currently a lecturer in Fashion and Textile Technology at the University of Manchester my academic work focuses on the real-world application of material research to address environmental challenges in the fashion and textile industries, with particular expertise in biodegradability, fibre fragmentation, and bio-based materials. I am especially interested in how natural products and microbiology can contribute to sustainable innovation—exploring how biologically derived materials such as bacterial cellulose can be used to replace or remediate the harmful impacts of conventional textiles. My research into microfibre pollution contributes to better understanding of material performance and environmental risk, helping inform future design and production methods.
Alongside lab-based research, I am committed to public engagement and citizen science as tools for inclusive, participatory knowledge-building. I have led projects involving communities in the exploration of bio-based and biodegradable materials, encouraging shared ownership of sustainability challenges and solutions.
I also engage actively with professional bodies such as The Textile Institute, the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), and the AATCC, contributing to the advancement of standards, innovation, and best practices across the global textile sector.
Now working within academia, I supervise postgraduate researchers, lead interdisciplinary research initiatives, and develop partnerships that bridge science, design, and industry. My ambition is to be internationally recognised for advancing sustainable innovation in textiles through rigorous applied research, and for supporting a more responsible and regenerative future for the industry.I am a researcher, educator, and innovator working at the intersection of textile science, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Before entering academia, I spent 18 years as an international textile technologist, working across global supply chains to develop, test, and implement textile solutions at scale. This industry background grounds my research in practical application, commercial relevance, and a deep understanding of real-world manufacturing contexts. My academic work focuses on the real-world application of material research to address environmental challenges in the fashion and textile industries, with particular expertise in biodegradability, fibre fragmentation, and bio-based materials. I am especially interested in how natural products and microbiology can contribute to sustainable innovation—exploring how biologically derived materials such as bacterial cellulose can be used to replace or remediate the harmful impacts of conventional textiles. My research into microfibre pollution contributes to better understanding of material performance and environmental risk, helping inform future design and production methods. Alongside lab-based research, I am committed to public engagement and citizen science as tools for inclusive, participatory knowledge-building. I have led projects involving communities in the exploration of bio-based and biodegradable materials, encouraging shared ownership of sustainability challenges and solutions. I also engage actively with professional bodies such as The Textile Institute, the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), and the AATCC, contributing to the advancement of standards, innovation, and best practices across the global textile sector. Now working within academia, I supervise postgraduate researchers, lead interdisciplinary research initiatives, and develop partnerships that bridge science, design, and industry. My ambition is to be internationally recognised for advancing sustainable innovation in textiles through rigorous applied research, and for supporting a more responsible and regenerative future for the industry.