Dr. Shirley Mclauchlan

Biography

Shirley Mclauchlan is a lecturer and researcher at the Edinburgh College of Art with over 25 years of experience in the Textiles department. She runs her own design practice that emphasizes sustainable design principles, focusing on hand skills and product longevity. Her work is often characterized as creating modern family heirlooms. Current research projects include 'Repairing Clothes for a Planet with a Soul', which explores the benefits of hand skills and sustainability in textile design. She has been part of collaborative efforts at the King's Foundation that further investigate community engagement and the wellbeing associated with hand skills. Since 1999, she has worked as a part-time lecturer, guiding Master's students while embedding aspects of sustainable design into her teaching. In addition to her teaching role, she has been a lecturer at the School of Landscape and Architecture since 2014, working within an Art & Design team to develop drawing and design thinking processes. Mclauchlan's research spans 20 years and is centered on sustainability within the commercial textile design field, frequently engaging in participatory workshops that encourage mending and repair. She has presented her work at various events, including personalized mending workshops at the Edinburgh Climate Festival and participation in the Fashion Revolution Week. Shirley is also involved in supervising PhD students focusing on sustainable design topics.

Research Interests

Experience