The Burberry Foundation and Royal College of Art based in London has named Sharon Baurley as professor of design and materials and chair of the Burberry Material Futures Research Group. The Burberry Group is the first explicit ‘STEAM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) research initiative at an art and design university.

Informed by her industry-focused experience, ranging from smart materials to the impact of new technologies on the future of manufacturing, Professor Baurley will define the research agenda of the Group. She will also lead the commercial and practical application of the outcomes through collaboration with industry partners.

Professor Baurley has been a research professor at the RCA since 2016, where she also completed her PhD in textile design. Her work consulting with industry includes Courtaulds Textiles, Marks & Spencer, Unilever, Design Intelligence, and Mantero.

Baurley said, “It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to build the Burberry Material Futures Research Group into an internationally leading centre in research and innovation in design and materials that contributes to building a future of sustainable design and production. I look forward to bringing my professorial leadership skills that can synthesise across Design and STEM to advance the RCA’s STEAM agenda by developing researchers and students to occupy this unique cognitive space.”

Leanne Wood, Burberry’s chief people, strategy & corporate affairs officer, and trustee of the Burberry Foundation said, “We are delighted that Sharon Baurley has been appointed chair of the Burberry Material Futures Research Group. The Group was created to find ways to build a more sustainable future and we are excited to see the advances in material science that will be achieved under her leadership.” (GK)