Dr James' research explores responsible social and environmental practices in the fashion supply chain from a design perspective. Working closely with key stakeholders, in particular fashion consumers and brands, her work investigates how a collaborative approach can aid in moving the industry forward to a more sustainable future. 

Since the publication of her PhD in 2015, entitled Influencing Ethical Fashion Purchasing Behaviour, lines of inquiry have continued to explore the diverse approaches possible in the implementation of sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Examples include: utilising zero-waste pattern cutting methods to lead the creative design process, engaging fashion consumers in a transparent business model, the inclusion of people in the product lifecycle in the consideration of ethics, the role of consumers and retailers in the application of sustainable values in fashion, how higher education contextualises sustainability as a key design tool and the challenges facing the adoption of circular principles in fashion. 

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Cross-disciplinary Collaboration Challenging Microfibre Fragmentation in the Fashion and Textile Industries, James, A., Mutambo, N., Prendergast-Miller, M., Sheridan, K., Rogers, A. 8 Mar 2024, Microfibre Pollution from Textiles, Boca Raton, US, Taylor & Francis
• Are microfibres a problem for aquatic ecosystems? What we don’t know about textile pollution, Gallidabino, M., Sheridan, K., Stanton, T., James, A., Ginting, J. 30 Sep 2023
• Mind and muscle: Deconstructing the uniform of masculinity in the time of AIDS, Younger, D., Sellars, N., James, A. 1 Apr 2023, In: Critical Studies in Men's Fashion
• Rethinking the fashion value chain: how reshoring can create a localised product lifecycle and support sustainable economic growth, James, A., Mather, S., Sheridan, K. 17 Sep 2023, Novel sustainable alternatives for the textiles and fashion industry, Cham, Switzerland, Springer
• Utilising 3D fashion design software to enable remanufacturing in sportswear, Wetherell, S., Nicholson, T., James, A. 10 Nov 2023, In: International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education

• Sophie Wetherell How to learn from redesign to design a technical sportswear garment for multiple life cycles, exploring repair and remanufacturing. Start Date: 07/12/2023
• Kenny MacRae Camo, Colour and Craft: a modern exploration of the craft of camouflage printing, taking in the development, use and application of the Denison camouflage pattern, reinvigorating the practice and saving the techniques for prosperity. Start Date: 01/10/2023
• Shuoying Hong The future sustainable development and innovation of Chinese sportswear - Emphasizing the role of co-creation from the perspective of designers Start Date: 01/10/2023
• Xin Gao Repurposing post-consumer textile waste: creating a maker culture framework for modular design opportunities in the circular economy Start Date: 01/10/2023
• Abigail Irving-Munro An investigation into fashion systems to develop sustainable growth in second-hand clothing supply chains Start Date: 18/01/2021

Design Studies PhD November 17 2014