Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I am Dr Samantha Vettese. I am a Reader in Applied Art and Design with eleven years of experience in Higher Education and seven years as an award-winning  jewellery and metalwork designer. My research is wide-ranging in approach; encompassing diverse areas of art, design and heritage with a particular emphasis on digital craft. My grant funding and awards total over £150,000 and I have published a number of peer reviewed journal and conference papers.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and deliver high quality teaching and learning in visual, critical and contextual studies for multi-disciplinary, under and post graduate design students. In 2010 I was awarded the Graduates Teaching Prize for lecturer of the year and was nominated for the 2010 Teaching and Learning Oscars, ‘Guiding Hand’ award at Heriot-Watt University. I was appointed as external examiner for the BA (Hons) in Fashion Communication at Southampton Solent University (2013 – 2017).

I have been recipient of several prestigious prizes as a practicing jeweller including the Platinum Awards and the Goldsmiths Metal Bursary in 1990 and the New Designers/Goldsmiths jewellery prize in 1991. After receiving my first degree, I spent a year as ‘artist in residence’ within the Jewellery and Silversmithing department of Edinburgh College of Art. I have exhibited extensively throughout the United Kingdom and my work in platinum and gold form part of the Museum of Scotland’s permanent collection.

Can you explain the project you have received Challenge Funding for? 

We have created a 3D printable material utilising textile waste with PLA bioplastic, working with four Scottish industrial partners.

Why do you believe the textiles industry needs the project you are working on?

We created a new use for textile waste in a format not normally associated with the traditional textile industry.

What have you managed to achieve progress on since you were awarded the Challenge Fund?

We created what we set out to achieve.

What impact has your project had, to date?

At this time, we have created innovation. Other societal, local and commercial benefits are still to unfold.

What does the future look like for your project? What are the next steps?

We are continuing work with two of our industrial partners so far, on projects more specific to their company needs. We have also been approached by several small Scottish companies to apply our general expertise to their outputs. We are looking at creating a spin-out company and patent.

Samantha Vettese interiewed by Kimberley White