Academic Outreach & Sustainable Fashion Liaison
Organisation name: The Peoples Hub
Where the opportunity is based:
Time for the opportunity:
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Minimum amount of hours required: 3
Description of the opportunity:
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Mapping & Outreach:
- Research and identify academic departments (Fashion, Sustainability, Sociology, etc.) and specific research projects at local universities (e.g., MMU) that align with The Peoples Hub community mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Worldwide Trade & Ethical Tracking Research:
- Investigate Export Data: Use publicly available data (e.g., UN Comtrade, national export databases) to identify the key destination countries for used textile exports from the UK/EU and track the corresponding quality/waste reports from those regions (e.g., Ghana, Kenya, Chile).
- Scam Industry Mapping: Research and document deceptive practices by for-profit clothing collection companies operating in the local Manchester area (e.g., misleading bins, vague charitable claims) that redirect clothing away from genuine local reuse/charity programs.
- Policy Review: Research current and upcoming legislation (e.g., EU Extended Producer Responsibility, UK waste policies) and academic studies related to mandatory digital product passports (DPPs) and criteria to distinguish reusable textiles from textile waste (Source 2.7).
- Academic & NGO Outreach for Collaboration:
- Identify and liaise with academic departments (Fashion, Sustainability, Sociology, Ethics) and research NGOs involved in tracking textile waste.
- Develop proposals for joint research projects, student dissertations, or guest lectures focused on the export ethics and the economic impact of used clothing imports on local textile industries in the Global South.
- Educational Resource Development:
- Support the creation of educational materials and presentations for our community workshops to inform consumers about the ethical complexities and scams in the second-hand clothing trade.
- Help document our local, ethical, and circular model (repair/upcycle/reskill) as a direct counter-narrative to the global export model.
The scope of this role is defined by independent, local action and is explicitly non-affiliated with large international bodies.