Helen O'Sullivan

I am currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Portsmouth within the faculty of CCI and School of Art, Design and Performance. My PhD research investigates sustainable fashion, responsible consumption and education to determine whether early intervention is the key to more responsible citizen behaviour. I am currently in my fourth year of the six year part-time PhD.

My work is underpinned by Vygotsky: Where learning is seen as a social interaction, and by Freire: By viewing education as a catalyst for critical consciousness. Both approaches aim to develop a creative and practical approach to fashion education, to address the social and environmental issues of fashion and to promote active global citizenship.

My PhD involves practical workshops with primary aged children and their families within the community, exploring the issues of fashion while discovering solutions through creatiion and dialogue.

Prior to undertaking a PhD I gained extensive experience of working within sustainable fashion and also the mainstream fashion industry spanning over 19 years. I have worked within sustainable fashion education for over 16 years, 6 as a secondary school teacher and currently work as a fashion lecturer since 2021.