"Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in Sustainable Design: Textile & Fashion Notice of Filing"

The School of Human Ecology at University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for a full-time (9-month) faculty position at an open rank (assistant, associate or full) with an expertise in sustainability in fashion and design to join the faculty of the Design Studies Department. The department seeks a colleague who is an imaginative design practitioner and scholar who can build a forward-thinking program to prepare students to shape a sustainable future of textiles, fashion, other soft goods, and related design. Textiles and fashion span the trajectory from global concerns about the environment and those who work to sustain it; local initiatives to strengthen community economies, cultures, and well-being; and individual viewpoints about the relationships between bodies, identities, and creative expression. The successful candidate will join conversations around questions of adaptation, resilience, uses of technology, and humanity in support of sustainable environments at all scales. This position is a part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Further information regarding RISE can be found at: https://rise.wisc.edu/.

More specifically, the position is expected to provide experience and expertise in sustainable design, ideally with an emphasis on textiles, fashion, and/or other soft goods. Particular areas of interest to the department include (but are not limited to): Circular design, Material innovation, Technology integration, Entrepreneurship, Craft in design and production, Textile and fashion systems, in local, national, or global contexts, Design for social change, 3D software technology and/or emerging and developing technologies, Accessible and inclusive design.

The programs seek to reimagine how the next generation of designers might reinvent the fashion and textile industry's systems to combat its unsustainable practices. We work to envision alternative models, local materials, closed-loop systems, and prioritize durable goods to foster a new economy. With a focus on entrepreneurship, social innovation, and environmental impact, this research-oriented faculty member will educate future designers to effect positive change.

This position will be responsible for conducting and disseminating impactful scholarship in sustainable design, focusing on textiles and/or fashion, with an emphasis in responsibility and resourcefulness, whether in the use of materials, approaches to design, production processes, technological integration, or entrepreneurship. Limited and shared research space geared toward arts/humanities and/or social science research is available to support faculty research, within the School of Human Ecology's space guidelines.

This position carries research, teaching, and service responsibilities appropriate for the rank sought. The 2-2 teaching load (4 courses per year) will include rigorous lecture, studio, and seminar instruction across a range of levels. Other responsibilities include leading an independent and high-impact research program; seeking external funding as appropriate for the area of study; advising and working with graduate students; and participating in department, school, and university service.

The responsibilities of this position include: Develop and lead an independent research program in sustainable design, with an emphasis in textiles, fashion, and/or other softgoods ideally focusing on questions of adaptation, resilience, uses of technology, and/or humanity in support of sustainable environments at all scales; Seek external research funding as appropriate for the area of study; Publish or exhibit research findings in venues appropriate to areas of investigation; Disseminate findings of high-impact research to a wide range of stakeholders appropriate to areas of investigation; Teach undergraduate courses across programs in Textile and Fashion Design, and Design, Innovation, and Society; Integrate industry standard and emerging technology (Clo 3D, Pointcarre, Adobe Suite, etc) into curriculum; Advise graduate students and mentor undergraduate students; Contribute to undergraduate program development in Design Studies; Join the faculty in shared governance of the Design Studies department and School of Human Ecology; Participate in department, school, university, and professional service appropriate to the faculty rank; Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; Participate in campus-wide and SoHE-wide RISE Initiative; Participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts with other departments, schools and colleges; Promote respect and the practice of civility in the workplace.

Education: Required Terminal Degree (PhD or MFA) in relevant field, including but not limited to Fashion Studies, Fibers/Textiles, Fashion Design, Textile Science, Materials Science, Sustainability Studies is required by the start date.

Qualifications: Years of experience and professional accomplishments will be commensurate with the rank sought. All candidates must have proven success in conducting research and teaching appropriate for their stage of career. Associate or Full professor candidates must possess experience and scholarly credentials that meet the tenure standards of the School of Human Ecology and the relevant UW-Madison Divisional Committee. We expect this position to undergo a review process established by either Arts and Humanities or Social Science Division. Therefore, a successful candidate should demonstrate scholarly orientations, methods and evidence appropriate in one of the two Divisions at UW-Madison. Minimum Required Qualifications: The ability to lead a research program that produces high-impact scholarship, attracts external funding individually and/or through active collaboration, and engages graduate students across a range of academic programs; The ability to teach studio, seminar, and lecture courses at a range of levels to support academic programs in Textiles and Fashion Design, and Design, Innovation, and Society; Demonstrated experience in sustainable design solutions in textiles, fashion, soft goods, or related forms of design, and ability to communicate these solutions in teaching, scholarship, and outreach; The ability to work effectively within a diverse community, and a commitment to creating an inclusive work environment. Preferred Qualifications: Evidence of industry experience and/or application of scholarship, 1-3 years teaching experience.

Work Type: Full Time: 100%. It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable. Anticipated Begin Date: August 18, 2025. Salary: Negotiable, ACADEMIC (9 months).