Staff Profile

Dr Jane Scott is a Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow (NUAcT) in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University. Her research is located at the intersection of programmable materials, knitted fabric design, textile technology and biology. As a textile specialist her research challenges the established understanding of smart materials for architecture; applying principles derived from biology to the development of environmentally responsive textile systems composed of natural and sustainable materials. 

Before joining Newcastle University, Jane was a Senior Teaching Fellow in The School of Design at The University of Leeds and held a Visiting Research Fellowship in biomimicry at Central Saint Martins (2016-2020). She completed PhD through the Textiles Futures Research Centre at Central Saint Martins, where she developed Programmable Knitting. In 2016 this work was awarded the Autodesk ACADIA Emerging Research Award by the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA).

Her work has been exhibited internationally; in 2019 Bioknit Pavilion (in collaboration with MuDD Architects) formed part of the public interventions at Design Junction, (London Design Festival) and in 2018 Growing Medium was exhibited as part of Material Innovation in the North at The Baltic (Gateshead). She has presented research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Pompidou Centre, The Design Museum, London, The University of Michigan, and the Microsoft Research Centre, Cambridge.

During the NUAcT fellowship Jane’s research will focus on the potential to design with biology using textile fabrication processes. She will develop a new generation of living textiles for architecture; knitted fabrics that adapt their properties in response to environmental stimuli, acting as a programmable interface to maintain a healthy environment in buildings.

Dr Jane Scott is a Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow (NUAcT) in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment. Her research is located at the intersection of programmable materials, knitted fabric design, textile technology and biology. As a textile specialist her research challenges the established understanding of smart materials for architecture; applying principles derived from biology to the development of environmentally responsive textile systems composed of natural and sustainable materials.

During the NUAcT fellowship Jane’s research will focus on the potential to design with biology using textile fabrication processes. She will develop a new generation of living textiles for architecture; knitted fabrics that adapt their properties in response to environmental stimuli, acting as a programmable interface to maintain a healthy environment in buildings

In addition to technical innovation in materials and structures, there is a more conceptual strand to Jane's research which interrogates the transformational role of knitted fabrics as site specific architectures. This research is exemplified through exhibition work and environmentally responsive installations. In 2019 Jane co-curated Post Digital Knit at The Panett Art Gallery, Whitby. This exhibition considered knitting as both a making process and a way of thinking for the post digital age. Jane was also instrumental in the development and implementation of a series of place-based textile events across Yorkshire as part of The Yorkshire Year of the Textile funded by the Arts Council (2017). 

Jane has extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including postgraduate supervision across design, engineering and architecture. She has specialist knowledge in the field of textile design and technology including Shima Seiki programming and design systems for 3D knitting. She has experience leading practical classes and lecture programmes in the areas of studio practice and design research methodologies.

As a designer Jane has demonstrated how making can become a powerful tool for education and engagement. In collaboration with partner organisations she has delivered a range of public events using textiles as tool for thinking about science and design. This has included participating as a contributing designer at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition and designing and delivering textiles content for the Craft Council’s Make Your Future Programme. In 2016 her public engagement work at The University of Leeds was recognised in the role of Public Engagement Champion, and in 2018 her work, alongside colleagues from knit design, received the Public Engagement with Research Award.