Professor Kate Goldsworthy [PhD] FRSA
Professor of Circular Design and Innovation
Director, University of the Arts Innovation Lab
Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London
Kate Goldsworthy is a Professor of Circular Design and Innovation at the University of the Arts London, where her work explores how design can drive systemic change towards more sustainable and regenerative material futures. With a background bridging design practice and research in an industry context, she brings a holistic perspective to the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy in the textiles, fashion and materials sectors.
Having worked in the denim industry for over ten years, in 2012 she completed the first UK practice-based doctorate focused on ‘designing textiles for the circular economy’. Since then she has continued to explore future manufacturing and recovery contexts through collaborative and design-led research. Her creative work has been exhibited & collected internationally. and commissions include The Science Museum, The V&A and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
At UAL, Kate leads research and teaching initiatives that integrate circular design principles into creative practice, equipping the next generation of designers with the tools to rethink material use, product lifecycles, and business models. Her work has contributed to influential reports and policy dialogues on sustainability, while also inspiring students and peers through studio projects and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Beyond academia, Kate has partnered with industry, NGOs, and public sector organisations to co-develop strategies for innovation rooted in circularity. She is committed to making design a force for positive change through creative and collaborative approaches. Her publications and projects seek not only to advance scholarly understanding, but also to provide practical pathways for action.
Kate believes that design education, research and knowledge exchange must be both visionary and grounded: shaping the collective imagination while offering tangible solutions for a more resilient world