Alison is Senior Lecturer for the Textile Art, Design and Fashion Course Belfast School of Art and Employability and Placement lead for the School. With over 30 years industry experience in fibre and fabric technology Alison has worked with SME’s with the Invest NI Innovation voucher scheme and with Intertrade Ireland Fusion/Innovation Boost programmes focusing on circular green transition eco-system projects.

Research includes materials for Health and Wellbeing and the production of PCM nanofibres and fabrics for diabetics, moisture management and vasomotor symptoms.

Currently a member of the Natural Fibre Composite Special Interest group and a named contributor to the Belfast City Deal. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design, (CHEAD), A Fellow of Centre of Research and Practice, A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and President of the International Federation of Knitting Technologists Ireland.