People

Our members are expert researchers in their fields.

Centre Director

Dr.  Taylor Brydges

Dr. Taylor Brydges

Centre Director, Centre of Material and Design Exchange (CO:MADE)

  • Location Brunswick Australia
  • Department Fashion & Textile
Associate Professor Taylor Brydges is Director of the Centre of Material and Design Exchange (CO:MADE) at RMIT University. Her research explores the future of fashion and textiles, with expertise in sustainability, circular economy, transitions consumption and industry transformation. She provides strategic leadership for the Centre, supporting interdisciplinary research, building partnerships with industry and government, and creating opportunities for research to inform policy, practice, and innovation.

Message from the Director

Welcome to CO:MADE

Fashion and textiles are at a pivotal moment. As the sector responds to environmental, technological and social change, there has never been a greater need for research that connects diverse expertise, perspectives and partners.

At CO:MADE, we know the most complex challenges are solved through collaboration. We bring together creative practice, scientific research and social inquiry to advance material and design innovation that transforms fashion and textile systems. From next-generation materials and manufacturing to circular systems, design innovation and changing consumption practices, our research is united by a commitment to creating more sustainable, resilient and equitable futures.

At the heart of CO:MADE is exchange. Research creates its greatest impact when people, ideas and expertise come together. By connecting different ways of thinking, making and working, we generate new ideas, build lasting partnerships and translate research into meaningful change. That is why we work closely with researchers, industry, government, cultural organisations and communities.

CO:MADE is a place where people connect, ideas are exchanged and research is translated into impact. Whether you are a researcher, student, industry partner, policymaker or community collaborator, we invite you to join us in transforming fashion and textile systems together.

We look forward to working with you.

Associate Professor Taylor Brydges

Director, Centre of Material and Design Exchange (CO:MADE)

Theme Leaders

 Julie  Boulton (Chair)

Julie Boulton (Chair)

Sustainability Consultant

 Mike  Smith

Mike Smith

Sales and Marketing Manager, Safety & Protective, Bruck Textiles

 Erika  Martin

Erika Martin

Head of Sustainability, Country Road Group

 Josephine  Rout

Josephine Rout

Senior Curator, National Wool Museum

 Mary  Lou Ryan

Mary Lou Ryan

VP Circular Strategy & Partnerships, AirRobe

 Athena  Savvas

Athena Savvas

Sustainability and Impact Manager, DISSH

 Kerry  Mackenzie

Kerry Mackenzie

Global Sourcing Compliance Manager, Zimmermann

Members

Dr. Ricarda Bigolin

Dr. Ricarda Bigolin

Associate Professor

Dr. Peter Boyd

Dr. Peter Boyd

Senior Lecturer

Ms. Ruth Bunford

Ms. Ruth Bunford

Lecturer, Fashion Design (ACDF) (Education Focused)

Dr. Laura Gardner

Dr. Laura Gardner

Lecturer, Fashion Design

Dr. Julie Gork

Dr. Julie Gork

Lecturer, Enterprise & Technology

Dr. Tarryn Handcock

Dr. Tarryn Handcock

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Jon Hewitt

Dr. Jon Hewitt

Lecturer, Fashion Design & Enterprise

Dr. Tassia Joannides

Dr. Tassia Joannides

Associate Dean, Design

 Rimi Khan

Rimi Khan

Vice Chancellor’s Principal Research Fellow

Mrs. Chantal Kirby

Mrs. Chantal Kirby

Lecturer, Fashion Design

Miss Sonya Kraan

Miss Sonya Kraan

Associate Lecturer

Dr. Juliana Luna Mora

Dr. Juliana Luna Mora

Lecturer, Fashion & Textiles

Dr. Emma Lynas

Dr. Emma Lynas

Lecturer

Dr. Lydia Manieson

Dr. Lydia Manieson

Lecturer, Fashion & Textiles

Dr. Georgia McCorkill

Dr. Georgia McCorkill

Senior Lecturer

Associate Professor Tarun Panwar

Associate Professor Tarun Panwar

Associate Dean, Enterprise

Professor Alice Payne

Professor Alice Payne

Dean, School of Fashion & Textiles

Dr. Tamzin Rollason

Dr. Tamzin Rollason

Lecturer, Enterprise & Technology

Dr. Sean Ryan

Dr. Sean Ryan

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Kate Sala

Dr. Kate Sala

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Yassie Samie

Dr. Yassie Samie

Research Fellow

Dr. Kamyar Shirvani Moghaddam

Dr. Kamyar Shirvani Moghaddam

Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching

Mr. Amanpreet Singh

Mr. Amanpreet Singh

Lecturer, Fashion & Textiles

Dr. Denise Sprynskyj

Dr. Denise Sprynskyj

Associate Professor

Mr. Sang Thai

Mr. Sang Thai

Lecturer - Fashion Design

Dr. Jenny Underwood

Dr. Jenny Underwood

Associate Dean, Research and Innovation

Dr. Rebecca Van Amber

Dr. Rebecca Van Amber

Senior Lecturer Fashion and Textiles

Dr. Adele Varcoe

Dr. Adele Varcoe

Lecturer Fashion Design

Associate Professor Xin Wang

Associate Professor Xin Wang

Associate Professor

Technical Support

 Rumbidzai  Zizhou

Rumbidzai Zizhou

Senior Technical Officer

 Shelley  MacRae

Shelley MacRae

Senior Technical Officer

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