Chetna Prajapati

Chetna Prajapati is a Senior Lecturer in Textiles and Co-Director of Global Engagement at Loughborough University's School of Design and Creative Arts. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology for Textile Design from De Montfort University and is a Fellow of AdvanceHE (FHEA). Her work bridges art, design, science, and technology to drive sustainable innovation in textile production. Previously, she lectured at Chelsea College of Arts and has industry experience in both creative and technical roles.

Education:

• BA (Hons) Textile Design, Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London
• MA in Printed Textiles, Royal College of Art
• PhD in Biotechnology for Textile Design, De Montfort University

Research Interests: Chetna's research focuses on applying biotechnology—particularly enzymes—to enhance textile design and production sustainably. She explores eco-friendly coloration, surface patterning, and interdisciplinary collaborations to achieve economic, environmental, and social benefits. Her work has been published in journals like Journal of Cleaner Production and presented globally.

Articles & Trends: Her publications emphasize enzyme-based solutions for textile innovation, including laccase-catalysed coloration, shrink-resistant coatings, and sustainable dyeing methods. These contributions align with global trends toward eco-conscious manufacturing and biodegradable materials.

Awards:

• Fellow of AdvanceHE (FHEA)

Advising & Grants: Chetna supervises postgraduate research and co-led the LEBIOTEX project (funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council), a collaboration between universities and industry partners to integrate biotechnology into textile design.

Labs/Teams: Her research is part of interdisciplinary teams exploring textile biotechnology and sustainability, contributing to both academic and industrial advancements.