Karen Lea-Swain

Karen Lea-Swain is a part-time Lecturer in Fashion Business at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. She combines her academic role with co-running a footwear retail business, ensuring her teaching remains contemporary and industry-relevant.

Her academic qualifications include a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and she is currently pursuing a Master's in Higher Education Research. Her professional expertise spans Senior Management roles in the Fashion Industry, covering apparel and footwear, branded and own-brand product areas.

Karen specializes in trend forecasting/adaption, product development, fashion supply chain, and global sourcing. She actively integrates her entrepreneurial experience and blue-chip retail insights into curriculum design, particularly in modules like BA(Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising, BA(Hons) Fashion Promotion, and BA (Hons) International Fashion (Top Up).

• Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK (FHEA)

She supervises fashion research projects, serves as a Final Year Personal Tutor, and advises Academic Placement Students. Her office is located in Room C2.31, Cavendish South, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.