Naomi A Austin

Naomi A Austin is a Deputy Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design and Promotion at the University of Sunderland's School of Creative Arts. She holds a BA (Hons) in Fashion Marketing from Northumbria University and has industry experience as a sportswear designer for companies like Reebok and Marks and Spencer. Her teaching focuses on fashion design, illustration, marketing, CAD, and sustainability. She is pursuing a PhD in sustainable design and consumer behavior at Heriot Watt University, researching bast fibres and sustainable textiles. Her 2018 book The Call of the Sea, exploring Sunderland's maritime heritage, earned critical acclaim and awards. She also freelances as an illustrator and contributes to community projects like the Tall Ships Race.

Her research integrates digital illustration (Adobe tools) and sustainability in fashion, with a commitment to bridging creative practice and environmental responsibility. She actively involves students in experiential learning through projects and collaborations.