Odette Steele

Odette Steele is a Senior Lecturer in Textile Design at Norwich University of the Arts (NUA), specializing in embroidery, print, weaving, and dyeing. She joined NUA in 2022 and serves as BA1 Textile Design Year Leader, shaping the curriculum for first-year students while contributing to higher-year modules in her areas of expertise.

• Education: BFA in Fashion Textiles from University of the Arts London (UAL), PgCert in Academic Practice (UAL), and Fellow in Higher Education Certification.

Her research integrates African heritage influences, focusing on pattern, color, and craftsmanship. She advocates for sustainable practices and community engagement through textile arts, collaborating internationally with artisans and institutions such as the British Council and Crafting Futures.

Award highlights include the 'Ones To Watch' Award (2016), Crafting Futures Grant (2019), and residency programs in Indonesia and China. Her work has been showcased globally at events like London Fashion Week, the UK-China Contemporary Culture Festival, and the Chinese Visual Festival.

• Grants: Teaching Within Grant (UAL, 2020), British Council Residency Programme.

Odette’s practice bridges education and art, emphasizing hands-on teaching across all academic levels. Her collaborations focus on preserving traditional crafts while fostering innovation in textile design.