Sarah Collins

Sarah Collins is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Division Head in the Department of Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. She specializes in design process, research methodologies, and portfolio communication with expertise in sports and performance wear focusing on user-centered design and co-design methodologies.

Education qualifications include a BA (Hons) degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, achieving Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2017). She has 15+ years industry experience with brands like Reebok, Adidas Group, and Puma, alongside academic roles at Manchester School of Art and University of Central Lancashire.

Research interests include co-design, football fandom, authenticity in sportswear, and identity. Current projects involve a PhD and the RKE initiative 'Re-kit' - upcycling football shirts into pediatric hospital gowns. She co-authored conference papers on wearable technologies and sustainability, presented at IFFTI 2023 and Textile Institute World Conference 2016.

• External Examiner: BA Fashion Design at University of Central Lancashire
• Contributed to National Football Museum's 'Strip! How Football Got Shirty' exhibition
• Collaborated with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital on healthcare garment innovations

Her work bridges fashion design with healthcare, sustainability, and industry partnerships, emphasizing practical applications of academic research.