WOOL EXCHANGE III: Research & Innovation open call

For the Wool Exchange III, our shared mission to improve recognition of the cultural, environmental, and economic value of wool within the fashion and textiles industries has expanded. We want to bring together the UK’s leading researchers, academics, innovators and industry specialists who are advancing the next generation of wool-based research, innovation and commercial application.

Wool Exchange III will provide a platform to share knowledge, foster collaboration and showcase how UK expertise is helping shape the future of wool. Researchers, academics, innovators and industry specialists can now apply to contribute to Wool Exchange III at Central Saint Martins on 25 and 26 November 2026.

About the partnership: British Wool and M School

In previous years, the Wool Exchange has welcomed 400+ external visitors and featured 70+ UK brands alongside farmers, manufacturers, spinners, journalists, designers, buyers, academics, technicians and emerging fashion and textiles designers. Wool garments have been exhibited by Paul Smith, JW Anderson, Charles Jeffry, Paolo Carzana, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, McQueen, Barbour, Navy Grey, Palava Knitwear, M&S, John Lewis, Saville Row designers and CSM Fashion and Textiles students and alumni. Our Wool Exchanges have ensured British wool remains visible, valued and is increasingly adopted by emerging and established fashion and textiles designers as a material of choice.

Now, we want to build on this momentum by sharing insights and developing collaborations that can deliver the economic and environmental transformation that wool can offer to the wider creative industries and beyond.

The first edition of our new publication 'The Clip’, produced by CSM BA Fashion Communication: Journalism students, tells stories of wool from soil to shears, from fibre to fabric, from cloth to finished product, showcasing work from CSM students.

Call for contributions

We are seeking research, case studies and innovative projects exploring wool’s unique properties, performance and applications which can shape the future of wool-based research in the UK and internationally.

This year we are broadening our reach to all areas of the creative industries: the value of British wool has innovative potential applications across many industries, sectors and supply chains. Applications are open for those researching or experimenting with British Wool in novel ways.

Abstracts and presentations are particularly welcomed in the following areas:

• Innovations in wool processing
• Sustainable wool production practices
• New textile and non-textile applications for wool
• Wool’s role in sustainable fashion
• Textile technology and design
• Emissions and environmental impact of wool
• Wool and the circular economy
• Innovative design with wool

Key information

Abstracts should be no longer than 600 words

Submission deadline: 1 July 2026

Oral presentations to be delivered in English

Accepted papers will be included in the Wool Exchange proceedings.

If you have any questions, please contact: 

Berni Yates Lead on Knowledge Exchange for Fashion: b.yates@csm.arts.ac.uk

Submit your abstract

For further information or to submit your abstract, contact: marketing@britishwool.org.uk or call 01274 688666