Dr Mark Sumner was one of ProGRESS's earliest guests, so his 2025 return to the podcast to talk about the latest developments in his career feels like a seal of approval.
Mark talks about leaving Leeds University's School of Design at the end of the 2024 academic year in favour of a new role at WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme.
WRAP is a not-for profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and for 20 years it has been pushing for global environmental action and circular living, so it's no surprise that after a lifetime of research with a focus on sustainability, particularly in textiles, Mark's expertise is valued there and he felt he could add something to the organisation.
It is really striking in this interview that Mark has doubts as he enters a third phase of a career that has seen him work and research in retail, education and now for a not-for-profit organisation. He says he can't be sure of the extent of his influence. And he's frustrated that sustainability focuses on fast fashion alone, without considering the millions of people, particularly in the global south, who depend on the whole industry and supply chain for their livelihood.
Find out what questions Mark thinks we should be posing about the fashion and textile industries, the goals Mark has left to achieve with WRAP and the touch job getting the sustainability message out to every generation.
Listen to Mark's original Season 1 interview here
WRAP
Leeds University's School of Design
Season 2 Episode 3: Nicki Black, fashion and creative director
Season 2 Episode 5: Glen Burrows, photographer, disrupter, regenerative food entrepreneur
Season 3 Episode 12: Beccy Dickson, co-founder of Branded Bio and eco-entrepreneur
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