The CoRE supports a range of collaborations and research projects across participating universities
These projects are currently being supported by the CoRE:
OKIF: Weaving Lives Together in Northern Nigeria (204-2027)
Through a collaboration between King’s College London, Neem Foundation, and the Creative Women in Lagos network, the initiative integrates MHPSS with creative opportunities. It builds on Neem Foundation’s Counselling on Wheels, a mobile mental health and peacebuilding programme that uses creative practices. The project connects participants with leading fashion house Ituen Basi, establishing supply chains that transform artistic expression into livelihood opportunities. By scaling up these efforts, this project seeks to go beyond existing best practices, ensuring that healing and economic independence go hand in hand.
“Sustainable fashion and textiles in Africa: The Designer-Manufacturer Nexus as Development Pathway” (2027-2029)
Dr Lauren England (King’s College London), Professor Eka Ikpe (King’s College London), Professor Jen Snowball (Rhodes University) and Dr Ogake Mosomi (University of Nairobi) have been awarded funding by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for this interdisciplinary research project. The project is in partnership with the British Council (Sub-Saharan African Arts), HEVA Fund, Cape Wools South Africa, and the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO). Through action research, the project will investigate how collaboration between fashion designers and textile and garment manufacturers can support sustainable innovation and socio-economic development in Kenya and South Africa, while strengthening intra-African and Africa–UK knowledge exchange.
The CoRE has supported a range of past projects and initiatives. Past projects are listed below: