This presentation explores the historical content and evolution of textile design education in the United Kingdom (UK), with a particular focus on The Glasgow School of Art (GSA). As one of the few remaining independent art schools in the UK, GSA offers undergraduate degrees, post-graduate awards and doctoral studies in design, fine art, architecture, innovation and technology. Today, Textile Design is an undergraduate programme in the School of Design.

The formation of textile design higher education in the UK has evolved over several centuries, reflecting shifts in design, art, industry, and educational philosophies. Developments are deeply rooted in the country’s economic, industrial and cultural history. Examining key shifts over time and their impacts on today’s practices, the presentation draws on historical research and experiences of textile design teaching, learning and research.

Examples of research projects which investigate various aspects of textile heritage and textile design history are used to discuss how archives, historical inquiry and exhibition curation serve as methods to examine and communicate untold textile narratives. The outcomes from these projects develop understanding surrounding past practices, processes and pedagogies, communicated to new audiences, to inform and influence contemporary practices. In response to the congress theme: 'Fostering Transdisciplinary Textile Knowledge Generation and Translation' the presentation concludes by discussing recent developments in textile design education more broadly considering future directions and challenges for the discipline.