Aggregates in Clay Bodies - A Research Project

An article outlining the origins of my current research. Featured in international ceramics magazine: Ceramics Technical. Originally published in 200

Regional development in South Africa’s West Coast: 'dividends on the process side'?

Academics, policy-makers and consultants have been increasingly focusing upon the 'region' as the crucible of economic development. This regionalist approach places institutions at the centre of the process of stimulating growth. Much debate has been ongoing in academic circles, particularly those inhabited by economic geographers, about the veracity of the regionalist approach and the explanatory power of the terminology associated with it. This paper analyses explicit efforts to engender regional economic development in the West Coast of South Africa. Our empirical evaluation indicates that policy actors have sought to upgrade the institutional infrastructure of the region and that some significant achievements are evident within this realm. However, these achievements are yet to be associated with sustained regional economic takeoff. The paper concludes by asking searching questions about the ability of the regionalist approach to deliver meaningful socio-economic transformation

'Alternative foods' and community-based development : Rooibos tea production in South Africa's West Coast mountains

Rooibos tee (red bush tea) (Aspalathus linearis, Fabaceae), which is indigenous only to the Cedarberg and neighbouring mountains of South Africa, has become popular internationally as a result of its apparent health-giving properties. Situated within the broader contexts of alternative food networks, alternate economic spaces and local/community-based development, this paper examines how two marginalised communities have successfully penetrated international markets by supplying organically produced rooibos tea which is certified by the international Fairtrade system. Focusing on the cases of Wupperthal and Heiveld, the paper explores the dynamics of the production and marketing process and the key variables involved. Success has been achieved through active NGO support, which has engaged with local skills and social capital, and has led to significant social and economic upliftment among the participating communities. The experience illustrates how, given the right conditions, poor communities in the South might participate successfully in global alternative food networks

Sociology and the state: Some recent theories with special reference to post-war Britain

Abstract Not Provided

Book Chapter: Ceramics & Architecture

Book featuring invited designers and architects who had work featured in the 2009 Dutch Design Week - Ceramics & Architecture Exhibition, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The exhibition showed innovative materials and prototype architectural products

International Ceramics Symposium Eskisehir, Turkey June 2010

Selected pages from book of the 2011 International Ceramics Symposium. The Symposium involved 10 invited international artists. Over a two week period the artists developed large scale public artworks to be permanently installed in sites around the city of Eskisehir, Turkey. The artworks were to reflect the aesthetic vocabulary of the invited artists. Parallel to the development of the artworks, all invited guest artists gave a series of lectures and workshop

SERES09 International Ceramics & Glass Congress - Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey Exhibition of prototype example of material made from Kiln Cast Recycled Ceramic & Glass Waste

Invited international guest artist, conference speaker and advisory board member. Work retained for inclusion in Turkish National Cultural Collection

International Woodfire Ceramics Symposium Sept 2011 Invited international artist. Zibo, Shandong Province, China

The aim of the symposium was to invite a selected group of international artists to develop work for firing in a unique Korean style wood-firing kiln. The symposium involved, making work, firing the kiln, lectures, workshops and demonstrations. Piece of work selected for permanent collection of the Chinese International Ceramics Art Gallery

ALUSID 100% recycled ceramics products

ALUSID is based in Preston, Lancashire, where it manufactures SilicaStone® - an eco-architectural material made from 100% recycled glass and vitrified ceramic that would otherwise end up in landfill. Its unique, patent pending, process allows for materials to be created without the use of resin, cement or other binders, making it fire and heat resistant as well as making it recyclable at the end of its life

Kiln Cast Ceramic & Glass Form Exhibited at the: UNESCO International Academy of Ceramics - Members Exhibition 2008

Invited exhibition for members of the UNESCO International Academy of Ceramics Exhibition venue: World Ceramic Museum, Fuping, China The exhibition was part of the 2008 IAC General Assembly Following the exhibition, the artwork was retained for the World Ceramic Museum permanent collection