The weird and the wonderful – The scientific study of a miniature mummy

A human-faced oddity purported to be a ‘human baby, animal mummy or fake’ constructed in an ancient Egyptian style, was analysed at the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, University of Manchester, UK. Radiographic analysis using conventional radiography (X-ray) and computed tomography (CT) highlighted the nature of the bundle contents and identified marked similarities to mummified animal remains from ancient Egypt. Small samples were analysed using microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). ESEM was used to assess the homogeneity of the sample and the materials used in its construction. EDS was conducted for analysis of the elemental composition.Comparatively few miniature mummies of this type are known and they represent an intriguing area of mummy studies. The results of this research have allowed comparisons with contemporary human and animal mummies to be made.Based on residues of tin plating found on the underside of the mask, it is possible that this feature is a recent addition. Further analysis of the materials used in the construction of the artefact is required to ascertain if the mask is a contemporary feature

Making it real: engaging the consumer in sustainable fashion consumption

With moves towards improving sustainability within the retail sector and a growing requirement to conform to existing and emerging legislation, retailers from ostensibly disparate sectors face the common challenge of encouraging the reduced consumption of saleable products, while simultaneously maintaining their prosperity. Project TRANSFER was initiated to investigate how efforts to promote sustainable consumption within retail is received and responded to by consumers. Consumers and partners in the retail sector were engaged with throughout the research which culminated in three consumer facing outputs; a workshop (Put a Better Foot Forward, The Moor retail destination, Sheffield, UK), installation (Making in Real, pop-up T-Shirt factory, Trinity Shopping Centre, Leeds, UK) and animated short film (Nothing to Wear? available via YouTube and launched at the Sheffield Shorts film screening, Sheffield, UK). Each of the outputs were designed to allow consumers to reflect on their shopping and consumption habits in an engaging, stimulating environment. The key aim was to promote mindfulness and engage consumers in discussion and debate. All the output events were free for the general public to attend / participate in. This paper will discuss the role of engaging the consumer in sustainable fashion research and the impact of consumer facing outputs in education and awareness of sustainable issues in shopping and consumption

Put a better foot forward workshop

In November 2014, members of the TRANSFER team were involved in hosting a half-day workshop as part of the ESRC FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE. The ‘Put a better foot forward’ workshop was an interactive event designed to promote more conscientious consumption of fashion, focusing on people’s footprints! Building upon the ‘Make It Real’ theme inherent to other aspects of Project TRANSFER, a number of activities were designed to highlight the backstory to where and how shoes are made; and what impact our shoes have upon environmental, economic and social sustainability. These activities included: A creative thinking exercise where people thought of innovative ways to make more sustainable shoes. Two socio-dramas where people were invited to step into the shoes of people involved in the shoe supply chain. A life-cycle analysis where people were asked to think about the relative impacts of the different parts of the shoe supply chain. The workshop was designed and run with the help of Teo Greenstreet and Nick Nuttgens and was held at a former Woolworths store on The Moor in the centre of Sheffield. This store is now being used to host a series of cultural events designed to encourage shoppers back to the high street through the provision of non-retail events and activities

'Making it Real' Installation

The ‘Making it Real’ installation was held at Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre (7-8th February 2015). Developing from the idea that overconsumption of clothing is driven in part by a disconnection from the processes that produce the products we buy; this exhibition sought to highlight the backstory to our clothing by showcasing the complex steps involved in the manufacture of a seemingly simple t-shirt. Present at the installation was Dr Rob Speranza of the South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network, who shot a documentary style video of the event. This documentary comprises interviews with the academic team, the manufacturing team and some members of the public who interacted with the exhibition. There are two versions of the video available to watch; a 3 minute summary video and the full 20 minute documentary (PENDING