| Kirsty Frew Kirsty Frew Lecturer in Fashion Innovation
Kirsty Frew is a Lecturer in Fashion Innovation at SCF,where she serves as Course Organiser for Year 2 and contributes to curriculum development across the undergraduate programme . With a background spanning design , buying , and garment development in Europe and the US , she brings strong cross-cultural industry perspective to her teaching. She has introduced inclusive live projects with partners such as the Special Olympics, coordinated cross-year exhibitions on tailoring and sustainability , and developed practical resources to support student learning . Her teaching integrates conceptual exploration with technical rigor , fostering reflective practice and collaborative learning while guiding students to develop their individual creative voice.
I was formally appointed to a Lecturer post in Fashion Innovation at SCF in June 2025, following earlier teaching contributions in 2024 under a Guaranteed Hours contract. In this role, I deliver undergraduate teaching across the SCF programme, act as Course Organiser for Year 2, and contribute to curriculum development, assessment,and student support across all four years,both from the UK and locally while in Shanghai. This includes in-person delivery in Shanghai , as well as online teaching , planning , and coordination from Edinburgh , ensuring continuity of curriculum and assessment across contexts. As Year 2 Course Organiser , I design briefs and teaching timetables, coordinate delivery with colleagues , and oversee assessment planning and moderation to ensure consistency and fairness. All modules are aligned with SCF course learning outcomes and contribute to the structured, credit-bearing curriculum. The Sino-foreign Joint Education Programmes Review, 2025 outlines the full range of teaching methods employed across the partnership; within this framework, my modules are structured with sequenced formative checkpoints and scheduled feedback sessions that respond to varied student needs, enabling iterative improvement and measurable progression. I also work closely with Teaching Assistants to minimise language barriers in class and studio settings. My teaching integrates conceptual exploration with rigorous technical development . Areas of focus include creative cutting , volumetric construction , modular assembly, portfolio development, and tailoring. To scaffold independent learning, I developed a CAD instruction booklet for Year 2 and contributed to the creation of a student sample book that incorporates sewn samples , fabric testing , and technical processes as a tactile reference for students. I have also strengthened cross-module coherence through coordination of the Year 2 umbrella curriculum , linking research , technical skill-building, and commercial awareness . Within semester 2 , students engage in live briefs with partners such as the Special Olympics and community organisations , embedding inclusive and sustainable practice early in their studies. To extend professional readiness, I initiated a student exhibition on tailoring, sustainability, and creative process, enabling collaboration between Year 2 and Year 3 . The exhibition provided both a public platform for student work and practical experience in photoshoot organisation , installation, and promotion; we intend to continue this as an annual event. Prior to SCF , I taught for over eight years as an educator in the UK, contributing to HND Fashion Design and Technology , co-designing a new HND in Fashion Communication, and leading graduate exhibitions and shows . Earlier roles as a designer and buyer in Europe and the USA further inform my ability to balance creativity with commercial realities in teaching. I continue to develop my academic practice through training in Equality & Diversity and Sustainability , and I am considering enrolment in a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice to build upon my existing teaching qualifications.
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