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Research Profile

  • Rachel Garwood has over 30 years experience working in the leather industry. During this time, she obtained her BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology with Analytical Techniques and MSc in Leather Technology. 

    From 1989-2008 she worked for BLC, Leather Technology Centre in Northampton undertaking several roles on an international level including resolving technical issues within the leather manufacturing process for tanners, management of EU research projects, business innovation and finally technical support and training throughout the leather supply chain.

    In 2008, Rachel joined the University of Northampton (UoN) as a Senior Lecturer within the ICLT and became the Director in 2011. Current responsibilities involve the overall management of ICLT including people management, budget management, business development, international relationships/collaborations, course development and lecturing at Masters level. During her time at the UoN she has worked closely with the commercial sector and tailored ICLT’s portfolio of education programmes, training courses and research to align closely with industry needs, addressing the whole leather value chain from live animal to bespoke end products “Hide to High street”.

    Rachel is a Fellow of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC), a Trustee for both the Museum of Leathercraft and Leather Conservation Centre, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Curriers and a Freeman of London.

  • Subject Leader for Leather

    Programme Leader for Certificate of Higher Education in Leather Technology (level 4)

    Module Leader for LEAM019 Hide to High Street (level 7)

  • Rachel has been involved in several publicly funded research projects during her career.

    • (2014-16) EU funded project looking at the development of the Vietnamese domestic footwear market to meet European requirements and hence increase exports.
    • (1997-98) DTI funded project looking at different market structures for sheepskin and bovine raw material world-wide. The aim was to identify the most stable system encouraging quality which could possibly be incorporated within the UK. This involved visits to hide and skin markets in Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and UK concluding in a final report.
    • (1995-97) EC funded project coordinated by the Spanish research group AIICA entitled “Optimisation of Hide Manufacture”. The role of BLC within the project was to investigate the effect of enzyme addition to a specified hair save process.

  • For publications, projects, datasets, research interests and activities, view Rachel Garwood’s research profile on Pure, the University of Northampton’s Research Explorer.

  • BLC Publications (circulation restricted to BLC industrial members worldwide)

    BLC Information Documents

    • Garwood et al, 1997, ID-184 Current Worldwide Marketing for Raw Sheepskin Material and Quality.
    • Garwood, 1996, ID-172, Evaluation of microscopical techniques to assess opening up in sun dried buffalo hide – light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cryo-scanning electron microscopy.
    • Garwood, 1996, ID-178, Uses and applications of microscopy in the leather industry – a practical approach to process control and leather manufacture.
    • Garwood et al, 1996, ID-177, The examination of collagen ultrastructure by cryo-scanning electron microscopy.
    • Garwood, 1996, ID-171, Veininess.

    BLC Laboratory Reports

    • Garwood, 1997, LR-266, The use of isometric tension to monitor the alkaline swelling of bovine hide.
    • Garwood, 1997, LR-252, Evaluation of electronic noses for the detection of staleness in sheepskin and bovine rawstock – part II.
    • Garwood, 1996, LR-244, Evaluation of electronic noses for the detection of staleness in sheepskin and bovine rawstock- part I.

    BLC Journal Articles

    • Garwood, July/Aug 1997, Mode of enzyme action on immunised hair and epidermis.
    • Garwood, June 1997, Hair save processing and the use of unhairing enzymes – small scale and commercial trials.
    • Garwood et al, June 1997, The market structure of sheepskin raw material – a benchmarking approach.
    • Garwood, Jan 1997, The measurement of alkaline swelling in bovine hide.
    • Garwood, Oct 1996, Hair save processing optimisation for bovine leathers.
    • Garwood June/July 1995, The interaction of soaking and liming in the processing of sun dried buffalo hide.
    • Garwood, May 1995, Veins.
    • Garwood, April 1995, Evaluation of microscopical techniques to assess opening up in hides.
    • Garwood, March 1995, Microscopy and problem solving – part III.
    • Garwood, Feb 1995, Microscopy and problem solving – part II.
    • Garwood, Jan 1995, Microscopy and problem solving – part I.
    • Garwood, Sept/Oct 1994, The importance of maintaining the quality of sheepskins – initiative to educate sheep farmers.
    • Garwood, May 1994, A problem shared… “green necks and pimples!”
    • Garwood, Aug 1993, Chemical damage.
    • Garwood, April 1993, “Out damned spot”.
    • Garwood, November 1992, Works problems.

    External Publications

    • Garwood, 2016 Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association (JALCA), vol 111 issue 8 (p283-291), Leather Education – Preserving the Past… Investing in the Future.
    • Garwood et al, 2015, Journal of Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (JSLTC), Volume 98 (2), Effect of Hyaluronic Acid on the Properties of Chrome-Tanned Leather.
    • Garwood & Redwood, 2010, Textile Institute, How new consumer power is defining activity in the tannery.
    • Garwood & Addy, 1997, World Leather (vol 10), Microscopy and problem solving.
    • Garwood et al, 1997, Journal of American Leather Chemists Association (JALCA), vol 92 (1), Methods for improved process control in the leather industry.
    • Garwood, 1996, MSc thesis – Investigations into the effects of enzyme addition to a simple hair save process.
    • Garwood, 1995 Journal of American Leather Chemists Association (JALCA), vol 90 (11), Uses and applications of microscopy in the leather industry – a practical approach to process control and leather manufacture.
    • Garwood, in proceedings of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists 1994 Conference, Problem solving in the leather industry.
    • Garwood et al, in proceedings to 22nd IULTCS Congress 1993, The examination of collagen ultrastructure by cryo-scanning electron microscopy.