Students present Northampton Museum with footwear gift

​​Students from the University of Northampton, Indian Institute of Technology in Gandhingar (IITG) and Istanbul, Kemerburgaz University in Turkey have presented the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery with a gift of handcrafted shoes.

The shoes presented to the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery were part of a global research project; uniting staff and students, from three countries, to create footwear, printed textiles and a film documenting the project.

The research project received funding from the Turkish British Council FEED IN partnership and an Indian British Council Knowledge Exchange Partnership. This funding enabled staff and student exchanges across the three counties. These research exchanges allowed students to explored one other’s heritage as a stimulus for the creation of footwear and printed textiles designs.

Vicki Dean, Principal Lecturer at the University of Northampton’s School of The Arts, said: “The students involved in this research project were also taking part in the University’s Changemaker Certificate, the Changemaker Certificate is a programme designed to significantly enhance students’ employability by focusing on problem solving skills, developing awareness of social impact and developing entrepreneurial thinking to tackle social problems. These students looked at the parallel themes of heritage and development of traditional crafts in an international setting; specifically the idea of developing entrepreneurial capabilities within the fashion and textiles areas.

“Northampton’s shoe-making heritage has sparked inspiration for students across three countries. I’m delighted that the student exhibition has a home in Northampton – the footwear capital of the UK.”

As the UK’s first Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, the University of Northampton is dedicated to inspiring students to use their influence and knowledge to create positive social change. As part of the Changemaker Certificate, students have the opportunity to identify a social issue – either at home, in their neighbourhood or at the University – and then work on developing their skills to tackle that problem, implanting a solution.