Research

Smartwear revolution

Research Areas

The Smartwear Revolution research project is a transdisciplinary undertaking organized across three working groups — Technology & Textiles, Art & Design, and Social Justice — together with a Researching the Research initiative that documents and reflects on how the project itself is co-developed. Each working group brings distinct expertise and methodologies to the codesign of smart fibres and garments designed to support trunk, arm, and leg movement for People with Lived Experience (PLEX) of neuromuscular weakness, older adults, caregivers, and healthcare workers.

Technology & Textiles

Smartwear Revolution combines clothing and technology in an entirely new way. It creates smart fabrics with special fibres that can help support movement, improve strength, and make everyday tasks easier and safer. Our smartwear can include tools such as sensors, movement supports, power sources, controls, and artificial intelligence (AI), all built directly into the fabric. Because our technology is part of the clothing itself, smartwear can feel more natural, comfortable, and easy to use.

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Social Justice

The Social Justice Working Group (SJWG) actively engages People with Lived Experience (PLEX) to co-design and co-develop our Smartwear Technology. Guided by disability and social justice principles and frameworks (e.g., WHO Assistive Technology framework), SJWG invites and supports the full participation of People with Lived Experience (PLEX) within Smartwear. SJWG facilitates PLEX engagement through interviews and focus groups and supports the training of facilitators, within TTWG and ADWG to join and actively engage PLEX in this work.

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Art & Design

The Smartwear Revolution project includes numerous opportunities for artists, performers, and designers to respond creatively through an artist-in-residence program and a series of open calls for exhibitions, live performances, dress events, and community engagement initiatives. These activities will culminate in a series of public-facing art events and Art & Technology festivals. The festivals will be fully hybrid, featuring works created for virtual platforms alongside physical exhibitions and accompanied by a publication.

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Researching the Research

Researching the Research is a nested, ongoing reflection and analysis of the strategies used to facilitate interdisciplinarity within the NFRF-T Smartwear Revolution team, and relationships between researchers and PLEX. Researching the Research aims to document our research process in order to share with community partners and the public, to foster understanding & collaboration between team members across disciplines, and to formalize and publish best practices and methods for future large interdisciplinary projects that center persons with lived experience.

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