About
About Me
R&A International Scholar 2026/27
Chemistry & Mathematics Graduate
I’m Daka, and I'm interested in how materials science can contribute to more sustainable and circular ways of making fashion.
My interest in sustainable fashion grew through leading the Ubuntu charity fashion show at the University of St Andrews, alongside my final year research project in computational materials chemistry. These experiences made me curious about the relationship between chemistry, design, production and the wider systems behind the clothes we wear.
I am learning from researchers, designers, manufacturers, startups and craft communities working across different contexts. I want to understand where different approaches are most useful, what their limitations are, and how scientific innovation can work alongside traditional knowledge and local practice.
Sustainable fashion looks very different depending on the material, place, process and people involved. Fibres, production methods, infrastructure, geography, culture and scale all shape what a more sustainable approach can look like.
Different Contexts
The project looks at how the same sustainability challenge can require very different solutions depending on where and how clothing is produced. An approach that works for a large manufacturer may not make sense for a small studio, local craft community or emerging materials startup.
Learning Through Practice
A big part of the project is spending time with researchers, startups, manufacturers, designers and craft communities. Through visits, placements and conversations, I want to understand how these ideas work outside papers and presentations, including the compromises and practical limits that come with them.
Comparing Approaches
I’m comparing the chemistry behind different fibres, dyes, finishes, biomaterials and recycling methods, and looking at how those choices affect performance, durability and environmental impact. I’m also interested in the bigger picture around them — cost, scale, infrastructure, local knowledge and how realistic different approaches are in the places where they are actually being used.