The Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) held its 25th Anniversary Dinner on Thursday10 September 2015, celebrating a quarter of a century of research and development excellence. Our attendees received a unique memento for the evening's celebration.

Guidance for applying to art and design courses

The Campaign for Objects in Purgatory is a creative research project that collects the stories of uncherished gifts, which despite their negative associations for the owner, are still kept. These possessions offer rich potential for interpretation, because they usually embody a contradiction in emotional value; as much as a recipient might want to rid themselves of an uncherished gift, they may also feel compelled to keep it.

Under the heading INCREDIBLES Zellweger explores the uncanny but also spectacular side of medical body modification and toys with its psychological implications; the lengthening of limbs (phantom limbs), improved performance (plug-ins & add-ons), impossible body parts, optional aesthetics, variations and choice (from the INCREDIBLES series).

In the quest for an optimised body that incarnates beauty, wealth, health, and success, a growing number of individuals across social sectors are engaging in practices of body modification. With the advances in medical research and the popularisation of surgery, the body becomes a luxury item, a malleable design matter, which can be sculpted, sucked, lifted and invested into.

This project explores the creative and technical application of TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding in the field of contemporary decorative metalwork. Developed in the 1940s for industrial use, TIG welding has shown great potential for innovation in fine (craft)metalworking but has been slow to penetrate the subject area because of the costly investment needed in equipment.

MA Design Product student Jyoti Dash had the opportunity to show his portfolio to his dream employer

In 2010, three exhibitions articulated Zellweger's enquiry, using the exhibition format as discursive element: a joint exhibition with artist Emma Woffenden, the medical/artistic context of a group show for the benefit of a Breast Cancer Foundation, and a solo show as installation.

What's In My Stuff? is an interdisciplinary research project which brings together scientists and artists in order to explore the public’s awareness of the chemical elements used in the everyday objects we all own and use. It explores issues of sustainability, recycling and growing concerns about the scarcity and ethical sourcing of the minerals and materials that we take for granted or never knew existed but which are vital for the technology we use every day.

My teaching practice focuses on enabling students to discover and develop an independent voice and position in the fashion arena, and become critically aware, mindful practitioners