footweaR
research
network
The Footwear Research Network is a global interdisciplinary space for academics, educators, and professionals with an interest in footwear to share research, connect, and collaborate.
Our primary purpose is to support the development of footwear studies and facilitate the sharing of knowledge between academia and industry, aiming to address current social, cultural, and environmental challenges. We achieve this by providing a platform that features articles, events, and resources produced by researchers and educators worldwide.
An Ode to Clogs
Iconic, ancient, unassuming yet loud! British/Swedish poet, writer and lyricist Katt Brown shares a powerfully personal relationship with clogs.
Introducing: Jo Cope
In the first of a regular feature introducing our esteemed Network contributors, we shine the spotlight on our newest addition, fashion artist and conceptual designer Jo Cope.
'Making Presence Felt': a project from the archive
Artist Fiona Candy investigates the spatial movement and energy of the city through material and audio exhibits centred on contact between the foot and ground, where many believe we are the most fundamentally in touch with our surroundings. Footwear captured in action- being worn.
Toeing the Line:
A sequence of video stories on the theme of travelling a path.
Shoe-Watching on Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street: perhaps London's most famous shoe-shopping location. Filmed during a lunch hour this seven and a half minute video observes the shoes of those passing through the popular location.
Red peep-toes and Italian heels
Jenny Hockey reflects on her own shoe stories and the inspiration behind the 3-year ESRC-funded research project ‘If the Shoe Fits: Footwear, Identity and Transition’ at the University of Sheffield (2010-2013).
More From the Footwear Research Network
Meet our internationally acclaimed network of contributors, working within the fields of sociology, anthropology, history, art, curation and fashion.
Keep up to date with footwear events and exhibitions worldwide.
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The Footwear Research Network is an outcome of the ESRC-funded research project If the Shoe Fits: Footwear Identity and Transition at the University of Sheffield (2010-2013).
Learn more here
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Watch the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ documentary to learn more about the research project and the relationship between wearers and their shoes. Filmed and produced by Sheffield Vision.
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Learn more about the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ research team and board of advisors.
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Following the success of the original ITSF project, further funding was secured in 2015 for a follow-on project, ‘If the Shoe Fits: Enabling Patient-Centred Podiatry’.
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A number of papers and publications were produced directly from the ‘If the Shoe Fits’ research and in association with the project. Access the full list here.
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In the interest of expanding and advancing the field of footwear studies, the Footwear Research Network’s contributors have put their heads together to produce a list of recommended past and present academic texts upon which to build future contributions.
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We are compiling a database of footwear-related resources. Please contact us with your suggestions, including (but not limited to):
Publications (particularly journal articles and books)
Documentaries
Footwear courses
Footwear museums and archives
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The Footwear Research Network’s museums and archives directory lists publicly available archives and museums in alphabetical order by country. The resource builds upon a study of shoe museums conducted by Charlotte Stachel and Professor Lorenzo Cantoni at the Università della Svizzera Italiana (Lugano, Switzerland).
Click here to access the Directory.
Read the full article here.
Find out how to become a network member, contributor or partner.