Buddy Penfold BA PgCert MA MEd

Buddy Penfold is a Teacher Fellow, Associate Professor at De Montfort University, and Subject Lead for Contour and Textiles in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities (ADH).  She was elected as the board’s Academic Staff Governor in July 2022.

After studying Fashion and Textiles at Liverpool Art College, Buddy was awarded a Royal Society of Arts and Government sponsorship to work at Coats Viyella PLC, where she designed innovative and commercially successful knitwear ranges. Buddy then worked as a Buyer for NEXT PLC, and a Design Director at Burnley PLC, where she strengthened the company’s commercial relationships with Europe and the US, and promoted innovative design.

Buddy has a MEd in diverse teaching methods. She has worked in DMU’s Fashion, Textiles and Knitwear department with undergraduates and postgraduates.

Between 2014 and 2019, Buddy was Head of International in DMU’s ADHfaculty and Associate Professor International. During this time, she oversaw the alignment of the ADH’s international and faculty strategies, and worked with DMU’s international office and ADH faculty to promote the recruitment of international students.

Buddy’s research interests include promoting diversity within the fashion and design curriculum, and teaching practical subjects online.