Research Interests
Jia Wu's research interests include sustainable and inclusive apparel design and product development, interdisciplinary research methods, and the impact of digital transformation on these areas in the fashion industry. Her research agenda is organized around three pillars:
1) Jia is committs to advancing sustainable and inclusive design principles. Her focus is on utilizing innovative design methods to enhance the environmental responsibility of fashion products while improving the user experience for people with disabilities and enhancing well-being. 2) Jia is committs to interdisciplinary research, including apparel design, ergonomics, and textile science. This interdisciplinary approach enables her to integrate insights from different fields, providing a multifaceted perspective on her research topics. 3) Jia explores the digital transformation of the fashion industry, examining how digital technologies affect the sustainability and inclusiveness of fashion.
Jia Wu's academic work includes two main directions: peer-reviewed design scholarship and peer-reviewed publications. In addition, she uses a variety of research and design methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, user-centered design methods, innovative academic research, and patent prosecution.
Three Research Streams
The main research goal for my program of research in the Textile and Apparel discipline is:
How can researchers improve the fashion industry to ensure a more sustainable and user-centered future through sustainable and inclusive design, interdisciplinary design approaches, and utilizing the transformative power of digital technology?
Two ways to accomplish and publish my program of research:
1. Peer Reviewed Design Scholarships:
Design scholarship is a creative and intellectual work that is validated by peers and communicated broadly. As a practitioner and researcher, I seek to understand values and apply design theories and research findings innovatively.
2. Peer Reviewed Publications:
Publication in a scholarly journal is an approach to communicating the research process, method, and findings, which is validated and verified by a group of scholars with a broader audience.
Sustainable Period Underwear for Wheelchair Users
Wu. J., & McBee-Black. K. (2022). Functional Period Underwear for People with Disabilities. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado. (Acceptance rate: 43%).
Awards
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International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, 2022
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Costume Society of America Annual Conference, 2023
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Top-10 finalist in the Entrepreneur Quest (EQ) elevator pitch competition. University of Missouri,2023.
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Lee Henson Access Mizzou Award, University of Missouri, 2023.
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1st Place Award in the Research and Innovation Achievement Forum, University of Missouri, 2023
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2nd Place Award in the 39th annual RCAF (Research & Creative Activities Forum) conference, University of Missouri, 2023
Outdoor Jacket for Generation Z Wheelchair Users
Wu. J., & McBee-Black. K. & Zhao. L. (2023). Developing a Functional, Expressive, and Aesthetic Outdoor Jacket for Generation Z Wheelchair Users. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference,
Baltimore, Maryland. (Acceptance rate: 54%).
Exploring the Intersection of East and West: A Case Study of Modern Qipao Design with Sustainable Textiles
Wu, J., Tang, F., & Deng, L. (2023). Exploring the Intersection of East and West: A Case Study of Modern Qipao Design with Sustainable Textiles. Jiangsu silk.
Award:
3rd Place Award, Textile Academic Papers of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu Textile Engineering Association, 2023.
Functional Skiwear for Disabled Skiers (Dissertation in Progress)
Wu, J., Kim, J. H., & Zhao, L. (2023, July). Exploring Smart Sportswear for Sit Skiers-Human-Centered Design Approach. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. (Top Conference in Human-Centered Design Field).
Wu, J., Zhao, L., McBee-Black. K., Kopot. C., & Yong, Z. (Dissertation). A Case Study to Develop a Functional Skiwear for Sit Skiers -- User-Centered Design Method
