My work as Associate Professor Craft and Design sits at the intersection of craft, design, science and sustainability, exploring how creative practice can drive innovation, knowledge exchange and positive societal change. Through transdisciplinary research, I pioneer sustainable crystal-growth methodologies that bridge artistic practice, scientific inquiry and advanced manufacturing, developing new approaches to localised production and circular material systems. As a researcher, I lead funded projects, international collaborations and industry partnerships that translate research into real-world impact.
Alongside my research, I wrote and now lead the new MA Designer/Maker programme and contribute to the development of innovative, research-led and interdisciplinary curricula. As KESE Academic Lead, I support the integration of sustainability, ethics and knowledge exchange across the School of Art, helping to shape transformative learning experiences that prepare students to address complex global challenges through creative practice.
Sofie has completed her PhD titled: ‘Neo-gemstones®: An Alchemical Jeweller’s Exploration of Lab-grown Crystals and Related Technologies, Proposing Innovations Whilst Challenging Context, Terminology, and Underlying Assumptions.’ She investigated the design implications, possibilities, and limits of utilising man-made crystals in the development of jewellery designs. To support her research, she successfully secured funding from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), after which she was successfully awarded a Mary Somerville-Lehrauftragsprogramms scholarship. Sofie's research has been featured on BBC Points West News, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. For more information about her research, visit www.neo-gemstones.com.
She collaborates with Frank Menger and Liz Hingley on the development and ongoing delivery of workshops, lectures and exhibitions of the SIM Project (https://www.thesimproject.com/).
Sofie continues to support the British Academy of Jewellery as an Research Director, and hosts the BAJ podcast, for which she records and edits monthly episodes.
Sofie previously worked at CFPR as a RA and Craft Council Research Fellow as part of E3 Research England (2019-2023). She collaborated with the team using and developing equipment, novel ideas and projects, and led a range of large funding applications. She organized a conference ‘Touch: Reflections on Making’ in collaboration with the Crafts Council.
Prior to joining UWE she worked at BAJ, where she supported the owner in the role of Head of Academy carrying responsibility for the overall leadership and management of the educational institution and its team of approximately 40 members of staff. During her tenure as Head of Academy the Academy achieved the Matrix Standard, BAC accreditation, successfully passed ISI Inspections, and achieved an OFSTED Good Grade. Furthermore, the Academy was registered on ROATP and successfully met quality and performance targets of a number of awarding and subcontracting organisations. In her role Sofie oversaw the development of Level 2-6 qualifications, and achieved validation for the BA (Hons) in Jewellery Design and Production by Kingston University.
Sofie obtained the MA 'Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery' at the Royal College of Art, where her work was awarded the Theo Fennell Overall Excellence Award. Sofie was selected as One to Watch by the Design Council and awarded STROOM and Design Vlaanderen grants. Her work has been shown globally at a range of galleries/exhibitions, and pieces have been included in permanent collections. For more information about her personal practice, visit www.sofieboons.com.
Publications loading...