Alison Rafferty

Lecturer

Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business

As MA Ceramics course leader, I encourage students to take risks and challenge existing ceramic theories- aesthetically, technically, conceptually – to push the boundaries of current knowledge and research.

Starting as a ceramic studio manager, working with community groups and making bone china pieces for installation and display, I enjoyed the way ceramics (like food) has a tacit way of bringing people together.

Moving to academia, I used my technical knowledge on research projects aiming to preserve craft skills through the integration of current technology. In 2018 I successfully industrialised a digital engraving method which continues protect the last remaining industrial ceramic brand using the tissue transfer print process.

I have worked with the ceramic industry for over a decade, and with partners and collaborators including Ralph Lauren Home, Harrods, Fortnum & Masons, Barnaby Gates and Craven Dunnill Jackfield to design and produce products for homes, restaurants and hotels all over the world.

Academic qualifications

  • MA Ceramic Design
  • BA 3D Design (Ceramics)
  • PGCHE

Expertise

  • Industrial tableware production and design
  • Underglaze tissue transfer printing
  • Studio manufacture of bone china/parian interior products (inc. tableware)
  • Interpretation of ceramic design into other media
  • 2D and 3D CAD

Enterprise and commercial interests

Accolades

  • New Years Honours Award- Made in Britain - English Home Magazine - Burleigh x Barnaby Gates Dec 2023
  • Wall Tile of the Year - The Tile Association Awards- Burleigh Calico Collection 2022
  • Times Higher Education Awards - Honourable Mention- Most Innovative Contribution to Business University Collaboration - 2018
  • New Designers Pulse Award - 2012

Exhibitions

  • Top Drawer, London 2022 - Burleigh (stand design & installation)
  • Ambiente, London Frankfurt 2020 - Burleigh (stand design & installation)
  • Top Drawer, London 2020 Burleigh (stand design & installation)
  • “Blood Swept the land and the seas with Red” - Tower of London- 2014 Paul Cummins & Tom Piper (maker)
  • Stoke-on-Trent Transformation Garden, Chelsea Flower Show 2013 (maker)

Teaching

  • Course Leader
  • Module Leader
  • Academic Mentor

Publications

  • Independent ‘How to refresh your Garden for Spring’ April 17th 2023
  • Country Town & House ‘The Best British Tea sets’ April 19th 2023
  • Inside the Factory Series 6: Mugs BBC 2022
  • Financial Times Property Listings ‘How to style a Home with Ceramics’ October 12th 2021
  • Financial Times ‘Resilient Beauty of Ceramics’ September 25th 2021
  • Financial Times Weekend ‘Hurley Burleigh’ March 6th 2020
  • Great Pottery Throw Down- Series 3 Semi Final Judge 2020
  • The Independent ‘Put on a good Spread’ 15th December 2019
  • Homes & Gardens Online ‘Burleigh Pottery Launches beautiful new collection’ 8th Dec 2019
  • The Independent ‘Deck the Tables’ 1st December 2019
  • The Independent ‘Frost Bright’ 10th November 2019
  • Daily Mail ‘A feast for the Eyes’ 11th October 2019
  • House and Garden ‘Everything you need to know about Ralph Lauren x Burleigh’s collaboration, including how to style it’ June 2019
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021