Emma Hague

When put on the spot I call myself a researcher and project manager, although this belies the variety of work I’ve been involved with since I graduated with a BSc in Anthropology in 2006. I spent 5 years working with fibre growers and textile artisans in Peru to build a vertically integrated textile and fashion system with a grassroots organisation I co-founded, called Awamaki.  Since then I’ve worked on similar micro-local initiatives here in the UK, founding Bristol Textile Quarter, South West England Fibreshed and co-founding the Bristol Cloth.

At the other extreme, I’ve also spent three years working at a global level on sustainable natural resource development with specific expertise in indigenous peoples’ rights and community engagement. Rural economy, natural resources, community empowerment and sustainable supply chains are the common threads which tie together all the projects in my portfolio, as well as marrying my personal interests in alternative economy, agroecology, artisan crafts, gardening and food.

I now live with my partner on a smallholding in Gloucestershire, embarking on a steep learning curve to steward it back to a productive smallholding, accompanied by a growing herd of Golden Guernsey goats.