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Mary-Ann Ball

Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Staff Group(s)
Fashion marketing, management and communication

Role

Mary-Ann holds the position of Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for MA Fashion Marketing at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), where her role extends to lecturing on various other postgraduate courses within the department, including MA Fashion Communications, MA International Fashion Management, and MA Luxury Fashion Brand Management. Her multifaceted role involves not only guiding the next generation of fashion industry leaders through their academic journey but also fostering practical skills that are indispensable in the modern, dynamic world of fashion.

Delivering a robust educational experience in MA Fashion Marketing, Mary-Ann aims to  integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. Her teaching encompasses a thorough exploration of core marketing principles, underpinned by direct and indirect engagement with a diverse range of fashion brands. This approach facilitates a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges effectively. Collaborating extensively with academic colleagues from a number of universities, Mary-Ann ensures the curriculum is reflective of the latest industry practices and trends, thus equipping students with the necessary skills and insights to excel in the competitive fashion sector.

A highlight of Mary-Ann’s contributions to NTU is her leadership in the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project in partnership with Humber College, Canada. This initiative stands as the most extensive online international learning endeavour ever incorporated into the curriculum of both participating institutions. The COIL project brings together students from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds, tasking them to function as simulated consultancy agencies. They are presented with live industry briefs, mirroring real-world professional environments. This innovative approach not only bridges geographical and cultural gaps but significantly bolsters students' employability by honing vital skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and the ability to collaborate on an international scale.

In addition to her role in COIL, Mary-Ann spearheads the Personal Project module across the MA Fashion Management, Marketing and Communication department, a cornerstone of the curriculum where students undertake extensive research projects in their chosen areas of specialisation. This module is meticulously designed to refine students’ research skills, offering a robust blend of academic rigour and industry relevance. The emphasis is on cultivating an analytical mindset and an in-depth understanding of the fashion sector, ensuring that students are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to the industry upon graduation, as well as laying a solid foundation for those aspiring to further their education in postgraduate studies, including PhD studies.

Career overview

Before joining NTU, my career in fashion retail and publishing provided a rich tapestry of experiences, shaping my expertise in both consumer-focused and B2B environments. Initially, my role in a publishing company was pivotal in crafting and executing B2B communication campaigns, refining my capabilities in strategic communication and campaign management.

My entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of Indah, a venture committed to retailing ethically sourced products from Asia and Africa, and Donna Bella, a women's accessory store. Operating these businesses, I honed my skills in sourcing, buying, visual merchandising, store design, and the comprehensive management of business operations, including marketing and staff oversight. These roles demonstrated my adeptness in creating engaging retail environments and managing teams, particularly during the organisation and design of seasonal pop-up stores.

My entrepreneurial flair continued with securing the distribution rights for Malu Jewellery, an Italian jewellery brand, across the UK and Ireland. This role expanded my expertise to include logistics, retailer networking, promotion, public relations, and the organisation and management of trade show exhibits.

Each of these experiences contributed to a well-rounded understanding of both retail and wholesale dynamics, consumer engagement, and effective B2B strategies. This diverse background, marked by a blend of entrepreneurship, strategic communication, and operational management, has equipped me with a multifaceted perspective, invaluable in my academic role at NTU, where I aim to bridge theory with real-world application.

Research areas

My research interests encompass two primary domains: the sustainability-centric initiatives of ReTuna Återbruksgalleria and the pedagogic advancements propelled by Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects.

My primary focus lies in the pioneering realm of ReTuna Återbruksgalleria, the world's first shopping center dedicated exclusively to recycled and upcycled goods. My research dissects the intricate fabric of this innovative business model, spotlighting its municipal ownership and the collaborative dynamics underpinning its operations. By delving into ReTuna's historical development, from conception to realisation, I aim to chart the trajectory of its evolution and identify the catalysts and milestones pivotal to its success. Moreover, the study probes into the symbiotic relationship between ReTuna and the local council, a union that fortifies the center's commitment to sustainability and recycling, setting a blueprint for replication and adaptation in different cultural and regulatory landscapes, notably the UK.

Parallel to the ReTuna research, I am deeply invested in pedagogic studies revolving around COIL projects. These projects are instrumental in fostering international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding among students, enriching their educational experience through technology-enhanced learning environments. My research in this arena seeks to validate and refine these collaborative methodologies, ensuring they are effectively integrated into curricula to maximize their educational impact.

This dual-focused research endeavor not only contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable enterprises and innovative educational paradigms but also strives to offer actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs alike. Through this multifaceted research portfolio, my objective is to be at the forefront of advocating for sustainability in business practices and pioneering pedagogic approaches that resonate with the demands of the contemporary educational landscape.

Course(s) I teach on