From Industrial Waste to Creative Practice: A Research-Based Graduate Education Model for Sustainable Material Development in Ceramic and Glass Art Education

The transition toward sustainable production and circular economy approaches requires sustainability principles in higher education to be integrated with research, experimentation, and design processes. This study presents and evaluates a Research-to-Product educational model implemented through two graduate courses in ceramic and glass art education. The model integrates Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Research-Based Learning (RBL), Studio-Based Learning (SBL), and Material-Driven Design within a circular economy framework. Five completed application cases based on recurring industrial waste streams were examined across material research, experimental development, technical evaluation, and final three-dimensional design stages. Industrial waste sources were identified, experimental waste-added ceramic materials were developed and evaluated, and selected materials were translated into art and design applications. In addition to the five ceramic application cases, a separate investigation into the transformation of industrial enamel frit waste into an alternative glass material is presented as an extended research outcome developed through a TÜBİTAK-funded project. Evaluation was based on experimental formulations, technical test results, process documentation, and final design outcomes. The findings demonstrate pathways for incorporating industrial wastes into ceramic materials as secondary raw materials and translating developed materials into art objects, modular applications, and functional products through recycling and upcycling. Overall, the Research-to-Product model provides a case-based educational framework for integrating ESD principles with material research and creative practice in sustainability-oriented graduate ceramic and glass art education.