RDCS Innovation Day launches new space for collaboration

The Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) at the University of East London (UEL) has officially launched its new RDCS Innovation Day, a monthly initiative designed to open the centre’s spaces, networks and opportunities to students, founders, creatives and the wider community.

Held on the third Thursday of each month, the series invites participants to drop in, explore, and engage with the people and programmes shaping innovation at RDCS. The first event set the tone for what promises to become a dynamic, inclusive and hands-on platform for collaboration and growth.

The day emphasised accessibility and participation. The morning began with Sign and Say, led by Rix Inclusive Research, where attendees were introduced to Makaton and encouraged to rethink how inclusive communication influences the design of spaces and services. The session created an open and welcoming environment, reinforcing RDCS’s commitment to inclusive innovation.

For entrepreneurs, the Sustainable Business Growth session offered a gateway into TerraDock. Featuring insights from Barclays Eagle Labs, participants gained practical advice on moving from idea to growth, with a focus on real-world support systems, networks and actionable next steps.

Meanwhile, those still shaping their ideas found value in Off the Pitch, hosted in collaboration with UEL Career Zone and Millionaires Club. The session provided a space to test early-stage concepts, practise pitching, and receive honest, constructive feedback, showing that early ideas don’t need to be perfect to be shared.

Creativity and wellbeing were also central to the day. In a collaborative workshop with CRAFTZEN, attendees contributed to the design of the RDCS Community Hub through hands-on arts and crafts. The session blended creative expression with community-building, allowing participants to actively shape a space they are part of.

A standout moment of the day was an honest and reflective talk on unconventional entrepreneurial journeys. From Music Psychology to Founder explored the realities, pivots and personal decisions behind building a business, with a particular focus on women leading and navigating non-linear career paths.

The day concluded with an evening session hosted by the Newham Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Network at the UEL USS Campus. Bringing together professionals and aspiring leaders, the session fostered meaningful conversations around leadership, enterprise and future opportunities.

Jameelah Webster, Community Manager at the RDCS, said: 

The RDCS Innovation Day was created to open everything up, our spaces, our people, and the opportunities that sit within the centre. We wanted it to feel accessible, where anyone can come in, find their entry point, and start engaging in a way that works for them. Seeing people move between sessions, connect, and get involved straight away really showed the value of creating something that’s both open and action- focused.”

RDCS Innovation Day is designed to be flexible and accessible. Attendees are encouraged to engage in a way that suits them, whether that means joining a single session or exploring multiple throughout the day. More than just an event, it serves as an entry point into the wider RDCS ecosystem, offering a space to connect, experiment and take the first step toward new ideas and opportunities.

With its strong focus on inclusion, creativity and real-world impact, RDCS Innovation Day is set to become a key fixture in the Royal Docks’ growing innovation landscape.