Impact and innovation

UEL's research and innovation activities help develop practical solutions to sustainability challenges while creating opportunities for collaboration with businesses, communities and public organisations.

Our researchers are exploring new uses for sustainably sourced materials in construction and fashion, while working with local communities and industry partners to support their development and adoption.

We continue to reduce food waste, tackle food poverty and support biodiversity through projects across East London, including local rewilding initiatives.

Global partnerships

Our partnership with India, strengthened through the ENERGISE project, supports collaborative research, knowledge exchange and innovation in renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

 

Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability

The Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) is at the heart of UEL's ambition to create a leading hub for sustainable innovation at Royal Albert Dock.

Bringing together research, enterprise and community engagement, RDCS acts as a living testbed for sustainable solutions and supports the development of the circular economy. It also contributes to the Mayor of London's Zero Carbon Accelerator programme.

A UEL student using a microscope in a lab located in the Centre for Sustainability building

Research and innovation facilities

Through specialist Demonstrator Labs, including facilities focused on renewable energy and sustainable materials, businesses can test low-carbon technologies in real-world conditions before investing in them.

The UK Centre for AI in the Public Sector, co-led with the London Borough of Newham, supports the responsible use of artificial intelligence through research in Green Data and Applied AI Governance. The centre provides a safe environment for organisations to test and evaluate new AI applications before wider deployment.

Through these initiatives and partnerships, UEL is helping to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both local communities and wider society.

  • Our research

    Our dynamic research community is organised into Institutes, Centres and Groups. These provide a focus for our cutting-edge research.