• Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation (CAIDI) 

The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation (CAIDI) is a research and innovation hub that advances the use of AI and data through interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact. It brings together expertise from across disciplines with industry partners to develop responsible, explainable and applied AI solutions that address complex societal and industrial challenges. CAIDI builds strategic partnerships with businesses, public organisations and research institutions to translate cutting-edge research into transformative technologies, driving innovation in sectors such as health, sustainability, housing and economic development.

• Centre for Health Equity and Sustainable Societies (CHESS) 

The Centre for Health Equity and Sustainable Societies (CHESS) is a research centre that drives health equity and social justice through research, teaching and community engagement. Bridging global and local (“GLOCAL”) priorities, CHESS fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes in Northeast London and beyond. CHESS also strengthens UEL’s impact in research, teaching excellence and innovation, supporting key priorities across the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and Research Excellence Framework (REF).

• Centre for Inclusive Research in Creative Arts (CIRCA)

The Centre for Inclusive Research in Creative Arts (CIRCA) leads innovations and interventions that address structural inequalities in the creative arts sector. CIRCA is founded on the belief that diversity, access and inclusion are the basis of innovation and creativity. Based at The Source in Stratford, CIRCA aims to diversify the talent pipeline into the creative industries, break down barriers to research and serve as an inclusive gateway to the creative industries through local, national and international collaborations with a sector-focused approach.

• Centre for Justice, Law and Society

The Centre for Justice, Law and Society provides a space for critical thinking on the role that law plays in addressing societal challenges and advancing social justice. It focuses on law, institutions and governance, using a multidisciplinary perspective with local, national and global dimensions. The Centre supports and advances scholarly research and research-led teaching, and works collaboratively with practitioners, civil society organisations and policymakers to generate impact and drive social change.

• Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging 

The Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging (CMRB) works collaboratively to build knowledge and understanding of the related issues of migration, refugees and belonging. It fosters interdisciplinary conversations and provides a space for debate and creative thinking amongst academics, practitioners, activists, migrants and refugees to make positive changes to society. CMRB’s research and community work engage with political and policy debates, as well as theoretical concerns that have both local and global relevance.

• Centre for Social Change and Justice (CSCJ)

The Centre for Social Change and Justice (CSCJ) is a cross-disciplinary research hub dedicated to addressing pressing social justice issues. It provides a forum for rigorous interdisciplinary research that both predicts and addresses social change and its effects on social equality.

CSCJ’s mission is to tackle critical issues such as racial and gender equality, economic disparities, housing, the social effects of new technologies, and the democratic processes and policies that shape these issues. The Centre bridges the gap between theoretical exploration and practical solutions, engaging with local communities, policymakers and non-governmental organisations to translate research into actionable policies.

• Centre for Work, Organisation and Technology (CWOT)

The Centre for Work, Organisation and Technology (CWOT) is a global hub for research on innovative workplaces, people management and enterprise performance, established in 2013/14. With its current director, Professor Kirk Chang, CWOT’s research, engagement and policy contributions have improved implementation strategies for technology-empowered work environments, fairer Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)–embedded management policies, ethics-inspired business operations and enterprise competitiveness.

Along with the Director, CWOT includes Dr Alina Vaduva (Ambassador), Dr Muhammad Akhtar (Associate Director for Community and Business Engagement), Professor Toyin Adisa (Associate Director for Research and Sustainability Development), ten international affiliates, seven industry business practitioners and three international research fellows. Its bi-monthly newsletters are circulated to research networks and contacts across 32 countries (300+ individuals). More than 40 UEL staff and over 20 external members have contributed to CWOT’s activities since its creation.

• Centre of FinTech 

The Centre of FinTech is a research and practice-based centre located at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, in collaboration with the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering. It is a hub for the creation and communication of practice-led knowledge that enables FinTech to be more inclusive, robust and sustainable.The Centre’s key objectives include facilitating outstanding research in FinTech, promoting FinTech education, engaging with the FinTech industry, contributing to the policy and regulatory framework of FinTech, and supporting FinTech industry projects with commercial relevance.

• Noon Centre

The Noon Centre is a research-led, multi-faceted centre based at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law (RDSBL), with over 100 active researchers, early career researchers (ECRs) and PhD students across UEL. It works with 110 global and local partners to deliver impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), human rights, sustainability and community empowerment. Since its launch in 2012, the Noon Centre has grown into a pan-institutional platform for research, policy and practice, with five areas of focus: EDI, Human Rights and Policing; Health, Wellbeing, Cultural Resilience and Community Empowerment; Sustainability, Green Economy and Climate Action; Business, Social Entrepreneurship and Ethical Finance; and Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Society. The Centre works in 24 countries and has co-organised high-level UN meetings, drafted resolutions and contributed to World Bank, Arab League and African Union policy conferences.

• RIX Research and Media

Helping people with learning disabilities to realise the benefits that digital can bring.

• STAMP

STAMP, founded in 2013, is an interdisciplinary research centre of global reputation. It conducts research in sustainability and development, green finance and accounting, public policy modelling, government–business relations and geopolitical risk. Housed in the Royal Docks School of Business and Law (RDSBL), STAMP involves over 25 staff, PhD students and external practitioners and has a wide range of institutional partners from the public and private sectors. STAMP members edit the Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies (Routledge/Taylor & Francis), which publishes eight issues annually and has been in print since 1998.