Centre for Work, Organisation and Technology (CWOT)
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Centre for Work, Organisation and Technology (CWOT)
The Centre for Work, Organisation, and Technology (CWOT) is a research and knowledge-exchange centre in the Royal Docks School of Business and Law at the University of East London. We study how work, organisations, and technology evolve in the UK and globally. Our work explores employment, organisational practices, labour markets, and the impact of data, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) on working lives.
We bring together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to design fair, inclusive and productive futures of work. CWOT succeeds the former Centre for Innovation Management and Enterprise (CIME), extending its strengths in innovation, entrepreneurship and organisational change while placing technology and data at the centre of our mission.
About CWOT
Our purpose is to understand how work and organisations are changing, including new organisational forms, shifting labour markets, and the adoption of digital technologies across sectors.
We combine academic research with applied projects co-created with employers, unions, policymakers and local communities.
Our aims include
- Producing interdisciplinary research on work, organisations and technology.
- Developing evidence-based insights on digital transformation, AI, people analytics, new employment models and workplace wellbeing.
- Supporting organisations to implement responsible, inclusive and data-driven people practices.
- Contributing to policy debates on good work, labour market inclusion, and governance of workplace technologies.
CWOT aligns with UEL’s commitment to being a careers-led, inclusive university that prepares students and organisations for the future of work.
Our work
CWOT’s work is organised around themes that address current workplace challenges and support collaboration across sectors.
Main themes include:
- Digital transformation and responsible AI in organisations.
- People analytics, big data and evidence-based HRM.
- Employee–employer relations and psychological contracts.
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at work.
- Business innovation, entrepreneurship and new organisational forms.
- Skills, learning and employability in technology-intensive environments.
- Work regulation and labour standards in the digital economy.
- HR best practice, the future of work and future leadership.
We support projects, consultancy, executive education and public engagement, connecting scholarship with practical tools, policy briefings and practitioner events.
Research and knowledge exchange
We use qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches, including people analytics and organisational data, to generate insights for employers and decision-makers. Many projects involve partnerships with businesses, public services and third-sector organisations.
Indicative research areas:
- HR analytics and data-driven decision-making.
- Algorithmic management, monitoring technologies and worker autonomy.
- Remote, hybrid and flexible working models.
- Leadership, organisational culture and change in digital contexts.
- Innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship and small business development in East London and beyond.
- Work design, engagement and mental health in technology-rich workplaces.
Outputs include journal articles, working papers, policy reports, case studies and accessible briefs. We encourage co-produced work with employers and communities.
Policy and practice
We aim to influence organisational practice and public policy on work, technological change and fair work standards.
Our activities include:
- Providing evidence and guidance on responsible HR analytics and AI adoption.
- Supporting inclusive hybrid and flexible work policies.
- Working with local and regional bodies on employment, skills and innovation in East London.
- Advising on ethical frameworks, transparency and employee voice in deploying monitoring and algorithmic management.
We collaborate with unions, employer associations, regulators and professional bodies to promote dignity, fairness and sustainable performance.
Projects
CWOT manages a portfolio of research and knowledge-exchange projects, ranging from exploratory studies to multi-partner funded programmes.
Current areas of project work include:
- CIPD-funded project on positive action in organisations.
- People analytics implementation and its impact on HR decision-making, fairness and trust.
- Digital transformation and HR capability-building with businesses in East London.
- Remote and hybrid work models and their implications for leadership, training, collaboration and wellbeing.
- Workplace interventions to strengthen engagement, inclusion and mental health.
- Sector-focused studies on technology adoption and work redesign in professional services, public administration and SMEs.
Each project aims to deliver academically robust and practical outputs such as frameworks, toolkits and tailored recommendations.
Our team
CWOT brings together experts in HRM, people analytics, organisational behaviour, business management, leadership and innovation. Senior mentors and an advisory structure support our relevance to practice and UEL strategy.
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Director
Professor Toyin Adisa is the Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Technology (CWOT)
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Associate Director of Research and Sustainable Development
Dr Hossein Heidarian Ghaleh is CWOT's Associate Director of Research and Sustainable Development
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Associate Director for Knowledge Exchange and Community Development
Dr Umaima Haider is CWOT's Associate Director for Knowledge Exchange and Community Development
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Research Mentor, Newsletter Editor and Board Member
Professor Kirk Chang is CWOT's Research Mentor, Newsletter Editor and Board Member
CWOT collaborates with colleagues across RDSBL, the Inter-Connected Centre (ICC), the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE), the University Research Office, and other faculties, including doctoral and postgraduate researchers. We also welcome visiting scholars and practitioners.
Events
We host seminars, workshops, roundtables and public events that connect academics, students, employers and policymakers.
Events include:
- Research seminars on AI and work, people analytics and organisational change.
- Practitioner briefings for HR professionals on data-driven HR and ethical technology use.
- Student-focused guest lectures, careers panels and project showcases.
- Joint events with external partners on fair work, skills and innovation.
- The annual Academic Hangout, which brings together experts to discuss emerging issues in work and technology.
Using Techonology for Teaching, Learning & Research
Thursday, 21 May, 2026
Join us in person to explore how technology can boost your teaching, learning, and research efforts! Whether you're a student, educator, or researcher, this event is packed with practical tips and cool tools to make your academic journey easier and more fun.
Publications and resources
Our outputs translate research into practical guidance for academics, practitioners and policymakers.
Types of resources:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
- Policy briefs on labour market regulation, governance and HR practice.
- Practitioner reports, toolkits and case studies on people analytics, hybrid work and inclusive HR strategies.
- Blogs and commentary on developments in work, technology and employment relations.
Education and student engagement
CWOT contributes to undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes in RDSBL. We support a careers-led curriculum that integrates research on work, organisations and technology.
We support students through:
- Teaching that integrates CWOT research into modules on HRM, organisational behaviour, leadership and innovation.
- Opportunities to join research projects, dissertations and work-based learning with partner organisations.
- Skills workshops on data literacy, ethical technology use and evidence-based management.
- Support for doctoral and early-career researchers working on related topics.
Partnerships
Partnerships are central to CWOT’s mission. We collaborate with employers, public-sector organisations, unions, professional bodies and community groups.
Areas of collaboration:
- Joint research and evaluation projects on digital transformation and HR practice.
- Co-developed interventions on people analytics, wellbeing and inclusive recruitment.
- Advisory and consultancy support for responsible technology and evidence-based HRM.
- Contributions to networks focused on the future of work, good work standards and innovation ecosystems.
We prioritise partnerships that support good work, skills development and inclusive growth in East London.
Advisory Board Members
- Professor Gbolahan Gbadamosi – Bournemouth University
- Professor Benjamin Laker – University of Reading
- Professor Mayowa Babalola – University of Western Australia
- Professor Issa Abdulraheem – University of Abuja
- Professor Andrew Timming – Alfaisal University
- Dr John Mendy – University of Lincoln
- Professor Sam Aryee – University of Surrey
- Professor Chidiebere Ogbonnaya – King’s College London
- Sarah Jo Loveday – Senior HR Specialist, NED
- Dr Opeoluwa Aiyenitaju – Manchester Metropolitan University
Get involved
We welcome collaboration with organisations, researchers, students and policymakers interested in the future of work and technology. Opportunities include research partnerships, commissioned analysis, training, event participation and student project supervision.