Our research
Our Research landing page
Research at UEL
At UEL, we deliver high impact projects from a dynamic exciting research environment.
Our research is all about people, change and making the world a better place. Our academics come together with expertise and perspectives from different backgrounds, experiences and fields of study to strive towards a happier, healthier future.
The internet has turned the world on its head. We are more connected than we’ve ever been but as we connect more, we also connect differently. Our academics are studying ways to make the internet safer, use new connections to protect the vulnerable and support diverse voices online, on stage, in healthcare and wherever else we can.
Without our precious planet, we are lost. At UEL, we are rebuilding the way we think about how we protect our planet from the ground up. From the smallest bee-friendly garden or green roof to the largest computer networks and vast peatlands, we see sustainability as an essential responsibility.
Health is more than an occasional visit to the doctor. Our academics explore health and wellbeing as a part of a bigger picture of equality, education and daily life. We work closely with communities to uncover their needs and develop solutions which are suited to them. We believe strongly in the power of people to make changes in their own communities.
Research integrity and ethics
San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA): UEL’s commitments
The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) was established in order to foster a culture of best practice in research assessment. It advocates:
- Moving away from the use of journal-based metrics, such as Impact Factors to assess research and researchers
- A holistic evaluation of research and the consideration of diverse contributions beyond publications.
DORA aligns with principles outlined in the highly influential Metric Tide report, i.e.:
- Robustness
- Humility
- Transparency
- Diversity
- Reflexivity
UEL became a DORA signatory in 2021. By endorsing DORA, we contribute to a cultural shift in research evaluation, prioritizing the integrity and impact of scholarly contributions. This commitment aligns with our dedication to a research assessment system that embodies true academic excellence.
As a DORA signatory, UEL is committed to upholding the ethos of transparent and unbiased evaluation of research, inclusive of a sensitive, nuanced and non-prejudicial approach to using bibliometric data. Our commitment includes:
- The avoidance of using Journal-Based Metrics: UEL refrains from using metrics such as Journal Impact Factor as a proxy for quality, thus, the content of a paper is much more important than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it was published.
- Transparent Evaluation Criteria: We explicitly define and communicate criteria for hiring, tenure, promotion, and research assessment.
- Comprehensive Research Assessment: UEL evaluates the value and impact of all research outputs, including datasets and software, employing a broad range of impact measures.
In accordance with this, we have issued a Responsible Use of Research Metrics statement. Further information regarding RURM is given below.
The Responsible Use of Research Metrics Statement in the context of DORA
In support of our DORA commitments, UEL has implemented a Responsible Use of Research Metrics (RURM) statement. Focussing on the responsible use of quantitative data and indicators the RURM statement outlines the set of principles by which research evaluation and assessment is conducted at UEL.
University of East London Responsible Use of Research Metrics Statement
Responsible metrics involve appropriate use of quantitative indicators in research governance, management, and assessment. The University of East London encourages the use of “responsible metrics”, defined in the HEFCE commissioned report ‘The Metric Tide’, as a framework for evaluating our research activities.
Aligning with the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and principles from the Metric Tide report, along with guidance from key funders like UKRI and Wellcome Trust, the following principles guide the practical use of quantitative metrics at UEL to assess research performance, ensuring integrity, fairness, and transparency in the process.
Guiding Principles
Robustness
- Metrics at UEL will be accurate and comprehensive, noting limitations when applicable. Research metrics should be applied at the appropriate level of granularity e.g. journal level metrics will not be used to infer individual article quality.
Humility
- Metrics will complement, not replace, expert assessment and peer review.
Transparency
- Assessment criteria and quantitative data will be transparent and accessible so that those being assessed can test and verify the results.
Diversity
- Disciplinary differences will be considered, and biases in indicators acknowledged and addressed. Equality, diversity, and inclusion will be prioritised, and research assessment activities will be adapted to the scale of research, balancing objectivity, and subjectivity.
Reflexivity
- Potential systemic effects of metrics usage will be recognised and addressed promptly in response.
References:
Wilsdon, J., et al. (2015). The Metric Tide: Report of the Independent Review of the Role of Metrics in Research Assessment and Management. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4929.1363
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1.4m
UEL has received over £1.4million in research funding to study youth cybercrime and child online harms in the UK, EU and Africa since 2020
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3.2m
The Baby Dev Lab has received £3.2 million in external funding since 2019, from funders including the European Research Council
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8000
UEL researchers conducted the largest survey of youth cybercrime in the EU ever undertaken with 8000 respondents in 8 countries
Our Research Centres
We believe that the best research happens when people work together. Our research institutes are specialised hubs of experts.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN ONLINE FROM HARM - PROFESSOR JULIA DAVIDSON OBE
This research has led to several impacts including: influencing online harm policies, internet service regulation and the development of the UK Safety Tech Sector; and development of a child online protection policy and five-year implementation plan in Rwanda.
As part of our 2028 vision for the University, we have founded new collaborative cross-school, multidisciplinary research centres to tackle the big issues. We also have smaller dedicated research groups within schools for focused research and study.
Research Ethics Handbook
Our Research Ethics Handbook ensures that research projects at the University of East London are conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal, and professional frameworks, obligations and standards.
The handbook outlines the University’s expected standards for good research practice and compliance and provides guiding principles and standards to assist all student, academic and staff researchers when completing applications for ethical approval.
The core principles and values of conducting high quality research should be understood and upheld by all researchers. Striving for research excellence and engaging with the practical, ethical and intellectual challenges inherent in research, are essential to support a culture of research integrity and good research practice, amongst the research community and its stakeholders.
The Research Ethics handbook includes information on:
- Ethics by Design - at the planning stage of a research project, researchers should consider the ethical implications of the project, e.g., recruitment of participants, permissions that may be required and the location of the project
- Applying for ethical approval – practical advice on how to complete an ethics application form for research projects that involve human participants, or personal, or sensitive data
- Creating recruitment documents for participants e.g., a Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form
- Guidance on how to compile essential documents such as a gatekeeper permission request letter, debrief sheet and confidentiality agreement
- Using social media for data collection for research projects
- Compiling a risk assessment, including overseas risk assessments
- Data protection and data management
- Useful links to legal regulations, organisations and professional bodies and UEL policies and UEL departments.
Research Institutes
Research Excellence
We would like to thank the 238 researchers who contributed to our 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission. Our academics are committed to high quality research which is why 92% of UEL's overall research was distinguished as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.