Year of Science
Year of Science
2024 is UEL’s ‘Year of Science’, culminating in the arrival of the British Science Festival on our Docklands campus in September. We are marking the occasion through a series of exciting events showcasing our ground-breaking research and activity in areas such as sustainability, health and early years.
The Year of Science will explore how technology and AI are impacting lives, careers and communities in a variety of ways, and how we can use science to create a greener, fairer and healthier world.
Since our inception in 1898, we’ve been committed to providing a practical careers-first education for underrepresented communities. We've always celebrated science and innovation in its many forms; from the intersection between science, engineering and the built environment through to science in music, art and fashion.
We believe science is for everyone and plays an important role in everything from culture and sport to technology and healthcare.
The British Science Festival is coming to UEL
The highlight of the Year of Science will be the British Science Association’s prestigious British Science Festival coming to the University from 11-15 September 2024.
The British Science Festival is 193 years old and 2024 will be the first time in 22 years that it has been held in London.
The Year of Science is an inclusive experience. It will provide a legacy for science engagement in east London by informing and thrilling a range of audiences, including young people and communities who do not regularly engage with science. We will also promote STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) to new audiences and communities.
Big Manny to headline British Science Festival
Science content creator and social media sensation Big Manny will headline this year’s British Science Festival, a five-day event running from 11 to 15 September at the University of East London.
Read the full storyCelebrate the Year of Science with us
We're thrilled to be hosting nearly 100 free events across East London with the British Science Association as part of the British Science Festival. This is a historic moment for UEL, but also for the east London community as our academics are presenting their cutting-edge research on a national stage.
Want to get involved? Here are some of the events we are hosting.
Black in Science, Dr Naida Redgrave
Wednesday 11 - Sunday 15 Septem (installation)
Did you know that only around 1% of all professors in the UK are Black? Dr Naida has developed an interactive AR installation that aims to combat these statistics and celebrate the many faces behind research. Drop in.
Sonic adventures, Dr Tommaso Perego
Sunday 13 September, 3-4.30pm
Join Dr Tommaso to get hands-on with the complex technology used to better understand sonic movement. Discover how we might perceive our environment through sound. Book now.
I, Human, Dr Alexander Thomas
Saturday 14 September, 2-3pm
Understand with Dr Alexander the ideas and fantasies that animate the imaginations of those in the transhumanist movement. What might it mean for our future on Earth? Book now.
A smart act to follow, Dr Evi Stamatiou
Sunday 15 September, 11.30am-5pm
Feeling unmotivated? You're not alone. Dr Evi and her team are tackling this problem using performance techniques in VR. Come and try it out! Drop-in.
DataDriven Earth, Dr Renata Brandao
Sunday 15 September, 11.30-5pm
Communicating the consequences of the climate crisis requires a universal language. Data could be the answer. Using VR headsets, navigate the intricate web of climate data. Drop in.
DataDriven Earth, Dr Renata Brandao
Sunday 15 September, 11.30-5pm
Communicating the consequences of the climate crisis requires a universal language. Data could be the answer. Using VR headsets, navigate the intricate web of climate data. Drop in.
The Museum of Consciousness, Carl Hayden Smith
Sunday 15 September, 1-2pm
The Museum of Consciousness exhibits explorations of human consciousness. Join Carl, the museum's curator, for stimulating subjective experiences, including thought experiments and dream incubations. Book now.
Mental health in the digital age, Professor Ian Tucker and Ainul Hanafiah
Wednesday 11 September, 11am-12pm
Professor Ian Tucker is one of the British Science Association's 16 Scientific Presidents for 2024, specifically for Sociology & Social Policy.
In this presidential address, Professor Ian and Ainul Hanafiah, Research Fellow at our Institute for Connected Communities, will explore the key challenges and successes of a digital approach to mental health care. Book now.
A trick of the eye, Dr Mark Harwood
Friday 13 September, 2-3pm, 4-5pm, 6-7pm (drop-in)
There’s much more to vision than meets the eye. Join Dr Mark for interactive demonstrations that reveal the tricks our eyes, and their movements, play on us to construct the world around us. Drop in.
The many colours of your mind, Dr Mary Spiller
Friday 13 September, 6-8pm
Did you know that some people smell colour? And that some can taste music? Dr Mary is exploring synaesthesia to better understand how the brain processes sensory information. Find out more! Drop in.
Getting to the bottom of depression, Professor Mark McDermott
Friday 13 September, 6-7pm
It’s easy to assume mental health conditions are caused by something that goes on within us, rather than external social factors. Join Professor Mark to discover how focusing on adversity and personal vulnerability leads to a better understanding of depression. Book now.
Baby brain, Professor Sam Wass
Saturday 14 September, 12-4.30pm (drop-in)
Step inside the BabyDevLab’s immersive environment that mimics the perceptions and environments of children through real-life data collection. Find out more about Professor Sam Wass in our latest video. See for yourself how different surroundings might change the way that babies grow up. Drop in.
Bringing care to the home, Dr Seyed Ali Ghorashi
Saturday 14 September, 12-4.30pm (drop-in)
Leading research in wearable and home technology, Dr Seyed Ali is exploring how sensors and monitors can help elderly people live a more independent lifestyle within the comfort of their own homes.
Join the team to try out the technology and learn more about ethical data collection. Drop in.
Flood, sweat and tears, Dr Ravindra Jayaratne
Sunday 15 September, 5-6pm
Our usual responses to natural disasters are driven by policymakers and politicians who are often detached from the situation.
Instead, Dr Ravindra is taking a novel interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the voices of those worst affected. Come along to learn about his research undertaken with Japanese schoolchildren. Book now.
Step into the metaverse, Professor Julia Davidson
Weds 11 Sept, 10.30am-5pm (drop-in)
The metaverse is fast becoming the new cyberspace.
Join Professor Julia at this interactive exhibition to understand what happens in the metaverse and how it might impact your future. Explore themes of health, wellbeing, cybercrime and online harm. Drop in.
Changing the culture of the police force – Met steps, Dr Emma Cunningham
Wednesday 11 September, 2-3pm
The British police force is under increasing scrutiny due to revelations of mistreatment of specific social groups within the force. Dr Emma has been studying the lives of racially minoritised policewoman.
Join her expert panel to explore the institution of policing practice and what can be done to effect cultural change. Book now.
Heal yourself, Dr Gulnar Ali
Wednesday 11 September, 4-5pm
Being a healthcare professional can raise existential and spiritual questions. Dr Gulnar has developed a reflective tool, ‘SOPHIE,’ which focuses on an individual’s strengths and promotes psychological and spiritual wellbeing.
Try out SOPHIE for yourself. Book now and hear more from Dr Gulnar.
Dignity in menstruation, Dr Meera Tiwari
Thursday 12 September, 11.30am-1pm
There remains much stigma and lack of awareness around menstruation. Dr Meera and her team are developing a framework with communities across India, Nepal and the UK to improve menstrual health through discussing dignity.
Join to learn more. Book now.
Co-designing connectivity, Gosia Kwiatkowski
Saturday 14 September, 12.30-2pm and 3-4.30pm
Disabled people, particularly those with a learning disability, are often at risk of social isolation and subsequent poor mental health. Gosia is developing digital tools that place those with learning disabilities at the centre of the design process.
Come and have a play! Book now.
Unveiling the unseen faces of science, Sheeba Viswarajan
Saturday 14 September, 3-4pm
Incredible discoveries are made every day. However, only some stories make it into the limelight. Unearth the overlooked achievements in the scientific community with Sheeba and some of our trainee teachers.
Book now and hear more from Sheeba herself.
Nature’s vampires, Sally Cutler
Weds 11 Sept, 10.30am-5pm (drop-in)
Sally is here to demonstrate what to do if you find yourself bitten by a tick.
Get up close and personal with ticks under the microscope and discover more about her team’s research that’s helping to better predict and prevent tick-borne diseases. Drop in.
Too tired to test, Jamie Edwards
Wednesday 11 September, 10.30am-5pm (drop-in)
Every day, healthcare professionals are required to diagnose serious medical conditions with rapid efficiency. However, NHS staff are commonly overstretched.
Jamie uses eye-tracking technology to understand how this fatigue may affect the accuracy of these diagnoses. Try it out. Drop in.
To vape or not to vape? Dr Mohammed Meah
Wednesday 11 September, 10.30am-5pm (drop-in)
Understanding the impact of all forms of smoking is central to Dr Mohammed’s work.
Discover first-hand the differences between types of smoke and how these can damage cells in the heart. Drop in.
Health inequalities: more sociology than biology, Professor Winston Morgan
Wednesday 11 September, 1-2pm
Join Professor Winston to understand how scientists and medical professionals could be failing many minoritised communities because of outdated ideas about race and medicine. Book now.
Life in plastic, not so fantastic, Ria Devereux
Thursday 12 September, 10.30am-5pm
Ria has been spending time understanding the large variety of plastic pollutants found in surface waters of the River Thames.
Join them as they reveal the abundance of plastic hidden in our waters. Discover the complex journey that unexpected items like fireworks, car tyres and much more take through our capital to the sea. Drop in.
AirSavers Odyssey, Karina Corada Perez
Sunday 15 September, 10.30am-5pm
Embark on an immersive adventure into environmental awareness with 'AirSavers Odyssey', a board game designed to explore the complexity of air pollution.
Collaborate with fellow players and make eco-friendly choices whilst racing against the clock. Drop in and hear more from Karina.
What science looks like...
Showcasing Sustainability, GreenTech, and Social Justice at the British Science Festival
London has a rich scientific ecosystem and a year’s long celebration of science is the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate with local and international partners to showcase our research and leadership in sustainability, GreenTech, HealthTech, social justice, early years and more. Our research is globally recognised, with 92% considered world-leading or internationally excellent.
Makers & Mavericks podcast
Listen to our new UEL arts podcast where host and senior lecturer, Julian Alexander, chats with our very own experts in the creative industries. Find all episodes on our site and subscribe on YouTube to catch the latest edition.
All podcast episodesCase studies
Our research has a wide-ranging impact on a variety of inter-disciplinary subjects. Read some of our case studies to see how our students and academic community are making an impact on science-related themes.
Sugarcrete
Sugarcrete® provides a low-carbon alternative to bricks and concrete blockwork developed by the University of East London (UEL). The material combines sugarcane fibres left over after sugar production, with sand-mineral binders to produce bricks that have a carbon footprint six times smaller than traditionally made clay bricks.
This low-carbon material is just a part of the project's ambitions. The project seeks to offer different viable, sustainable, and safe construction solutions, using bio-waste as the core resource, to enhance community wellbeing and security.
Read more on the Sugarcrete® page.
Understanding the Impact of Modern Living Environments on Childhood Development
Background: Researchers from the Baby Development Lab at the University of East London, led by Professor Sam Wass, have been at the forefront of pioneering research to uncover the effects of changing modern living environments on early years' development.
Objective: The objective of the research conducted by Professor Wass and his team is to understand how diverse home environments, particularly those characterised by noise and chaos, impact children's cognitive and emotional well-being during their formative years.
Approach: Using innovative methods such as wireless wearable microphones, cameras, and physiological stress monitors, the Baby Development Lab at UEL observed parent-child interactions in various home environments. This allowed them to examine the immediate impact of noise and chaos on children's physiological stress, concentration, and social engagement, providing valuable insights into early development.
Results: The research findings revealed that children growing up in physically noisier home environments exhibit higher levels of physiological stress by the age of 12 months, affecting both cognitive performance and emotional responsiveness. Urban children demonstrated lower sustained attention and greater emotional instability, while also exhibiting faster learning speeds in certain contexts.
Impact: Professor Wass's research has had a profound impact on educational practices and public discussions surrounding childhood development. His findings have been shared extensively with Early Years practitioners, leading to changes in teaching environments to reduce auditory and visual noise. Local councils have also implemented measures to identify and support children vulnerable to the detrimental effects of noisy environments.
PULL OUT: Professor Wass's featured on Channel 4's series "The Secret Life of 4 and 5-Year-Olds" and collaborated with New River to make shopping centres more accommodating to children and adults vulnerable to over-stimulation.
Conclusion: Through ground-breaking research and effective dissemination of findings, Professor Wass and his team have shed light on the profound impact of modern living environments on childhood development. Their work not only informs educational practices but also advocates for changes in public spaces to support the well-being of children in urban settings.
Freedom Wing Project
Science is Exploring the Intersection of Art and Engineering
The Freedom Wing project represents a collaboration between artist and University of East London academic, Samuel Zealey and British Airways. This project aims to create a large-scale, self-powered, radio-controlled flying sculpture, merging artistry with innovative technology.
Background: In 2017, Samuel Zealey's studio embarked on a ground-breaking artistic endeavour known as The Folded Plane Series. This series of sculptures, aptly named Planes, delved into the juxtaposition of weightlessness and gravity by exploring folded steel planes.
Objective: The Folded Plane Series and Freedom Wing sculpture aim to blend science, art, and engineering by creating sculptures inspired by paper planes but from steel rather than paper, challenging traditional notions of materials and forms, and re-considering our interaction with art in technology, asking the question what if the art could fly to you?
Approach: The Freedom Wing sculpture series reflects UEL's ethos of innovation and cultural diversity by encouraging collaboration with industry, academics and students whilst also driving creative expression and encouraging audiences to question their relationship with materials around them.
Outcome: Through curated exhibitions, flight demonstrations and involvement with the British Science Festival, the project intends to captivate public interest. Using UEL's facilities such as the on-campus flight simulator for digital rendering and access to 3D printing facilities, the project will inspire the next generation of creatives and engineers.
Drawing inspiration from principles of physics and engineering, industrial materials have been transformed into thought-provoking sculptures that mimic the tactile qualities of origami.
Conclusion: The Freedom Wing project exemplifies the intersection of art, science, and technology. Through innovative use of materials and collaboration with industry partners, the University of East London continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression inspiring dialogue about our relationship with the world around us.
We are leading the way in a variety of different fields, demonstrating how the impact of science isn’t just limited to traditional disciplines:
A celebration of our community
The Year of Science presents a fantastic chance for our vibrant community of more than 40,000 students, representing 160 nationalities, to actively participate in various activities. It's an occasion for students and alumni to exhibit their work and highlight their individual accomplishments through their studies and beyond.
Read stories from within our communityInspiring future generations
We nurture scientific talent in all disciplines, unlocking opportunities for individuals within our community and making a lasting impact on the world and its people. Our students, academics, researchers and alumni have paved the way for future generations in disciplines such as health, early years, technology and sustainability. Watch some of their stories below:
Our news
Read the latest science themed news from the University of East London. Catch up with the latest in year of science research, teaching, and learning.
- Celebrate sustainable east London in style - 19 April 2024
- Engineering a greener future - 5 April 2024
- Bringing bumblebees back to Bexley - 2 April 2024
- Visual arts artists explore detours and directions - 27 March 2024
- Office of US President recognises UEL research - 26 March 2024
- UEL launches inaugural Sustainable Cities Festival - 25 March 2024