In an era when the value of higher education has never been more recognised, or more essential, the University of East London (UEL) is championing real-world impact, inclusion and future-focused skills at the core of its academic mission.
For researchers, lecturers and professionals looking to advance their careers, UEL offers more than a traditional academic post; it’s an opportunity to shape the next generation of industry-ready graduates and contribute to a university deeply rooted in the communities it serves.
UEL’s strong performance in recent rankings, rising 23 places to 33rd in the Guardian University Guide 2026, its highest ever, and being named UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, has further strengthened its appeal to academic talent.
A former UEL master’s degree student, Prof Toyin Adisa returned to the university in 2018 to develop his teaching and research career in human resource management and organisational behaviour. The university’s commitment to empowering academics was central to his progression, he says.
“I joined as a lecturer and became a professor in 2024, and I attribute this to the fact that the university offered me everything I needed to get to where I am now. That includes mentorship, help with finance to attend workshops and conferences, and time and support for my research.”
His work, published in a number of ABS-ranked journals, has gained international recognition. “Seeing my publications being cited by other academics is very rewarding,” he says. “For anyone looking to enhance their academic career, everything you need is here.”
Supporting new staff members is a defining part of UEL’s culture. Dr Yuliana Topazly is a business leader and social entrepreneur who came on board two years ago as associate professor of enterprise and innovation, and found the early support exceptional. “I was offered opportunities in terms of personal development and provided with a mentor to support me with new platforms, as each university has its own way of doing things in terms of teaching delivery and research. That support was available from day one,” she says.
Topazly has already been recognised through the annual staff awards scheme at the UEL Royal Docks School of Business and Law for outstanding contribution to business engagement. “To receive an award in a fairly short space of time was lovely,” she says. “Having had the opportunity to lead on the Help to Grow: Management course, part of a national government programme, I feel extremely privileged to do it on behalf of the university and drive that agenda of business engagement.”
Diversity and inclusivity are central to UEL’s success, shaping its culture and amplifying its impact. By championing representation across staff, students and leadership, the university ensures a wide range of perspectives that enhance teaching, research and community engagement. It’s a commitment that broadens access, strengthens innovation and keeps UEL closely aligned with the communities it serves.
It was this commitment to inclusion and social mobility that first attracted Dr Eric Boahen, associate professor and cluster lead for accounting, finance and economics, to UEL nearly 17 years ago. “We see people from all backgrounds, both staff and students alike, and many of our students are the first in their families to be entering higher education,” he says. “Students get to add real value to their lives and have greater opportunities to work in many blue-chip organisations, for example, so that transformation is something I wanted to be part of.”
Collaboration is another factor that many believe sets UEL apart. As a career-focused university, working across disciplines and with external partners is core to its teaching. Lucian Tipi, associate dean of education and experience, explains: “What employers want from graduates are problem-solving skills. None of us can solve problems on our own. Collaboration is absolutely key, and that interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, complementary approach is what this university is very good at.”
UEL’s ability to turn ambition into real-world practice is supported by its specialist teaching spaces and applied curriculum. “Embedding the careers agenda at every level is so important,” says Tipi. “We have dozens of dedicated spaces across our three campuses where students can practise their own area of study. For example, nursing students have a suite of human replicas to practise on. Finance students have access to an actual trading floor based on Bloomberg software, and we have a court of law where law students can hone their legal skills.”
Not surprisingly, the university’s high teaching standards and strong academic lineup have a tangible impact on students. Expert lecturers bring real-world insight and research-driven teaching into the classroom, helping students build confidence and develop those all-important industry-ready skills.
Daniel Okoroma, a recent computer science graduate, has just secured a role as an early career software engineer at the travel firm Skyscanner, and credits UEL’s teaching staff for much of his success. “We had lecturers from different areas of expertise who we could reach out to. They ran workshops and were always ready to help in every aspect of being a student,” he says. “They also played a key role in helping me secure industry placements with companies like IBM. All of this really enhanced my learning experience.”
The phrase “talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not” encapsulates a powerful truth about inequality, particularly in relation to career progression. Boahen says UEL’s mission is to close that gap. “Our models are 100% employability focused and include hands-on practical experience, ensuring that our students are in the best position to access opportunities. Being part of that is one of the most rewarding elements of being a member of UEL’s academic team.”
To find out more about the exceptional opportunities at the University of East London, visit jobs.uel.ac.uk
