Amanda Broderick Unveils UEL’s Vision 2028 Triumphs

Key Points

• University of East London (UEL) is the most socially inclusive university in the UK, located in a region with high economic and health inequalities, presenting opportunities to break barriers and foster talent in the fourth industrial revolution.
• Amanda Broderick, vice-chancellor since 2018, drove Vision 2028 strategy, informed by her belief in education as an irremovable agent of societal change.
• Financial turnaround: From most likely to fail financially in 2018 to one of few UK universities with no debt.
• Growth: From one of London’s smallest to largest universities.
• Graduate outcomes: Fastest improvement UK-wide, with employability rising over 25 percentage points in five years.
• Student positivity: Top 10 in UK per National Student Survey (NSS).
• Enterprise: Largest and fastest growth in new business enterprises and graduate startups, ranking second in university start-up rankings.
• Historical roots: Founded 1898 as West Ham Technical Institute to unlock opportunity during second industrial revolution; now mirrors that in 5.0 economy.
• Staff support: University Development Week for reflection and re-energising; Shared Success award with £1,000 Christmas bonus for all staff, plus team and individual awards.
• Recruitment: Seeks impact-driven academics prioritising innovation, collaboration, and inequality tackling.

What Drew Amanda Broderick to UEL’s Vice-Chancellor Role?

As reported by Rachel Williams of The Guardian, Amanda Broderick explained the allure of UEL’s position in higher education.

“The University of East London (UEL) is the most socially inclusive university in the UK, but it’s also based in a region that has some of the highest economic and health inequalities in the UK,”

she stated.

“So the job presented an irresistible opportunity to tackle those wider societal challenges.”

Broderick emphasised rethinking higher education’s role.

“It’s about really rethinking how we can work to break down those barriers and ensure that talent – wherever it’s found – can flourish and thrive in the world being created by the fourth industrial revolution, rather than being excluded or left behind.”

This vision aligns with UEL’s commitment to social mobility in east London, where economic disparities persist.​

What Personal Values Shaped Vision 2028?

Rachel Williams of The Guardian captured Broderick’s core motivations upon joining in 2018.

“My belief in higher education as an agent of societal change is a core motivation,”

Broderick shared. She recounted a personal anecdote:

“My mum always used to say that you can have your health taken away from you, or love, or your job, or money, but the one thing that can never be taken away is education.”

On strategy, Broderick described a dynamic approach.

“For Vision 2028, the way I see strategy was also central: it isn’t something that you develop, do a big song and dance about at the launch, and then let sit on the shelf. Strategy is everything that we do: it’s live and it’s continuously changing.”

This philosophy has sustained UEL’s transformative 10-year plan, now midway.​

What Are Vision 2028’s Biggest Achievements?

Halfway through Vision 2028, Broderick, as quoted by Rachel Williams in The Guardian, detailed profound shifts.

“Back in 2018, UEL was the institution that was the most likely to fall over financially. Today our position is quite radically different. We’re one of a small number of UK universities with no debt.”

She linked to parliamentary evidence confirming this status.

Growth and outcomes soared.

“We’ve gone from being one of the smallest to one of the largest universities in London. We’ve achieved the fastest improvement in graduate outcomes and increases to graduate employability across the whole UK, increasing the number of graduates in meaningful work by more than 25 percentage points in just five years.”

UEL also ranks top 10 UK for overall student positivity via NSS and leads in business growth per HESA data, rising to second in start-up rankings.​

How Does UEL’s Historical Mission Compare Today?

Tracing roots, Broderick told Rachel Williams of The Guardian about UEL’s founding.

“UEL began life as the West Ham Technical Institute in 1898.”

Its original ethos:

“The institute was established as the ‘people’s university’, founded to unlock opportunity and drive social mobility during the second industrial revolution.”

Nearly 130 years on, parallels endure.

“Almost 130 years later, in the fourth industrial revolution and heading into the 5.0 economy, that’s really what we’re doing now. We’ve gone from a position of serious financial and academic risk to a thriving, resilient, student-ready, employer-connected and impact-led university that’s making a massive difference in the communities we work with and for.”

This continuity reinforces UEL’s relevance.​

What Makes UEL an Exceptional Workplace?

Broderick highlighted research opportunities for Rachel Williams’ Guardian piece.

“With access to such a diverse population, academics at UEL can undertake truly game-changing research that has the potential to make a massive difference to people’s lives. Working here is career-making; you have the opportunity to really transform things.”

Culture stands out.

“In terms of our culture, inclusion is core to who we are and we work hard to celebrate and uplift each other. There’s a renewed sense of shared purpose and pride in redefining what success looks like.”

These elements foster a supportive environment amid transformation.​

How Does UEL Support and Reward Staff?

Staff initiatives feature prominently. As Broderick noted to Rachel Williams of The Guardian,

“University Development Week, a whole-institution professional development and support event held each summer, is a really important part of our calendar. It’s a chance to reflect on the last year, to thank and celebrate people, and also to re-energise ourselves for the next academic year.”

Rewards are sector-leading.

“We also know that when you’re going through a radical transformation, it’s crucial everyone is involved, and is recognised and rewarded. Our sector-leading Shared Success award includes an institution-wide discretionary bonus when we can show evidence of success: this Christmas every member of staff will be getting £1,000. There’s also an annual team award and individual award.”

This inclusive model boosts morale.​

Who Should Pursue an Academic Career at UEL?

Broderick defined ideal candidates for the Guardian Q&A by Rachel Williams.

“We’re seeking academics and researchers who are motivated by real-world impact.”

Passion for equity drives recruitment.

“We want people who are committed to breaking down the divide between education and work, who believe that talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t, and who want to continue to push themselves.”

Traits include curiosity and innovation.

“People who are curious, hungry to do more, and to do things differently. Those ideal candidates prioritise innovation and genuine collaboration over perhaps a more traditional academic hierarchy. We need professionals who are passionate about actively tackling inequality within education and who can also translate education into transforming lives, and knowledge into jobs.”

UEL targets change-makers.