Advancing the Frontiers of Knowledge

Research is the lifeblood of the University of Eastbay. It informs our teaching, drives innovation, and is our primary means of contributing to the global good. Our research ethos is built on collaboration, interdisciplinary inquiry, and a commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. We foster a vibrant research culture that empowers our faculty and students to pursue bold ideas and produce work of significant impact. From postgraduate researchers making groundbreaking discoveries to undergraduates participating in their first research projects, we believe that everyone in our community has a role to play in the advancement of knowledge.

Our research activities are concentrated within three interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence, which serve as hubs for collaboration between our schools and with external partners.

The Centre for Global Economic Strategy (CGES)

The CGES is at the forefront of research into the dynamics of the global economy, with a special focus on emerging markets and the strategic position of Central Asia. The Centre’s work is critical for understanding international trade, financial flows, and the economic policies that shape our world.

• Mission: To produce influential research that informs business strategy and public policy, fostering sustainable economic development and prosperity.
• Core Research Areas:
  • International Trade and Supply Chains: Analysing the evolution of global value chains and the impact of geopolitical shifts on trade patterns.
  • Financial Market Regulation: Investigating the stability of financial systems and the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks in a digital age.
  • Sustainable Development Economics: Exploring economic models that promote environmental sustainability and social equity.
• Student Involvement: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty-led research projects through our research assistantship programme. MSc students engage with the Centre’s work through their dissertations, often using proprietary datasets and working alongside senior researchers.

The Institute for Digital Futures and Applied AI (IDFAI)

The IDFAI is a pioneering hub for research in computer science, artificial intelligence, and their societal implications. The Institute brings together technologists, social scientists, and ethicists to explore how digital technologies can be developed and deployed responsibly for the benefit of humanity.

• Mission: To lead in the creation and application of cutting-edge digital technologies while shaping the ethical discourse surrounding their use.
• Core Research Areas:
  • Machine Learning and Data Science: Developing novel algorithms for data analysis, natural language processing, and computer vision.
  • Cybersecurity and Digital Trust: Creating robust systems to protect digital infrastructure and ensure privacy in an interconnected world.
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Designing intelligent systems for applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and exploration.
• Student Involvement: BEng and BSc students undertake major projects within the Institute, with access to state-of-the-art robotics and computing laboratories. PhD candidates work on groundbreaking projects funded by international research councils and industry partners.

The Eastbay Studio for Creative Innovation (ESCI)

The ESCI is a dynamic, practice-led research centre that explores the intersection of art, design, and technology. It is a space for experimentation, where creative practitioners and scholars collaborate to push the boundaries of artistic expression and investigate the role of creativity in culture and society.

• Mission: To foster creative innovation through practice-based research, interdisciplinary projects, and critical inquiry into the visual and performing arts.
• Core Research Areas:
  • Interactive and Immersive Media: Experimenting with virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive installations to create new forms of storytelling.
  • Sustainable Design and Material Futures: Investigating eco-friendly materials and circular design principles in fashion, product, and architectural design.
  • Digital Humanities: Using computational tools to analyse and interpret cultural heritage, texts, and art historical archives.
• Student Involvement: BA students collaborate with faculty on real-world projects, exhibitions, and performances. Postgraduate students develop their own significant body of creative work, supported by critical and theoretical investigation.

Research Integrity

All research at the University of Eastbay is conducted in accordance with the highest ethical standards. We are committed to upholding the principles of honesty, rigour, transparency, and respect for all research participants.