Darren Ellis

Darren Ellis is a Senior Lecturer and Doctoral Supervisor at the University of East London, where he serves as Cluster Lead for Social and Community Work within the Department of Education, School of Childhood and Social Care. He has been at UEL for fourteen years, having previously lectured at Coventry University and Nottingham University. Ellis obtained his PhD in Psychology from Loughborough University in 2007.

Ellis is the programme leader of Psychosocial Studies and Psychosocial Theory and Practice, and course leads three related courses serving approximately 175 students. His research focuses on three interconnected areas: emotional disclosure processes, digital life and emotion, and surveillance studies and affect. He has co-authored influential publications including the Sage book Social Psychology of Emotion and Emotion in the Digital Age. His work on surveillance was featured on the front cover of The Psychologist and nominated for the 2014 SAGE Prize for Innovation and/or Excellence.

Ellis is currently preparing an ESRC bid titled 'Empathy Offline and Online in Post-Brexit Britain: New Perspectives from Psychosocial Group Analysis,' which aims to examine empathy communication in both face-to-face and online contexts following the Brexit referendum. His teaching approach is research-led, employer-focused, and responsive to student feedback, with a track record of 'definitely agree' scores in student satisfaction evaluations.

• Nominated for 2014 SAGE Prize for Innovation and/or Excellence
• Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) with the British Psychological Society
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

As a Doctoral Supervisor, Ellis has developed research-led teaching that directly informs his courses, including a level 6 module on emotion that became the foundation for his first book. He has secured funding for multiple research projects, including the Everyday Experiences of Surveillance project with Professors David Harper and Ian Tucker. His recent work includes organizing multidisciplinary annual conferences on Social Media and Affect with Tony Sampson at UEL. Ellis is also developing the course structure in line with the Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning to enhance graduate opportunities.