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Diversity and Entrepreneurship Workshop - Birkbeck Centre for Innovation Management Research

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Venue: Online

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The lack of support for diversity in entrepreneurship and innovation is currently receiving considerable attention in policy debates. This is propelled by a combination of diversity, social inclusion and competitiveness in the political agenda (Smallbone et al. 2010). Evidence suggests that diversity enhances entrepreneurial activity since it is that which generates divergences in the production of new ideas and thence entrepreneurial opportunities (Audretsch et al. 2010). Understanding the link between diversity and the anticipated economic competitiveness can be explored through a focus on individual/enterprise and on place e.g. city/region. Since regional competitiveness is influenced by the entrepreneurial performance of firms located within it, competitiveness can be enhanced by creating and sustaining the conditions that especially support local enterprises from diverse groups of entrepreneurs (Smallbone et al. 2010).

This workshop aims to contribute to debates on how the UK could better support innovation and entrepreneurship in BAME and disabled groups. By way of context, it maps the provision of support for these under-represented and under-utilised entrepreneurs. The workshop forms part of the dissemination programme of research supported by the Regional Studies Association Fellowship Grant (FeRSA) ‘Addressing regional inequalities in innovation opportunities for BAME and disabled groups’ led by Helen Lawton Smith.

You are invited to join the discussions. There is no charge for this workshop.

Please sign up to this event by 5pm on Tuesday 16 March. You will be sent the link to join on the morning of the event.

Workshop Programme

Chair: Tom Coogan, Nottingham University

13.00-13.05: Welcome and programme for the day: Sally Hardy, Regional Studies Association.

13.05-13.15: Jacqueline Winstanley (Universal Inclusion & The Inclusive Entrepreneur): Inclusive entrepreneurship – Removing the conflict between policy intent and administration.

13.15-13.25: Helen Lawton Smith, Birkbeck, University of London and Beldina Owalla, Sheffield University: Addressing regional inequalities in innovation opportunities for BAME entrepreneurs.

13.25-13.35: Monder Ram, Aston University: Time to change? A new agenda for ethnic minority entrepreneurship.

13.35-13.45: Reetu Sood, Birkbeck, University of London: An intersectional approach to entrepreneurial social capital: Contradictions and complexities in BAME entrepreneurial networking.

13.45-13.55: Te Klangboonkrong and Ning Baines, De Montfort University: Disability entrepreneurship research: Review and critical reflection through the lens of Individual-Opportunity nexus.

13.55-14.05: Break

14.05-14.15: Tom Coogan, University of Nottingham: An Initiative for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

14.15-14.25: Lexi Mills, Shift6 Global: The use of virtual reality in addressing diversity issues.

14.25-15.00: Panel discussion: What have we learned about innovation/entrepreneurial opportunities for BAME and disabled entrepreneurs?

Chair: Tim Vorley, Oxford Brookes University

Panel:

  • Tom Coogan
  • Beldina Owalla
  • Ning Baines
  • Lexi Mills
  • Monder Ram
  • Jacqueline Winstanley

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