Engaged scholarship: addressing regional inequalities in innovation opportunities for BAME and disabled entrepreneurs
OVERVIEW
This study has adopted an 'engaged scholarship' approach to issues of regional equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in entrepreneurship and innovation.
It follows on from previous research which sought to identify the support available in the UK for Black, Asian and Minority ethnic (BAME) entrepreneurs and innovators. The previous project found that EDI policy and intervention are hampered by lack of evidence on the extent of networks which support BAME and disabled entrepreneurs, their geography and how location facilitates or impedes ability to function.
The results of this study both provide evidence on the locations, function and operation of specialist support networks and engage with the participants in the research to add further value to the project. This also translates into a series of policy recommendations.
FACTFILE
- Project title: Engaged scholarship: addressing regional inequalities in innovation opportunities for BAME and disabled entrepreneurs
- Project funding: £4,865
- Funder: Birkbeck Business School
- Length of award: May - December 2021
- Supported by: Centre for innovation Management Research
PEOPLE
- Professor Helen Lawton Smith, Birkbeck Business School, Birkbeck, University of London
- Dina Mansour, Birkbeck Business School, Birkbeck, University of London
- Ayse Seyyide Kaptaner, Birkbeck Business School, Birkbeck, University of London
RESEARCH AIMS
Research to date has achieved an extensive understanding of the geography of networks that support BAME and Disabled entrepreneurs and has positioned the analysis within the context of UK and international policy agenda and action. Its importance has been recognised by such policy bodies as the All Party Parliamentary group for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, the Cabinet Office Disability Unit and the British Business Bank.
This page will enable the findings to reach broad audiences and enable further engagement with practitioners and policy makers who have responsibilities for organising support for BAME and Disabled entrepreneurs.
OUTPUTS
- Project report: 'Addressing regional inequalities in innovation opportunities for ethnically diverse and disabled entrepreneurs', September 2022.
- Findings from this research project were highlighted in a Forbes article 'Women are still underrepresented in tech leadership: here's how to change that', 3 February 2022.
PRESENTATIONS
- Lawton Smith, H. Invited presentation, Disability and Enterprise, Launch of the Disability Resilience Network, 29 November 2021.
- Lawton Smith, H. Provocation, Disabled entrepreneurs: challenges in creating more opportunities, National Enterprise Network Annual Conference, 26 November 2021.
A FOCUS ON NETWORKS, ENTREPRENEURS AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH: HEAR THEIR INSIGHTS
- Researching BAME and disabled entrepreneurship: Professor Tom Cooney (video)
- Inspiring BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Piers Roberts (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Phillip Connolly (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Jabo Butera (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Sam Everard (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Dr Te Klangboonkrong (video)
- Researching BAME and disabled entrepreneurship: Dr Eva Kasperova (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Diana Crouch (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Jane Hatton (video)
- Supporting BAME and disabled entrepreneurs: Kimberly Mamhende (video)
- Researching BAME and disabled entrepreneurship: Dr Ning Baines (video)