Entrepreneurial Diversity as a Force for Good

The Scottish Entrepreneurship Research Seminar (SERS) is an annual event organised by the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship. It aims to showcase the latest trends and issues of contemporary relevance for Entrepreneurship academia, policy and practice.

This year, SERS is dedicated to Entrepreneurial Diversity as a Force for Good and showcases two core themes:

1. Neurodiversity as Inclusion in Entrepreneurship
2. Entrepreneurship as a Bridge to Building Capabilities in Diverse contexts

Both themes reflect on the most recent work of Professor Nigel Lockett, Head of Department at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship (2019-2021) and aim to highlight his contributions to academia and practice: as a senior manager, experienced academic, entrepreneur and community leader, and a past president of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Nigel has contributed to a wider understanding of the importance of examining Entrepreneurial Diversity as a catalyst of practice and growth in diverse contexts.

The day-long seminar comprises sessions reflecting on the latest theoretical and practice-orientated perspectives of Entrepreneurial Diversity, a showcase of enterprises and initiatives, as well as a ‘horizons’ session, focusing on new research ideas and perspectives presented by PhD researchers. A Special Issue and an Edited Volume is envisaged on the same topics in collaboration with Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Association.

08:45–09:00 a.m.: Welcome Tea & Coffee

9:00-9:30 a.m.: Opening Speeches

• Jillian MacBryde, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Maggie O' Carroll, The Women's Organisation & University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Rob Edwards, CEO of the Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship Association
• Lucrezia Casulli, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Katerina Nicolopoulou, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

09:30–10:30 a.m.: Neurodiversity as Inclusion in Entrepreneurship

• Helen Taylor, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Eva Kasperova, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
• Nicola Thomas, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
• Yolanda Gibbs, Enterprise Fellow at ST. Aidan's College, Durham University, UK

10:30-10:45 a.m.: Break

10:45–11:45 p.m.: Entrepreneurship as a bridge to building capabilities in diverse contexts

• Akanimo Odon, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK
• John Struthers, University of West Scotland, Paisley, Scotland, UK
• King Omeihe, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Lunch

12:45–14:15 p.m.: Perspectives from practice and network creation

• Eleanor Shaw, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Tony Lloyd, ADHD Foundation, The Neurodiversity Charity, Liverpool UK
• Angela Prentner-Smith, This is Milk, Glasgow, UK
• Andrew Smithsimmons, Director & Co-Founder Braided Communications
• Rocio Arango/ Diana Ortega & Laura, Ruta N, Lauracate, Medellin, Colombia
• Dinah Bennett, International Consultants for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise and Global Lead for Enterprise Development for Women's Economic Imperative

14:15-14:30 p.m.: Break

14:30-15:15 p.m.: Session 4: New Horizons- New Directions

• Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship & other Scottish Universities PGRs

15:15- 15:45 p.m.: Closing the Event

15:45- 16:15 p.m.: Networking Canapes & Drinks