I am thrilled to report on my recent contribution to the vibrant annual meeting of minds within the ecosystem that is the ‘Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Educators Network’. Hosted this year by the University of Surrey, the 17th International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (IEEC) once again connected colleagues and peers, and offered the opportunity to showcase groundbreaking research and engage in stimulating shares of best practice in enterprise and entrepreneurship education from the UK and overseas.
I was genuinely biting to take my spot in the Pecha Kucha research track where I aimed to share my novel hermeneutic phenomenological research design to provide evocative insight into the subjective realities that often remain unspoken in the narrative of day-to-day practice of EE educators. The fast-paced rhythm of the PK format adding a unique adrenaline rush, pushing us to convey our messages succinctly whilst only supported by image. I was honoured to share the floor with Trudie Murray of Munster Technological University, Ireland, who was presenting her PhD research on early childhood education as the cornerstone for nurturing entrepreneurial development. Trudie’s research highlights the crucial role of pre-school educators in establishing the foundation for entrepreneurship education. By setting a solid early education base, she promotes continuous entrepreneurial learning throughout academia, fostering entrepreneurs from their formative years. Our session was enhanced by highly engaged chairs, Dr Breda O’Dwyer and Associate Professor Andreas Walmsley (Plymouth Marjon University). The questions rolled and our audience’s reception felt overwhelmingly positive and well received.
I am pleased to further acknowledge contributions from my International Institute of Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED) colleagues. Paul Ranson led a presentation on our work, emphasising the transformative potential of AI-supported thinking journeys in shaping entrepreneurial ventures. He highlighted both the unparalleled opportunities and the ethical considerations intrinsic to this tech-driven era. Moving beyond the assumption that generative AI chatbots are the sole sources of knowledge, the presentation promoted tools to engineer a human-centred response, assessing what we label as ‘thinking journeys’, and offered practical guidance on integrating AI into module activities. Our Hazel Israel ‘s interactive session offered an innovative deep dive using her deck of cards, derived from EntreComp, to structure student-led value creation projects, mapped to diverse curricula and SDGs. Her work showcases the potential of tangible educational tools in enhancing entrepreneurial learning, aligning with regional educational frameworks. Just a tad proud we picked up 2 x Best In Track for our contributions:
Finally, I’m delighted to report that my HES co-founder and IICED Professor of Practice, Professor David Kirby and Emeritus Professor John Thompson delivered a conference keynote. Representing co-authors Professor Colette Henry and Dr Luke Pittaway, they discussed their recent publication, ‘The History of Entrepreneurship Education in the United Kingdom, 1860-2020’. They shared their extensive knowledge and experience of the Enterprise Education landscape, with a significant emphasis on ‘Harmonious Entrepreneurship’ as a fifth typification in the ever-evolving entrepreneurship landscape.
In reflecting upon the conference, it’s essential to acknowledge two special pillars of the EEE network. Professor Kathryn Penaluna and Professor Andy Penaluna, whom I personally regard as EEUK royalty, further instrumental in the birth and evolution of IICED. Their dedication and passion have undoubtedly shaped the landscape of entrepreneurship education. And I stand proud that that they would appreciate the contribution of the team from IICED at UWTSD to the conference proceedings this year. A special thank you is also in order for our networking support, Dylan Williams Evans and Dr Adila Khan. Their efforts ensured interactions and connections throughout the event, further elevating the conference experience for all attendees and what we take back home with us.
Felicity
Belated update: UWTSD celebrates the team’s success at IEEC2023
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Emergent Thinkers.com 
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