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Constrained Entrepreneurship Conference

Between the 14th and 15th May 2025, a mini conference on Constrained entrepreneurship and focusing on more inclusive scholarship. This conference was organised by Dr Deema Refai. 

This face-to-face mini conference, which was hosted by Leeds University Business School (LUBS), aimed to target PGRs and ECRs - from the UK and abroad - researching entrepreneurship within constrained contexts such as rural, refugee, immigrant and underdeveloped economies’ contexts, to name a few.

Aiming to drive contemporary debates around the importance of constrained contexts and ways in which entrepreneurship unfolds within them, the conference supported PGRs and ECRs in recognising their unique scholarly position, and how this position can contribute to the future of entrepreneurship research through inclusive scholarship.

The conference built upon the experience of various LUBS scholars, alongside esteemed external guest speakers, with a demonstrable track record of researching constrained contexts. 

On the second day of the conference, a Q&A panel was held - which was facilitated by Dr Demma Refair, Dr Lee Wainwright and Prof Nick Williams - and included panelists: 

  1. Prof Haya Al-Dajani – Associate Editor – Gender, Work & Organizations (CABS 3*), International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research (CABS 3*), Entrepreneurship and Regional Development (CABS 3*) 
  2. Dr Peter Gittins – Associate Editor - International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CABS 2*) 
  3. Prof Susan Marlow – UK Field Editor – Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (CABS 4*)
  4. Prof Pablo Munoz - Editor-in-Chief – Journal of Business Venturing Insights (CABS 3*)