As part of the conference, Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University hosted a doctoral day, which provided participants with an opportunity to listen to best practices from world-leading entrepreneurship academic scholars and network with doctoral peers and build networks.
The doctoral day saw 30 attendees “test” their doctoral concepts with a different audience, with a poster session competition whereby doctoral candidates submitted a summary of their doctorate to date and obtained feedback from experienced entrepreneurship academics.
ISBE welcomed over 200 policy makers, industry practitioners and third sector representatives to join university scholars in a series of plenaries, parallel sessions and keynote addresses to explore new pathways for transformative collaborations among university, industry and public sectors in the drive towards a ‘more equitable world.’
The conference was co-chaired by Professor Seun Kolade and Dr Alexandra Anderson, from Sheffield Business School, and Professor Steve Johnson from Leeds Trinity University, with a keynote address from Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam, Professor Liz Mossop.
Dr Seun Kolade, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation and Co-Chair of the conference, said: “ISBE 2024 was a huge success thanks to the collaborative efforts of colleagues from the events and enterprise team, and Business school colleagues who volunteered to put together an excellent ISBE Doctoral Day. The main conference itself was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our integrated approach to research, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
“We put the Hallam “applied” stamp on this year’s conference theme, “Entrepreneurship research, policy and practice for a more equitable world”, and I was pleased to hear the overwhelmingly positive feedback from conference delegates- with some saying it was their best experience ever at ISBE conference.”
The conference was hosted at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ Hall, and Marketing Sheffield, SCC, estimated an economic impactto the region of over £300,000 for the 2-day event.
As part of the conference, Sheffield Hallam academics Prof Seun Kolade, Dr Toyin Aderiye, Dr Alexandra Anderson, Prof Conor Moss were awarded best paper in the ‘Business Creation, Early-Stage Development and Business Closure’ category for their paper titled University knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial outcomes: a structural capital approach.
The conference theme resonated with Sheffield and the wider Yorkshire region, where there are new collaborative efforts between governments, industry and the universities in the region to drive inclusive opportunities across communities.
The Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) is the UK’s largest and most well-established network for individuals and organisations involved in: Enterprise education practice, small business and entrepreneurship research, entrepreneurship policy formulation, delivery and evaluation and small business support, advice and development.
With over 500 members, a network of close to 4,000 and a strong and relevant board, ISBE is at the forefront of developments in this sector.
Dr Alexandra Anderson, Associate Professor in Enterprise and Head of the Centre for Business Growth and Transformation, and Co-Chair, said: “A real highlight for me was the presence and contribution of our students and graduate entrepreneurs at the Welcome Evening on 5th November. Their energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit were on full display, exemplifying Hallam’s forward-thinking and applied approach to entrepreneurship education. It was wonderful to see them confidently engaging conference delegates, sharing their ideas and businesses with guests from across the country. Their involvement not only added depth to the event but also showcased the innovative pathways we foster here at Hallam for young entrepreneurs.”
Sheffield Hallam is deeply invested in enterprise development through the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP), a£3 million project funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). SYIP is a collaboration led by Sheffield Hallam University with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, providing opportunities for businesses to engage in and benefit from innovation-led growth, and driving innovation led activities.
The programme provides access to high-quality and bespoke innovation support including academic consultancy, innovation audits, student projects and placements, access to university equipment and facilities, events and technical workshops.
With innovative programmes—such as the Enterprise Residency, Enterprise Transition Programme, Work for Yourself Sandwich Placement, and Hallam Freelancers—Sheffield Hallam demonstrates their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among students, graduates, and community members.
