Katie Stephenson conducts research on inclusive entrepreneurship and is co-founder of the research network Visioning Inclusive Entrepreneurship (VIE). Through the Dialogue Incubator, she explored how researchers and societal partners can jointly shape new research agendas.
Why dialogue?
Throughout her research on inclusive entrepreneurship, Katie kept encountering the same question: how do you know whether the issues researchers consider important actually reflect the realities of practice? "Academics often discuss among themselves what the problem is. But when you speak to entrepreneurs themselves, very different questions often emerge."
Through the Dialogue Incubator, she wanted to work with stakeholders to identify which questions should take priority in future research on inclusive entrepreneurship. "If you can demonstrate that a research agenda has been developed together with stakeholders, it also strengthens its legitimacy in the eyes of funding bodies."
Dialogue in practice
As part of the VIE network, Katie brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and researchers for a dialogue session. The day began with a fishbowl conversation, in which entrepreneurs shared their experiences while the other participants listened.
The conversations revealed experiences that often remain invisible. One entrepreneur explained that she brings a man to investment pitches because she is taken more seriously that way. Another participant recalled being advised to "find the man with the grey beard" when looking for funding. A queer, neurodivergent entrepreneur described how his business idea had been dismissed as "cute" rather than recognised as serious entrepreneurship.
Building on these personal experiences, participants explored where existing knowledge falls short and where future research could make the greatest difference.
Read more about Kathleen's dialogue session?
Author: Anna Aris
