Samuel Mwaura

Programme Lead, MA (Hons) Business with Enterprise and Innovation

I am Dr Samuel Mwaura, Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh Business School and National Co-Lead of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (Scotland). My research interests are in the areas of inclusive entrepreneurship, especially amongst ethnic minorities, women, and other minoritised groups; entrepreneurial finance; and the economics of entrepreneurship and innovation, including evaluations of the multi-level links between firm level outcomes and personal and household factors, entrepreneurial ecosystems, regional factors, and wider economic, institutional and policy influences.

I am also very passionate about knowledge exchange and societal impact from my research. Besides contributing to the academic discourse through international conferences and publications, my research has been disseminated to various external groups including enterprise practitioners, policy-makers and the general public in the UK and beyond through consultancy reports, practitioner talks and workshops, policy hackathons, radio and TV appearances, newspaper coverage and social media.

Methodologically, I employ both quantitative and qualitative approaches. I have used large datasets (large population surveys, etc.) as well as designed and conducted smaller custom surveys (e.g. expert surveys). Analytically, I use various multi-variate regression techniques, typically using STATA, and have previously also done some descriptive GIS mapping work. I also have experience carrying out and analysing in-depth interviews and other qualitative research.

My research has generally been multi-disciplinary, collaborative (including with policymakers), and geared towards generating practical implications and impact on business practice and public policy. I have interacted productively with academic colleagues from other disciplines as well as with policy-makers and the business community, leading to informed changes in policy (e.g. regional development policy) and business strategy and practice. In addition, participation in a variety of public engagement events has allowed me to gain expertise in adaptable knowledge dissemination techniques, including radio and TV interviews.

I am interested in supervising PhD projects in topics that have overlaps with my research interests below. Applicants should preferably have a strong academic record to master's level and should also generally have a curiosity for research and looking to build a career in research following their doctorate.

• Diversity (ethnicity, gender, intersectionality) in entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial finance
• Entrepreneurial ecosystems and regional enterprise
• Enterprise policy
• Economics of innovation
• Firm performance and growth
• Entrepreneurship and household economic wellbeing
• Entrepreneurship in developing countries