Entrenching the enterprise message through innovative incubators

Abstract

Enterprise Education (EE) continues to inspire institutions and champion creativity amongst staff and students. As the taught and researched fields advance, EE activity is now increasingly facilitated and developed within central university-based incubators, where expertise and knowledge meet ambitious ideas and aspirations across subject disciplines. With this combining of expertise and knowledge from within the university environment, key skills and outcomes are evident which move typical forms of EE within classroom contexts beyond pedagogical considerations of content and assessment strategy. This paper investigates the role of incubators with a case study of recently developed incubation spaces at a Scottish university, involving 10 academics, 3 departments, and over 500 students across all academic levels. Reflecting on an academic year of activity, ranging from formal sessions, mentoring and student-focussed events, to engaging with external partners through national programmes, this case study highlights several key themes. Themes of realised attributes, encountered behaviours, and contexts (A-B-C), which appreciate immediate and responsive qualities within the HE sector result in outlined principles. These principles encourage the duties and responsibilities conducive to innovative incubator-specific Assisted Academic Practice (AAP). This marks differences between EE educators and AAP individuals within active incubation spaces. Emphasising the need for consistent enterprising engagement with regional and national partners, seeking alignment with best practice frameworks, and confirming industry recognition, AAP individuals and groups entrench the enterprise message from the university through phases of design, development, and destination. This paper outlines fresh understandings for university educators and incubator professionals, in centralising EE within staff development and ongoing academic practices.