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16 November 2005> SERU Director Appointed to ISBE Board

Professor Pooran Wynarczyk has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), following nominations by Professors Dylan Jones Evans (Director, National Entrepreneurship Observatory for Wales) and Robert Blackburn (Editor, International Small Business Journal, Kingston University). ISBE is Britain’s premier small business and entrepreneurship network for individuals and organisations involved with SME research, entrepreneurship education and business advice. It also provides a welcome forum for those who formulate, deliver and evaluate enterprise policy. ISBE’s primary purpose is to promote knowledge and expertise in small business and entrepreneurship, most noticeably through its annual conference, Britain’s largest, longest running and most respected in the field. ISBE has close links with the European Council for Small Business (ECSB) and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB).

Pooran Wynarczyk has longstanding track records of research and other activities in these fields and holds the Personal Chair of Small Enterprise Research in the University. This appointment will provide a window of opportunity for her to enhance and further promote SME and entrepreneurship research, education and business support in the University, the North East and the UK as a whole.

19 October 2005> Business Register Approval Gives Third Strand Boost to the University

SERU today received confirmation from Business Link Tyne and Wear that they have been accepted onto the Approved Service Provider Register.

Clients that approach Business Link for help in identifying suitable organisations for assistance with their projects can now be referred to SERU, which has recently assisted well over 200 SMEs, as well as public sector institutions and departments, through its Marketing Information Service (MIS). This assistance includes market research, business planning and diagnostics, IPR-related advice, the sourcing of finance and large-scale consultancy work.

11 October 2005> Press Coverage of SERU's Latest Research Findings

International, national and local media have published several articles today relating to SERU's research on the gender gap in the science, engineering and technology (SET) labour markets. As a result of projects undertaken with sponsorship from the European Social Fund and the ESRC (Science in Society), SERU has developed an extensive database of small and medium sized SET enterprises in the North East of England and has conducted a survey of these companies to identify the causes of the gender gap in high profile research and development activities and in senior management. The resulting case studies have provided not only a greater understanding of the barriers facing women in the SET labour markets, but also an opportunity to identify potential role models and mentors within these markets here in the North East.

Some examples of the articles can be found on the following links;

The Guardian - article

The Journal - article

EurekAlert - article

The Register - article

16 May 2005 > SERU Awarded UTLC Innovation Grant

SERU has been awarded a grant from the University Teaching and Learning Committee's Innovation Fund to conduct a feasibility study for SERU's new Postgraduate Vocational Learning Hub. The study, which will take place over a two month period this summer, will examine the demand for this unique service, to be based at SERU's offices in the Porter Building at the University.

The idea for the Hub is to extend postgraduate learning into an office-based environment where they will work on actual research projects – ‘learning by doing’ – and in doing so will enhance their career prospects and their research capabilities. During their time at the Hub, postgraduates will gain hands-on experience in a number of vocational skills and activities, including ‘hard’ skills such as statistical analysis, data charting, qualitative writing and market research, as well as ‘soft’ skills such as learning to work to tight deadlines, interaction with work colleagues, team working and adding value to projects. The goal will be to ensure that the students understand they are operating in a work-oriented environment, with the associated rules and responsibilities as well as the associated opportunities for progression through experience.

Aside from offering an attractive package to potential and existing postgraduate applicants and students it will also act as a ‘bank’ of postgraduate expertise from which University staff may draw on to further their own research activities or to deliver a specific piece of work and will benefit both the faculties of HASS and SAGE in this capacity.

To apply for a position with the Hub, please click the 'bursaries & careers' button.

To learn more about the Hub, go to the Hub homepage by clicking here

01 April 2005 > Work Commences on High Profile ESRC Project

SERU has commenced work on a high profile ESRC project 'The Impact of Gender Innovation on Regional Technology, Economy & Society'. The project will directly support and further promote the UK Government’s Science and Technology key objectives and the DTI Science and Society Programme, with the aim of promoting innovation and greater participation by women in the SET labour market. To view the full press release, please click here.

01 January 2005 > HE ESF National Project is Underway

The New Year sees the start of a prestigious new project for SERU - the HE ESF National Project 'SET Innovation Equality', which will investigate issues relating to inequality in the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) labour market. To view the full press release, please click here.

13 October 2004 > SERU at the Spirit of Innovation Awards 2004

For the fifth year running, the University’s Small Enterprise Research Unit (SERU) has supported a competition which celebrates the North East’s inventions and cutting edge ideas.

Entries for the the Spirit of Innovation Awards were attracted from a record 90 competitors but there were five winners who impressed the judges most with new products and services, each presented with an accolade and a cash prize.

To view the full article, please click here.