4 September 2023 | Tallinn
Last week, Nelli went to the ESU summer school that took her to the heart of Estonia. For one week, she had the opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship, guided by a diverse group of experts and scholars in the field. There, she could make aware of her topic by presenting her research proposal and the project WE.Lead, funded by the BMBF, and discuss with other researchers.
The journey kicked off in the picturesque city of Tartu, where the School of Economics and Business Administration welcomed the community with open arms. The first two days were a whirlwind of knowledge and insights. They explored entrepreneurship from a design perspective and talked about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and process. Through interesting speeches and discussions, she gained a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey and its challenges. A panel discussion on the role of universities in nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems was also on the agenda, as well as entrepreneurship education, where they explored the evolving landscape of teaching entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the Entrepreneurial University Tour was a powerful reminder of how academia can play a vital role in real-world applications.
Workshop sessions provided a platform for PhD candidates to discuss their research projects. These sessions were not only helpful but also interesting, as she had the possibility to learn from her peers' diverse experiences and expertise.
The journey continued in Tallinn, the vibrant capital of Estonia, where the School of Business and Governance at Tallinn University hosted the next leg of their adventure. A conference day included a deep dive into the history and future of ESU, and researchers presented their studies, covering a range of topics within entrepreneurship. Sustainability in entrepreneurship research emerged as a central theme, highlighting the growing importance of responsible business practices.
A workshop on scientific article writing and communication with editors provided invaluable skills for future research endeavours and additionally, learning about Bayesian methods in empirical research expanded her methodological toolkit.
Of course, the ESU Summer School experience wasn't just about academia. They enjoyed a well-rounded program, complete with social and cultural activities. City tours, and dinners, including a gala dinner allowed them to immerse themselves in Estonian culture and build connections.
