Biography

David Rae is a leader, researcher and practitioner in academic enterprise. He has been appointed as Professor of Business & Enterprise and Director of the Enterprise Research & Development Unit at the University of Lincoln from June 2006, following his work as Director of Enterprise Development at The Derbyshire Business School, University of Derby since 2001. He was awarded a PhD in Entrepreneurial Learning from the Nottingham Trent University, and his innovative research in this area has been recognised through numerous publications and awards for international research excellence in the past three years. He holds a M.Ed in Training & Development from the University of Sheffield and a BA (Hons) in English & History from the University of Bristol. His pre-academic career included running a management development and consulting business; working in Government responsible for training & enterprise; and in multimedia publishing. His new book, ‘Entrepreneurship – from opportunity to action’, has been published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2007.

Teaching

David Rae teaches on post-graduate and post-experience enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes, as well as working with students and graduates who are developing new business ventures. He is also active in making new connections between enterprise learning and career development.

Research Interests and Activities

• Innovation and entrepreneurship: how does the entrepreneurial organisation innovate? A study of cases based on entrants to the National Business Awards, including both corporate organisations and independent firms
• The low cost airline sector in the UK: entrepreneurial management strategy or business orthodoxy?
• Entrepreneurial career patterns – graduate and mid-career entrepreneurial choices

Recent Publications and Conference Contributions

Journal Articles

‘Unternehmerisches Lernen: ein narrativgestütztes konzeptuelles Modell’ (Entrepreneurial learning: a narrative-based conceptual model
Zeitschrift fur KMU & Entrepreneurship, 54. 3. 2006 pp 197-220 Universitat St Gallen, Schweiz

‘Entrepreneurial learning – a model for technology based entrepreneurs’ Technology Analysis & Strategic Management 2006, vol 18 no 1

‘Entrepreneurial learning: a narrative-based conceptual model’ Journal of Small Business & Enterprise Development’ Vol 12 No 3, pp323-335

‘Cultural diffusion: a formative process in creative entrepreneurship?’ International Journal of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Vol 6 no 3 pp 185-192. August 2005

‘Mid-career entrepreneurial learning’ ‘Education and Training’ , Vol 47 No 8-9, 2005, pp562-574

‘Entrepreneurial learning: a practical model from the creative industries’
Education & Training, Vol 46 No 8-9, 2004

Practical theories from entrepreneurs’ stories: discursive approaches to entrepreneurial learning, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol 11 no 2 pp 195-202
winner of Emerald Literati Club research excellence award 2005

‘Opportunity centred learning: an innovation in enterprise education?’
‘Education and Training’ , Vol 45 No 8/9, 2003, pp542-549

‘Entrepreneurial emergence: a narrative study of entrepreneurial learning in independently owned media businesses’
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2002, vol 3 no. 1 Feb, pp.53-59. ISSN: 14657503

‘EasyJet: a case of entrepreneurial management?’, Strategic Change, Vol10, 2001, pp 325-336

‘How to develop entrepreneurial learning in organisations: the HR role’

Conference Papers

‘The role of an entrepreneurial learning team in creating an enterprise culture in a university’  Paper presented and won Best Paper award at European Foundation for Management Development 36th Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business (EISB) Conference, Southampton, 6-8 September 2006 and Best Enterprise Education paper at 29th Institute for Small Business Affairs Entrepreneurship & SME Development conference, Cardiff, 1 November 2006

‘Achieving business focus: promoting the entrepreneurial management capabilities of owner-managers’
Paper presented at European Foundation for Management Development 36th Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business (EISB) Conference, Southampton, 6-8 September 2006.

‘Mid-career entrepreneurial learning – an exploratory study’
Won Best Enterprise Education paper at 28th Institute for Small Business Affairs Entrepreneurship & SME Development conference, Blackpool, 2-4 November 2005

‘Mid-career entrepreneurial learning’
Won Best Paper Award (1st rank) at the IntEnt 2005 (Internationalizing Entrepreneurship Education & Training) Conference, University of Guildford, July 2005

‘Entrepreneurial learning: a narrative-based conceptual model’
Presented at 27th Institute for Small Business Affairs Entrepreneurship & SME Development conference, Newcastle, 2-4 November 2004
Won Barclays & ISBA awards for best enterprise education paper, Institute for Small Business Affairs 27th national conference, Nov 2004
‘How does opportunity recognition connect with entrepreneurial learning?’
Paper presented at: International Council for Small Business 49th World Conference, Johannesburg, June 20-23, 2004

‘Entrepreneurial learning: a conceptual model based on narrative analysis of entrepreneurs’ life stories in the creative and media industry’
Presented at: Entrepreneurship Research Workshop, University of Nottingham Institute for Enterprise & Innovation, 7 June 2004

‘Practical theories from entrepreneurs’ stories: Discursive approaches to entrepreneurial learning’ won best research paper award at International Council for Small Business 48th World Conference, Belfast, June 2003

Books

‘The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Learning to unlock value.’
Blackhall Publishing, Dublin, 1999

‘Entrepreneurship – from opportunity to action’
Palgrave MacMillan, 2007

Professional Membership

Member, Chartered Management Institute
Chartered Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development

David Rae is a member of the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Small Business & Enterprise Development, a Business Champion for East Midlands Business Champions, a judge on the National Business Awards, and a mentor for the Prince’s Trust