Researcher Workshops: Innovation Primer
This interactive workshop will guide researchers through a journey of entrepreneurial self-discovery, opportunity framing, and purpose-led innovation. Participants will explore their entrepreneurial mindset, learn to identify and validate diverse opportunity types, and reflect on how their research can drive meaningful impact across commercial, social, and environmental dimensions while preparing for deeper engagement in programmes such as Researcher Launchpad and Venture Builder.
Gain a visual self-assessment of entrepreneurial strengths
Identify market gaps and research-driven opportunities
Explore creative ideation based on your research theme
Create a Visual Business Card to articulate your research’s value and impact
By the end of this workshop, you should be able to:
Assess and reflect on entrepreneurial competencies
Identify and frame opportunities through multiple lenses: means-driven, market gaps, and technology push
Generate and evaluate ideas using creative thinking and AI tools
Understand the role of sustainability and purpose in innovation.
Communicate research impact through a concise, visually engaging format
Facilitators
Dr Suneel Kunamaneni, Senior lecturer in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Dr Laura Etchells, Enterprise Business Development Manager, MEC
Joana Carneiro, Enterprise Innovation Administrator, MEC
Materials
You will receive a copy of the workshop slides, Visual Business Card template, and curated links to opportunity-spotting and visual storytelling resources.
Find out more about MEC's full offering for researchers by exploring our Researcher Pathway.
Please sign up to this event on the Training Catalogue
Open to PGR and Staff only.