ESU conferences

Abstract submission deadline extended to May 16th!!

We are thrilled to announce the dates for the next ESU 2025 Conference and Doctoral Programme to be held at Southampton Solent University on September 1-6, 2025.

Watch the video to see why this will be a conference worth attending: a personal invitation from Southampton Solent University Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Academic Strategy and Planning below:

Video invitation from SSU Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Academic Strategy and Planning.

ESU Concept

The aim of ESU is to strengthen European research and networks in entrepreneurship by focusing both on academic sessions and on the culture and heritage that the host country and region have to offer.

ESU also provides a friendly environment for young scholars to interact and bond within the research community, and to learn important skills for their future careers. At ESU, supervisors, researchers, and doctoral students from international institutions, active in entrepreneurship research and education, come together to share experiences and create new international networks, in a supportive environment.

The ESU Doctoral Programme is organized in the following format:

1. Plenary sessions on specific topics with keynote speakers who will inspire and invite critical reflection on a variety of topics related to entrepreneurship. The topics typically include topical topics on entrepreneurship, innovative methodologies, publication and review process, career in academia and beyond with your PhD in entrepreneurship.
2. Group discussions and presentations where you will have the opportunity to present your work in your group, discuss the work of your peers, and receive feedback from experienced scholars.

There will be three groups for the doctoral programme:

• Early-Stage Group: Students in this group have not started their doctoral studies or are in their first year. They present their research proposals.
• Work in Progress Group: Students in this group are in the middle of their PhD studies and will present their early-stage research.
• Writing-up group: Students in this group are close to completing their PhD research and will present their result papers.

Participating in the ESU Doctoral Programme and completing all its tasks gives you up to 6 ECTS equivalent. The detailed description of the tasks is described here.

The Conference Day

In addition to the Doctoral Programme, the ESU Conference offers regular conference tracks open to all attendees. All presentations will take place on the Conference Day, Wednesday 3^rd September 2025. In particular, we invite the following scholars to send their papers:

• Postdocs (holding a postdoctoral position). They are invited to present their own work and act as speakers in the conference sessions. They can also be invited to act as junior coaches for PhD students and have some dedicated group presentations.
• Academics (Professors/Lecturers) are invited to present their own paper in the conference sessions. They can be invited as senior coaches for PhD students in group sessions and act, in some cases, as a keynote in plenary sessions.

ESU2025 Schedule

Collaboration with ECSB                

ESU 2025 is supported by the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB). Each year, ESU awards prizes to the best articles in each group of the doctoral programme.

The winners of the best-paper award (the first author of each article) receive as a prize a one-year ECSB membership, which grants access to the network and the different initiatives it organises throughout the year, such as webinars, paper development workshops and access to information on the main ECSB conferences.

Registration and Venue

Where is ESU2025 taking place?

Southampton United Kingdom.

Southampton is a vibrant and lively port city in the South of England. It is located about 80 miles (130km) from London. With a blend of a maritime heritage, modern attraction, and vibrant cultural scene, Southampton is worth visiting. More information about Southampton, please click here.

Conference Venue

The ESU 2025 Conference will take place at Southampton Solent University (SSU), Southampton, United Kingdom.

SSU is all about creating opportunities: for its students, for its staff, for its partners. It offers expertise and experiences you couldn’t get anywhere else, opening doors and making introductions. The University focused on the practical side of higher education – giving its students the connections, experience and confidence to turn their newfound knowledge into a career with real, meaningful impact (Southampton Solent University, 2024).

SSU achieved the highest standard in the latest national TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) review. This Gold award recognises student experience and outcomes which are typically outstanding.

SSU is located in the heart of Southampton city centre and within walking distance of Southampton Central train station.

More information about Southampton Solent University can be accessed here.

The address of the conference venue is the Spark Building, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YN.

ESU 2025 registration fees

Early registration (until 18^th July 2025 31st July 2025):

Academic registration fee: £375

Doctoral students registration fee: £325

Late registration (after 18^th July 202531st July 2025):

Academic registration fee: £425

Doctoral students registration fee: £375

Registration

Link to register: https://eshop.solent.ac.uk/product-catalogue/public-and-alumni-services/conference-centre/esu-2025-conference-and-doctoral-programme-registration

Accommodation suggestions

Hotels near Southampton Solent University (SSU).

1. Leonardo Hotel Southampton (4-star hotel), Charlotte Place Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.2 mile. Website: Leonardo Hotel Southampton
2. Premier Inn Southampton City Centre hotel (3-star hotel), New Road Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.2 mile. Website: Premier In Southampton City Centre
3. Premier Inn Southampton (Cumberland Place) hotel (3-star hotel), Cumberland Place Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.4 mile. Website: Premier Inn Southampton (Cumberland Place) hotel
4. Novotel Southampton (4-star hotel), 1 Westquay Road Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.7 mile. Website: Novotel Southampton
5. Ibis Budget Southampton Centre (2-star hotel), 3 Westquay Road Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.7 mile. Website: Ibis Budget Southampton Centre
6. Holiday Inn (4-star hotel), Herbert Walker Avenue Southampton. Distance to SSU: 0.8 mile. Website: Holiday Inn

Submission Information & Publication Opportunity

Important Dates

18^th April 16th May 2025: Deadline for submission of abstracts

4^th 30th July 2025: Deadline for submission of full papers

18^th July 2025 31st July 2025: Deadline for early registration (see registration information in the corresponding section)

15 August 2025: Registration closes

Submission of abstracts

For both the PhD Programme and the Conference: 500 words abstract, single spacing, Times New Roman 12pt, first capital letters in title, no more than ten words in title, no reference list. Since all abstracts are reviewed using a double-blind review process, it is mandatory that no names or contact details appear in the text (other than in the appropriate fields of the template).

A template of the abstract is available here (Abstract-TemplateESU2025), please ensure that you use it for submission.

Please email your abstract to: esu.2025@solent.ac.uk

Submission of full papers

A template of the full paper is available here: (PaperTemplate ESU2025)

Please send your paper by email to: esu.2025@solent.ac.uk

The length limit for the paper varies depending on the nature of your submission (Please specify what kind of paper you submit):

PhD Programme:

• Research proposal: it includes the main scope of the study, and the discussion should circle around the purpose, aim, potential research question and choices of method. A full version of the research proposal should not exceed 2.500 words.
• Developmental papers (research papers that are still in the early phase): a paper that is still only consisting of a research question and a theoretical framework, or a paper that has started on the analysis but not yet been completed. The maximum limit of an extended version of a work in progress should not exceed 4.000 words.
• Results paper (papers that are in the end of the PhD process): it consists of a presentation and discussion of the results of the study, as well as including some concluding analysis. The maximum limit of an extended version of the results paper should not exceed 4.000 words.

Conference Day:

• Full paper: a research paper ready for submission to a journal or equivalent. These papers will be presented at the Conference Day on Wednesday 3 September 2025 (7.000 words).

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

We are thrilled to announce that a new book within the «European Research in Entrepreneurship series» will be published by Edward Elgar, including contributions from ESU2025, with a focus on Literature Reviews.

Please read the Call for book chapters-Guide to Literature Reviews. If interested in contributing, please indicate it when submitting your abstract. Contributions carrying out a literature review (including systematic LR, Integrative LR, synthesis of qualitative reviews, meta-analysis, bibliometric analysis …) on an entrepreneurship topic are welcome.

Local Organizing Committee

If you have any questions, please contact us at esu.2025@solent.ac.uk. We look forward to receiving your submissions and your attendance at ESU2025.