Professor Sue Smith has an extensive track record of university-business engagement, student enterprise and entrepreneurship. Sue’s interests are SMEs and regional development and the civic role universities play in helping the SME sector to thrive and grow. She is interested in place-based socio-economic models such as the circular economy and the Preston model.

Her academic research focuses on using social learning theories and Communities of Practice to look at the impact of entrepreneurial learning and the relationship between universities/business/Government and the impact on the regional economy. This research-informed practice-based work enables real impact for businesses including social enterprises and co-operatives and student start-ups